Screencastify (https://www.screencastify.com/) is an extension for recording and editing videos. Students and staff in Granite School District now have unlimited recording and editing when they sign in to Screencastify with their @granitesd.org Google accounts.
Did you know that there is a video editor already installed and available on all PCs with the Windows 10 operating system? It is found in the Photos app, and although a slightly hidden feature it is very functional and simple to use. It includes all the video editing basics you would expect, as well as inking and animated special effect options that students and teachers can use to quickly polish or spice up a video. [Read more…] about Featured Resource: Windows 10 Video Editor
Why write a report on the Great Wall of China or the Egyptian Pyramids when you can be there as a news reporter telling about it?
You can do that with the magic of green screen video effects! Meteorologists use green screen effects when reporting on the weather. You and your students can create green screen videos using a few simple things.
Post created by Teresa Bruin, district educational technology specialist and team leader, originally appearing in our November 2017 Ed. Tech. Monthly Newsletter for Teachers.
Breaking news! All Salt Lake City news reporters and anchors just may have their job security challenged due to some up and coming talent…hungry for reporting the news. That’s right! Truman News Network, or TNN, is currently taking up residence at Truman Elementary in Taylorsville. Student council members as well as guest reporters tell it like it is every week. Their well-received news cast is filled with information about the weather, sports, holidays, special events, book of the week, word of the day, staff and employee interviews, and the habit of the week. What is the habit of the week, you may ask? Well, on top of all the other awesome things going on at Truman Elementary, they are also a “Seven Habits of Happy Kids” school, wherein they review key ingredients of being successful in life!
TNN is organized by Tiffany Pontius, the School Technology Specialist for Truman Elementary. What could be an overwhelming and daunting task is smooth sailing due to Tiffany’s awesome organization and procedural planning. The best thing about this is that Tiffany prepares her students to be in charge of the news programs. This includes choosing the stories, writing the scripts, and deciding what props and backgrounds to use in place of the green screen when filming and editing. It is purely a situation of a student-led activity. No “sage on the stage” for Tiffany! 
She simply facilitates this well-oiled machine of news and information. She has used her skills as a top-notch educator to empower her 6th grade TNN members so that they gain confidence in running the news segments.
How do they do it? It all begins with a storyboard. Students choose what assignments they will have for the upcoming news cast during “staff meetings.” Reporters are then on the hunt for the news that will enlighten and inform the students. The student anchors create the script and film the leads. As soon as all of the elements are completed, one of the students edits the footage at home using WeVideo.
When asked the most challenging aspects of this project, the students replied, “…being able to film without laughing…getting everyone on the same page…and finding a time when all are able to meet.” What a terrific way to teach students how to collaborate in an authentic setting!
They also commented that the best thing about TNN is “…being on camera…writing the scripts…editing…hanging out with their friends…and working with Miss Pontius.” We would like to thank Tiffany for being a vital part of Granite School District. Her willingness to go the extra mile with her students and allow them to experience project-based learning, collaboration, problem solving, and creativity in the classroom should be celebrated.
Be sure to visit Truman TNN on YouTube!
Spotlight Created by Pam Moeai, Educational Technology Specialist and Team Leader.
Best Buy provides $2 million in community grants to nonprofit organizations that provide teens with places and opportunities to develop 21st century technology skills that will inspire future education and career choices.
Examples of program activities include:
For full details about the Best Buy grant and to access all the links, please CLICK HERE.
How to Apply
Our department’s monthly newsletter was recently sent out to all teachers in Granite School District. If you missed it you can also access it here.
This summer’s highlights include:
You must be logged in to post a comment.