Best Moment Using Technology

As a way of culminating our media unit, in which we study the techniques the media uses to sell their products, my seventh grade Honors class breaks into groups, are given a generic product (such as breakfast cereal), and then compete against other groups to create the best name, flavor, and commercial to sell their product to a specific target audience. The group designs the set, the product, etc. and videotapes their commercial, edits it with software, adds sound effects, music, credits etc. and then we watch the commercials and vote. I was so impressed with the students the first year I did this, and it is always the students’ most favorite unit of the year. Watching these videos with these kids and laughing with them makes me appreciate the time and work that goes into the unit.

I always have to ensure that the media specialist is available everyday that we use the equipment because inevitably something goes wrong. The first two years I did this project, I also requested help from a student at St. Johns/St Bens who is willing to donate time in exchange for a letter of recommendation or volunteer hours. It’s a crazy time because everyone demands help and the hour is exhausting. But the final result is fun. I only do this project with my Honors kids and all the other classes are hurt by this, and that bothers me. However the time is so demanding on us (and the equipment), I can’t imagine doing it with more than one class at a time.