I would like to address upfront that I interviewed my father, Dan Heath. I understand that this is likely frowned upon considering the point of this assignment–however, that being said, my father is a digital media and video production teacher, and thus is the ideal teacher for this particular interview.
First, I asked Mr. Heath about the technology he currently has available. His class currently has seven HP laptops, two iPad 2's, two Canon video cameras, various lights/microphones/sound recording equipment, a green screen, Adobe Premium Pro for video editing, an LCD projector, and nine older Nikon digital cameras that operate with varied success. Given that the title of the class is literally "Digital Media and Video Production," Dan said that the technology he has available is essential to the class's existence.
I then asked Dan how he obtains the equipment. Very little of it is actually purchased by the school. Mr. Heath is a member of CTE, or the Career Tech Education program, through which submits requests for grant money. Before he joined this program, he was limited to applying to local grants.
He informed me that the importance of the class is the first-hand experience the kids receive. Many of his students are interested in pursuing careers in digital media production, and this class gives them access and hands-on experience with much of the same equipment and programs they will encounter in those future careers. Furthermore, kids not interested in that area of further study still benefit by improving their digital media literacy in a rapidly evolving world that is becoming more and more digital media savvy everyday. "This class will hopefully make them more informed consumers and more skilled employees in the workforce," Dan said.
If he had any needs, it would be increased support and recognition of the importance of his class from his administration. Digital media literacy is a skill set that is becoming more and more essential, and not enough low-income kids have access to the technology necessary to grow in this area.
First, I asked Mr. Heath about the technology he currently has available. His class currently has seven HP laptops, two iPad 2's, two Canon video cameras, various lights/microphones/sound recording equipment, a green screen, Adobe Premium Pro for video editing, an LCD projector, and nine older Nikon digital cameras that operate with varied success. Given that the title of the class is literally "Digital Media and Video Production," Dan said that the technology he has available is essential to the class's existence.
I then asked Dan how he obtains the equipment. Very little of it is actually purchased by the school. Mr. Heath is a member of CTE, or the Career Tech Education program, through which submits requests for grant money. Before he joined this program, he was limited to applying to local grants.
He informed me that the importance of the class is the first-hand experience the kids receive. Many of his students are interested in pursuing careers in digital media production, and this class gives them access and hands-on experience with much of the same equipment and programs they will encounter in those future careers. Furthermore, kids not interested in that area of further study still benefit by improving their digital media literacy in a rapidly evolving world that is becoming more and more digital media savvy everyday. "This class will hopefully make them more informed consumers and more skilled employees in the workforce," Dan said.
If he had any needs, it would be increased support and recognition of the importance of his class from his administration. Digital media literacy is a skill set that is becoming more and more essential, and not enough low-income kids have access to the technology necessary to grow in this area.