Oak Grove School focuses on Digital Learning

When families are asked why they chose Oak Grove School for their children’s education, Superintendent, Dr. Lonny Lemon, reports that a pattern emerges. “They like the fact that students in grades K–8 are all housed in the same building, and they like the fine arts program that begins in kindergarten. They are thrilled with all the access to technology including a video production room available to students.”

Dr. Jason Meltzer, 6th–8th media production teacher and district technology coach, has played a major role in supporting the teachers at Oak Grove and teaching digital arts to students. In his role as a technology coach, he helps teachers integrate a wide variety of technology tools into their programs.  They often ask Dr. Meltzer to help with graphic, audio, and video production. Many times teachers will create the footage and reach out to him to put it all together for publication or online viewing. Other times, Dr. Meltzer helps integrate technology with students in his 6th–8th-grade digital arts classes. Topics for these classes are Introduction to Digital Arts, Programming, Multimedia, Digital Video Production, and Filmmaking.

Based on their grade level, students are exposed to different ways in which technology can be used to enhance their learning. For example, in 2nd grade the art teacher, Erin Vance, has students create their own version of Edvard Munch’s  The Scream. Dr. Meltzer then assists with the students coming into the production room where a picture is taken with them “screaming” in front of a green screen. The students then combine the two images on their iPads. The result is a slideshow that loops on a hallway monitor for students and visitors to enjoy. You can see the project here: https://bit.ly/2KSVznK

There are in fact two large-screen monitors mounted in the building that play a variety of student-made video projects from Dr. Meltzer’s classes as well as videos from other curricular areas and school-wide events. Also playing on the monitor are short videos using the same green screen, supporting the school’s annual Multicultural Day. Students at Oak Grove come from diverse backgrounds. This project, supported by the SEL department, gave the students a chance to share a bit about their language, culture, and to share facts about their native countries. See the project here: https://bit.ly/2FZ4UvB

Students in drama classes also use technology in a variety of ways to reflect and critique performances. Melanie Ludington, the drama teacher, records videos of rehearsals so students can improve and then later share their performances such as these 7th grade short plays written by the students: https://bit.ly/2SogVMm, or these 2nd graders flying like Peter Pan, https://bit.ly/2BPj0vc.  “The Day the Crayons Quit” book came to life as well: https://bit.ly/2rkZQaL.  Video is also incorporated into the annual 8th-grade musical, such as this scene from Singing in the Rainhttps://bit.ly/2SuRSHA.

Students in music and band take advantage of their 1:1 devices. Younger students use their iPads to compose music and play online ukulele accompaniments with their music teacher, Logan Farris. Dave Jones, the band director, has his students video their playing tests on their laptops while at home. They upload these videos to his Google Classroom site for assessment. This strategy saves valuable rehearsal time and allows Mr. Jones to write back private comments about their performances.

In Dr. Meltzer’s 6th–8th-grade classes, students are exposed to more sophisticated programs and multimedia topics. Students use a variety of high-end software, professional microphones, and cameras to create high-quality projects. In these classes, Dr. Meltzer structures these classes so that students can help teach each other. For example, some students are better shooting video while others are better at graphic design, music composition, or web programming. A small sample of recently created student projects can be seen here: https://goo.gl/gpdkXh

All of these opportunities build student skills, allowing them to not only become comfortable with advanced software but to assist in creation that benefits the school. In November, Oak Grove had a Veteran’s Day ceremony where students ran the various video cameras and digital mixers that collected footage to be edited into a celebratory video to be shared with those that could not attend live. View it here: https://goo.gl/TbD8gW

The learning does not stop when school is over. Dr. Meltzer has started a stop-motion after-school club and offers a summer camp for music video production with Logan Farris: http://bit.ly/2ASD8es

Not only does Oak Grove offer many opportunities to explore the arts at a very early age, but the teachers also have coaches on board to help technology fit in with ease.

To learn more about the history of the new computer lab and production studio, check out this video: https://goo.gl/qB6GqS

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