Exploring Technology

I chose to explore my Cannon Hi 8 camcorder. The camera is probably outdated, but it is amazing how many options one can use. I was interested in using the menu and finding all of the possible uses of the camera.
First, I looked at the different combinations of camera settings and explored Sports, Portrait, Sand and Snow, Low Light, and Easy Recording. Then I explored White Balance, which is a system that compensates for a wide range of lighting conditions. This allows one to have colors to appear natural in almost every situation. I did not have as much luck with this as I hoped. Dark light still appeared dark-I will have to practice this.
My camera has several settings for manipulating the recorded image in a variety of ways. I played around with using Close-Up and Art and Freeze. The Freeze capability was fun and adds fun to the film plus it is nice when recording a landscape to get a good look at it.
The digital mixing functions allow you to vary the transitions between scenes. The choices on my camera include Overlap, Scroll, Wipe, and Zoom Fade. I like the dissolve effect because this allows one picture to fade or dissolve into the other.
I enjoyed having the choice to explore this technology and will use what I have learned to video my students in different capacities. The next project I will video is my Environmental Club's President introducing our club to the area's eighth graders.

Achieving Standards and Personalization

A spot on the map that resonated with me was, "Achieving Standards and Personalization." Are our standards the correct standards? Are we measuring the right student performances? Particularly, I want to address the Value Added Assesment Standard. What is confusing to me is as we at Anderson County High have raised our scores on Gateways and End of Course tests, the Value Added assesments are lower or stay the same. What is Value Added?
During the early 80's William Sander's research led to the developement of Tennessee Value Added Assesment. The system is known as TVAAS, a statistical method of determining the effectiveness of school systems. When Gov. McWherter signed the Educational Improvement Act in 1992, the TVASS was adopted as the basis for the states' new educational accountablity system. What is the formula?
There seems to be variables with the TVAAS that cannot be measured perfectly, and according to Dr. Anne Lockwood, the senior program advisor for NWREL's Center for Classroom Teaching and Learning, "Everyway of measuring Value Added carries some assumptions. The assumptions won't be exactly right." What are these assumptions?
When we invited the Department of Education to come to speak to our school about Value Added, no one could give us a formula to follow to improve Value Added. We were told the formula was "copyrighted." When our neighboring High School's principal asked what strategies could be used to increase Value Added, there were none offered. I am always bewildered when our school has positive Gateway and End Of Course test scores yet rate lower on Value Added. It seems that when scores are already high, it is much harder to have high Value Added scores. Is this secret formula secret because of its dependency on assumptions about student's predicted successes?
It would take a book to write about what we as teachers do not know about Value Added Assessment. I would love to know more about the formula and how it is used. It would also be beneficial to have a clear answer to our questions about strategies to raise Value Added scores.

Using Think.com for Environmental Club

I plan on using Think.com with my Environmental Club. I am the sponsor of this club we call Roots. Our club focuses our attention on environmental concerns as well as beautification projects. We recently designed two flower beds for our entrance. We worked with local landscape businesses as well as our greenhouse teacher to come up with plants and flowers to be included in our project. We were involved in trail clean-up at Big South Fork National Park. We clean up coves at Norris Lake each spring. This site will probably connect us with other school's Environmental Clubs as well. Go to http://www.think.com/en/ for a look at what is available.