How Media Clubs Improve Schools (Preview) John Baird, M.Sc. Math Teacher Austin, TX
Jul 09, 2015
How Media Clubs Improve Schools (Preview)
John Baird, M.Sc.
Math Teacher
Austin, TX
Media Clubs
• This is a preview of the SXSWedu 2013 presentation
• The presentation focuses on the story of each club and the lessons that can be learned from each unique case
Student Publishing in NYC
Student Publishing in NYC
• Students from different backgrounds collaborated on their own art projects
• A quarter of the entire 8th grade
• Hosted a guest speaker– Kittyhawk, webcomic artist
• Support level: mostly positive– Most teachers, parents, and administrators, with
few exceptions
Anime Club at a Treatment Center
• No pictures due to privacy protections• Treatment center for mental health issues
– Emotional disturbance, etc.
• A primary source of media exposure in a highly restrictive environment– Common experience gave rise to a unique
meme
• Support level: Mixed– Treatment center staff, but not school officials
Asian Culture in Houston
Asian Culture in Houston• Combined student publishing with an
interest in events– Game tournaments (Yugioh, Pokemon, etc.)– A fan convention: RAMSCon
• A large percentage of first-time participants in after-school programming
• Support level: Mixed– A few teachers and many community leaders,
but no administrators or parents
Film Club in Austin• No pictures yet (Fall 2012 formed)
• 6th and 7th graders creating their own movies– Scripts, cameras, editing, acting, etc.
• Formed based on student interest
• Support level: high– Parents, teachers, and administrators all
pitching in
Outcomes• New York
– Two at-risk student members went on to high school
– Several members went on to continue creating their own work in high school
• RTC– Club was shut down by superintendent,
lessening the quality of life for residents– Several members got back into anime after
leaving the RTC
Outcomes
• Houston– Members have gone on to host events of their
own– Several are active in the local community
• Austin– To be determined!– Plans in place to expand to documentaries and
journalism