Technology Gets the Spotlight in School District DVD

What better way to show the technology and academic progress of a school district than through the use of technology itself?

At the May 1 Upper Moreland School Board's Programs and Services committee meeting, two presentations were made, both showcased the school district’s advancement of technology and academic rigor, and both were in a DVD format.

John DeFranco, Upper Moreland Middle School Framework Leader, presented the first video, which was described as, “Technology Education DVD” in the meeting’s agenda.

The DVD was in response to the school board’s request of documenting the new technology implemented this year, specifically the pathways such technology created from the Middle School to the High School, with the intent of releasing the film to the public.

“We’re very excited about the video,” DeFranco said.

DeFranco said the video highlights the pathways from the elementary grades to the high school for both career and college readiness.

Throughout the approximately 8-minute video, professionals working in related technology-driven industries, including engineering and communications, discussed expectations and standards of their respective industries.

“I wish I was a young student now, because of the opportunity each student has to make their skill sets deep and strong,” one professional videographer, still photographer and video editor said in the video.

He explained that students would need a strong software skill set in order to pursue jobs in the communications industry, such as familiarity with various Adobe products.

“Upper Moreland really has given me all the opportunities to be successful in the communications field,” Upper Moreland High School junior and said in the video.

Aside from learning how to use cutting-edge editing and production software, Gavin, in the video, continued to describe the benefits of being able to attend his school’s public speaking classes, as well as participate with school activities, such as his involvement in the high school’s broadcasting services.

Students interested in pursuing the communications career path work with the high school’s educational video producer and media technologist Tony Gauker, who was also instrumental in producing the Technology Education DVD, as well as the following presentation’s Framework DVD.

The school district did not say when the Technology DVD will be released for widespread public viewing, however, it is expected to be made available on the district’s website.

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A report on the school district’s Framework for Continuous Improvement 10 year anniversary DVD will be published tomorrow morning. To get a news alert for when that article comes out, sign up for the Patch newsletter here.