Gen Y - Program and Curriculum Guide

Section II: Unit 5: Digital Media

  • Analog and Digital Equipment
  • Digital Graphics
  • Digital Audio
  • Digital Video

Unit 5 contains:

  • Overview
  • The Gen Y View
  • Project ideas
  • Terms to know
  • 10 Infopages (handouts, quizzes, scripts, etc. on CD-ROM and online)
  • Standards
  • Activities with Prioritized Objectives
  • 4 Lesson Plans - for one or more classroom periods. Each with:
    • Materials
    • Pre-lesson checklist
    • Background information
    • Procedures
  • Assessment (print and online)
  • Activity extensions
  • Related issues
  • Teacher Toolkit
  • Alternate activities if hardware is not working

Sample Sections

Unit 5: Digital Media Overview

"Einstein admitted that he did not think in words, but visual images. His early formulations for the theory of relativity came in images of himself riding a light wave. Only later did he come to words."

�Judith Fueyo, "Language Arts Classrooms: Spaces Where Anything Can Happen," Writing Teacher, September 1991

The arrival of inexpensive digital technologies, such as digital still and video cameras, scanners, CD, DVD, and other high-capacity digital storage systems, has rapidly accelerated the conversion of analog images to digital format. This conversion, in turn, has been largely responsible for the explosive growth of computer-based multimedia as a form of both educational and artistic expression.

Our students interpret their worlds and represent their learning with more than words. Digital technology makes up the Language Arts of today; it invites and encourages teachers and students to include graphics, sound, and movies in their teaching and learning. Literacy must include many new skills and address the different types of "reading and writing" required of our students. Printers of today include computer monitors, VCRs, SmartBoards, and many other technologies. Digital expertise is an essential skill for the information age.

This unit introduces Generation Y students to digital media tools and software that enable them to create and manipulate graphics, audio, and video files. The ability to successfully capture and use digital media files will substantially contribute to the efficacy and quality of Generation www.Y projects.

Activities & Prioritized Objectives

Following the completion of Unit 5, students will be able to:

Activity 1�Analog and Digital Equipment
1.1 Understand the difference between digital and analog
1.2 Identify digital and analog technology available in the school
1.3 Access Web-based resources for information on equipment and graphic-design resources
Activity 2�Digital Graphics
2.1 Learn how to use resources (equipment will vary):
digital still camera
scanner
laser discs and player
visual presenter (light table)
draw and paint programs
Web-based collections or libraries
2.2 Follow basic photography guidelines
2.3

Use resolution guidelines
2.4 Compile a personal library of digital files using available resources
2.5 Employ software to download, edit, produce, and manipulate digital files
2.6 Identify and use different file formats
Activity 3�Digital Audio
3.1 Learn how to use resources (equipment will vary): audio equipment (Music CDs, sound libraries, microphones)
3.2 Compile a personal library of digital files using available resources
3.3 Employ software to download, edit, create original graphics, and manipulate digital files
3.4 Identify and use different file formats
Activity 4�Digital Video
4.1 Learn how to use resources (equipment will vary): video cameras (analog and digital)
4.2 Follow basic guidelines for producing video
4.3 Compile a personal library of digital video files using available resources
4.4 Employ software to download, edit, produce, and manipulate movie files
4.5 Identify and use different file formats