Lights, Camera, GVTV

    Media convergence is a popular buzz word. Encyclopedia Britannica defines it as “a phenomenon involving the interconnection of information, communication, and media content through computer networks.” Magazines, newspapers, television, and movies all blended into one package accessed via the internet with your computer, tablet, or smart phone.
     Grain Valley High School has embraced stepping into the 21st century with Grain Valley Television. Teachers Michelle Kennedy and Marcee McElwain are the facilitators guiding students through their hands-on learning experience. GVTV is entering its third year of doing print and broadcast out of the same classroom with the same group of students.
    “I went to a journalism convention four years ago in Indianapolis. I sat in on some workshops with innovative educators who were involved in convergence. I was taught print journalism. Period. When I came home, I met with Marcee McElwain, our broadcast and video teacher. This brainchild came from her and I feeling that students deserved better (not being isolated in different media classrooms),” Kennedy said.
     “We’ve had a couple of our students go on to Mizzou’s journalism school. They are teaching convergence there as well. All the conversations I’ve had with professors at the journalism department in Columbia said that this was the current trend. They affirmed that getting students to learn InDesign as well as Adobe Premier for making videos, writing print pieces, and learning to promote through social media their stories would be a good thing. It puts them a step ahead or other students who enter journalism at the college level who have not been taught both sides.”
     Several things become noticeable upon visiting the GVTV classroom. Students are involved in collaboration, using technology, learning from mistakes, and are responsible for completing their roles with guidance more than direct instruction. The learning environment that has attracted both genders to the program.
     “The thing that makes this classroom attractive to both student genders is the merge that has taken place. The video class use to be predominantly boys. My journalism class use to be slanted towards girls with only a few boys in the class. We have found that both groups of students have enjoyed everything from being on air, and editing, to writing and taking photographs. Students are learning that they don’t have to be typecast to just one thing. They are growing in understanding they can be good at something they’ve been told that they wouldn’t necessarily be good at,” Kennedy said.
     Students within the GVTV program describe it as news in the hands of students through peer interaction. Members of the class enjoy trying to get the news out in a fun and entertaining way to capture the audience’s attention through humor and information. Seniors Jackson Sallee and Gavin Oyler shared their thoughts on what its like to be a part of the class.
     “Our sports broadcasting program that started last year has become productive. I feel we have some quality content that’s making its way to live streaming. I think taking over sports from the NFHS Network, which is a paid subscription, will make sports more accessible to our viewers for people who can’t always make it to the game because they can watch it on YouTube,” Sallee said.
     “People are starting to recognize the name of the program around town. The other day we posted our new intro and before I got home my Dad had texted me to tell me it was funny. This comes with pressure. If you slack off and don’t get your work done, people will notice because it’s assigned to you. This is a workplace type atmosphere where there are deadlines and it exposes you to adult life,” Oyler said.
     GVTV is also learning how to take on challenges that come their way. Pushing to get a weekly show broadcasted is not without growing pains. Finding time to publish an equal amount of content compared to what’s done on the television side is a balancing act. The skill of time management gets used frequently in trying to balance quality with quantity in what gets produced.
     Exposing students to their field outside of Grain Valley is an area Kennedy is passionate about.
     “I’ve been really fortunate. I get to share my love for journalism with my students. Being able to expose them to things outside of Grain Valley is one of the biggest gifts that I’ve been given. I get to take them to places like MU, Action 41 News, and the Kansas City Star. This fall will be our fourth year that we’ve gotten to take students on a trip. We are going to Washington D.C. This opportunity would not be possible without the support of my administration and our district,” Kennedy said.
     Memories for students that last forever along with impressionable lessons are the goals of Kennedy and McElwain with venturing outside of Grain Valley.
     The class is trying to pick up sponsors for live television broadcasts as well as Eagle TV weekly. Interested parties may contact Mrs. Kennedy or Mrs. McElwain through their Grain Valley School District email address.
 
     Grain Valley Eagle Media Staff Introduction for 2019-2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHw0vNVHPHo
    
 

​GVTV News Staff (left to right): GVHS teachers Michelle Kennedy, Marcee McElwain, sophomores Jordan Casey and Aden Gilette.    
Photo credit: Valley News staff

Students at work in GVTV classroom.      
Photo credit: Valley News staff
 

Left to right: Seniors Gavin Oyler and Jackson Sallee are a part of the GVTV staff.
“This is a workplace type atmosphere where there are deadlines and it exposes you to adult life,” Oyler said.              
Photo credit: Valley News staff