Teaching To The Test Pattern

Jennifer Gainesbuilt a student broadcast program that works. So naturally, she's about tochange it.Fresh off her LEAD CTAE graduation (the night before this recording), theStatesboro High School AVTF teacher sat down at the VidPod to talk about aseason of wins... and why next year she's stepping into territory she's nevertaught before.In this episode:- What LEAD CTAE actually is, and why Jennifer applied feeling "made formore beyond the classroom"- A year in the numbers: 12 episodes of SHS Spotlight and 8 live-streamedmorning announcement shows- Why her TikTok-raised ninth graders are pushing the program toward shortfilms- How a broadcast-side teacher prepares to teach filmmaking for the firsttime- Touring the Georgia Capitol, etiquette training, and the other surprisesinside LEAD CTAE- Joining the Student Television Network (STN) and what year two looks likeIf you're an AVTF or CTE teacher wondering whether your program's next chapterrequires you to become a student again, this conversation is for you.Teaching to the Test Pattern is a StreamSemester.com production. Subscribe formore conversations with the teachers building broadcast and film programsacross the Southeast.Find Jennifer's students' work on YouTube: Statesboro High School.

He coaches a two-time state champion broadcast team that just finished eighth in the nation... and his big secret isn't a drill or a piece of gear. It's that he refuses to hand out an easy grade.Jamey Trask from Fayette County High School sat down with Tom at the Georgia ACTE conference to talk about what it actually takes to build students who can write and stack a live show in 90 minutes. They get into the brutal math of the SkillsUSA Video News Production contest, the moment a grade stops mattering, and why the kids who get told "this isn't good enough, go fix it" end up thanking him for it.In this episode:- The SkillsUSA Video News Production contest broken down: 90 minutes, a stack of AP wire stories, one live take- Why "go back and redo it" builds more pride than any grade ever could- How 22 years in the room earns the kind of trust that lets a kid hear hard feedback- Turning daily announcements into a weekly show students actually want to watch- Putting the VidPod to work for student podcasts (video and all)- Teaching kids to interview: research first, then throw out your question list by question two- Using AI as a starting line, not a finish lineIf you run a broadcast or AV program and you have ever wondered whether holding the line on quality is worth the friction, this one is for you.New episodes of Teaching to the Test Pattern drop on StreamSemester.com. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation. StreamSemester.com.

He outproduced NASA. Seven cameras to their four at the Huntsville Space and Rocket Center. And at the end of the year, he sat down and told me he didn't think he grew.This conversation with Billy Dunn from Albertville Innovation Academy is one of the most honest things we've put on this podcast. Billy came from Fox 6 in Birmingham — gold standard broadcast — walked into a classroom, and is now three years in, running five jumbotrons across five sports, building a state-level AV teacher conference from scratch, and wondering if he's doing it right. The answer might surprise you.In this episode:- Why imposter syndrome in year three looks nothing like year one — and why that matters- What happened when Billy got a football jumbotron at 2pm for a 7pm game- How a student went from "how long does this have to be?" to defending a one-second strobe effect as her creative call- The Alabama AV Teachers Boot Camp — born from one honest admission: "I don't know what I'm doing. Let's have a conference."- Why Billy stopped asking when to teach frame rates — and what he's teaching instead- The HERC project and how covering a NASA moon buggy competition gave his students a real beat to workIf you're a few years into AV teaching and you're winning things while still feeling like you're losing, this one's for you.Teaching to the Test Pattern is a StreamSemester.com production. Subscribe so you don't miss the next episode, and head to StreamSemester.com for more resources built for AV and broadcast educators.

He shot highlights for ESPN as a teenager. He built a career across four TV stations in Birmingham. And he learned to do all of it because the guy who was supposed to show up one night... didn't.Mark Hendren is three years into the classroom at Helena High School in Alabama, and he's thinking hard about how to give today's students the same thing someone gave him: a reason to say yes before they're ready.In this episode:• Why "failure is not an option" means something completely different to this generation• The camera setup that students walk right past without looking up (and what that actually costs them)• What Mark calls his "gold" in the classroom, and it's not who you'd expect• Availability breeds opportunity, and the real story that proves it• Why it's supposed to be terrible, and how to actually convince a student of that• What year four looks like when you finally have a room you can lockIf you teach AV, broadcast, or any CTE class where students create rather than consume, this one's for you.Teaching to the Test Pattern is a StreamSemester.com production. Subscribe so you don't miss what's next.

He has more TV and radio credits than most working journalists — and nine months ago, he walked into a high school classroom and had to learn how to take attendance for the first time.Alex Jones spent seven years at WBRC 6 News in Birmingham across eighteen different roles, acted on Disney XD at 13, and ran a college radio station as general manager before teaching a single class at Thompson High School. This conversation is about what none of that prepared him for — and why he already has the thing that takes most teachers a decade.**In this episode:**- Why Alex volunteered to present at a statewide conference in his first year of teaching (and why that instinct matters)- The "about me" strategy he ran week one — and why it paid off in November- What happened after his students' first show (the answer is not what you'd expect)- The promise he made to a kid who didn't believe he was good enough to lead- What "year two" actually means when year one is survival- The difference between knowing your industry and knowing your kidsIf you teach AV, broadcast, or media production — especially in your first five years — this one is for you.Teaching to the Test Pattern is a StreamSemester.com production. Subscribe for new episodes featuring teachers, stories, and the real work of building broadcast programs in K-12.

The dean of a nationally accredited college journalism program just told me he isn't sure his faculty is teaching some of his students anything they don't already know.Tom sits down with David Marshall, Dean of the College of Media Arts and Communications at Savannah State University - the oldest public HBCU in Georgia - and the conversation goes to places most deans won't go. Three studentsfailed the senior capstone this semester. His first question wasn't about them. It was about what his program missed. That kind of accountability, from the top, is worth the full hour.In this episode:Why PowerPoints are dead in Whiting Hall — and what replaced themThe senior capstone class that has exactly one grade (an A) and industryjudges in the roomWhat digital-native students already know when they walk in the door, and the one thing they're missingThe $1.2 million investment in new technology — and why it was spent in two weeksHow the VidPod ended up in the JMC podcast center (and the dean's honest take on his early skepticism)What a "culture of care" actually looks like when it also includes a kick in the pants If you teach, advise, or send students toward careers in media and communications — this one reframes what the accountability conversation is supposed to sound like.Teaching to the Test Pattern is a StreamSemester.com production.Subscribe for new episodes featuring teachers, industry leaders, and the stories between the two.

What does a marketing teacher in Gwinnett County know about broadcast education? More thanyou'd expect. Tom sits down with Evan Rosenberry at Collins Hill High School — the first marketing teacher in Teaching to the Test Pattern history — and the conversation goes places. AIin the classroom, why banning it might be the worst thing you can do for your students, a student MLB franchise project that ended up in Seoul, Korea, and what happened when Evan handed his kids the VidPod and said "figure itout." Spoiler: they were ready to record before he even set a date. In this episode:Sports & Entertainment Marketing at the high school level — and why video is marketing nowUsing AI: (Gemini + Claude) the right way in the classroom, and why telling students not to use it at all is setting them up to failProject-based learning and what it reveals about your students that tests never willHow one semester of podcasting changed kids Evan had taught for three yearsThe VidPod at Collins Hill — covering a boys soccer team's run to the state final four If you teach, advise, or care about what students are walking out the door actually ready to do — this one's for you. Teaching to the Test Pattern is a StreamSemester.comproduction.Subscribe for new episodes featuring teachers, industryleaders, and the stories between the two.

Tom shares a presentation from his summer conference tour where he helps you understand what is needed to help teach your students to write better copy for news. For more content like, this visit www.streamsemester.com

In episode 130, Tom talks with Robert Hill from Peach County High School in Fort Valley, Georgia. This was recorded live during the AVTF Meet and Greet at Peach Co. This event served as the program's advisory council meeting and was a great way of members of the community to see what happens in the program. Thanks to our sponsor, Amitrace, for their support of Teaching To The Test Pattern. For more tools, tricks, and techniques for teaching video production, please visit StreamSemester.com. 

Tom discusses why he's been absent from podcasts and posting on StreamSemester.com lately. Teaching To The Test Pattern and StreamSemester.com are brought to you by Amitrace.com

Tom discusses the Blackmagic Design announcement from IBC 23 including new cameras, new updates, and the biggest thing to happen to iOS cameras since light - the Blackmagic Camera app. For more news and classroom resources, please visit StreamSemester.comThanks to our sponsor Amitrace.com. If you are looking to upgrade your classroom or studio equipment, visit Amitrace.com to get started.

Tom and Josh talk about what's new in their programs for 2023--2024. Josh is reworking his entire program and Tom is rewiring his. For more shows and more info on how to best run your Audio/Video production classroom, visit streamstemester.com. Special Thanks to Amitrace.com for their support of StreamSemester.com and Teaching To The Test Patten.

Tom and Josh talk about new content coming from StreamSemester.com and how you can use it to become the local expert on the topics provided. For pacing guides, lesson plans, activities, and more for your classroom, visit StreamSemester.com. Thanks to Amitrace.com for their continued support of StreamSemester.com and Teaching To The Test Pattern. If you are looking to build a new program or update/upgrade an established one, visist Amitrace.com to get the conversation started.

In this episode, Tom and Josh catch up after Josh's summer of travel. They address where Adam is as well as how bad the roads in Georgia are. Thanks to Amitrace.com for their support of Teaching to the Test Pattern and StreamSemester.com

This is the first episode of the Ask The Engineer Series. Tom talks with Faraz from Amitrace to help answer your questions. As Tom and Faraz travel and talk with teachers from around the country, they hear the same questions over and over and this series aims to answer those questions. In this episode, they discuss live streaming set ups, the best cameras for the studio and in the field, and different connection types. Links to products discussed: Datavideo HS1600T - https://www.datavideo.com/us/product/HS-1600T-3C140TMBlackmagic Design Atem: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/atemmini Blackmagic Design Studio Cameras: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagicstudiocamera Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Cameras: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagicpocketcinemacamera Previous Teaching To The Test Pattern Episodes about NDI: Episode 7: Part 1Episode 8: Part 2Episode 9: Part 3Episode 10: Part 4Episode 11: Part 5Episode 12: Part 6If you have a question that you would like addressed in an upcoming episode, click here to send an email.

In this episode, Josh talks with Dr. Andrew Stevens from North Greenville University about his experience on the sidelines, in the classroom and much more. Teaching To The Test Pattern is brought to you by Amitrace. If you are looking to update your equipment for your classroom or build out your studio, go to Amitrace.com to start the conversation and get the best input and feedback possible to help your workflow be as efficient as possible.

The roundtable is back. This time Adam, Josh, and Tom were live at Camp T&I in Brunswick, Georgia. They were joined by 20 or so video production educators from around the state of Georgia. During they show, they fielded questions from the audience, Josh and Adam got their "Ross Socks," and they discussed the best places to eat in the area. For more episodes and more content for video production educators, please visit www.streamsemester.com.StreamSemester.com and Teaching To The Test Pattern are sponosored by Amictrace. If you are looking to improve your classroom or studio technology, contact Amitrace today to get the conversation started.

Tom talks with Bob Caniglia from BlackMagic Design at NAB 2023. They discuss the new ATEM family of switchers, updates to Davinci Resolve, and much more. For more content like this please visit, StreamSemester.com. Thank you to our sponsor - Amitrace. If you are looking to build out or build up your studio or classroom equipment, reach out to Amitrace today.

In this episode of the Teaching To The Test Pattern Roundtable: Tom is still in Vegas at NAB2023 and shares what he's learned in the last week. The boys discuss the new Adobe Premiere Pro version that's in Beta and drives Tom mad, how most scholastic video programs are really missing a key element, Ross Video, Canon Cameras, and Blackmagic Design still dominate the conversation. Thanks again to Amitrace for their support of Teaching to the Test Pattern and StreamSemester.com.

Tom talks with Melanie Ciotti from SNS about their storage and media asset management (MAM) solutions and how they can simplify the workflow at schools. For more about SNS, visit www.snsevo.comFor more content about teaching video produciton, visit StreamSemester.com presented by Amitrace.com

Tom talked with Matt Peschau from Ross Video about how Ross Video can integrate their suite of tools into your classroom in order to give your students the most accurate experience with professional grade newsroom tools and techniques. For more from NAB2023, visit StreamSemester.com. Teaching to the Test Pattern is brought to you by Amitrace.com. If you are looking to build out or upgrade your equipment, reachout to Amitrace to get the process started.

Adam, Josh, and Tom meet again to talk about what's going on in their lives including Josh's love for BlackMagic Design cameras, Adam's ebay bidding wars for VHS tapes and Tom's upcoming trip to Las Vegas.Thanks to Amitrace.com for their support of Teaching To The Test Pattern and StreamSemester.com

Tom discusses a disturbing trend in CTE. This episode is one of the most difficult to produce in order to not say names, tell specifics, and/or truly cause pain to someone involved. Ultimately the goal of this episode is to get your attention and cause awareness of the issue. To learn more visit: https://www.streamsemester.com/

Tom talks with Jessica Roberts from Arlington High School in Arlington, TN about her program, how she actually was trained to be a video production teacher and much more. To learn more visit: https://www.streamsemester.com/

Adam, Josh, and Tom talk about what's going on in their program and on StreamSemester.com. They talk Blackmagic Design, AI apps, and much more.

Tom talks with Tim Loreman from Central High School in Phenix City, Alabama about Loreman's path to the video production classroom, how he manages to complete over 100 live streams a year, and his tools to maintain quality in his productions. For more content for your classrom, check out StreamSemster.com to get the latest gear reviews, tips/tricks/techniques for your classroom and more.

Tom discusses the recent releases from BlackMagic Design including the ATEM Studio HD8, HD8 ISO, the BlackMagic Design Studio Camera Pro 6k, and the second generation of the BlackMagic Design Pro 4k, and more. For more gear reviews and content for your video production classroom, visit StreamSemster.com

Adam, Josh, and Tom sat down to talk about what's going on in their lives, classrooms, and what they are working on for StreamSemester.com .

Tom talks with Adam Logan from the Rockdale Career Academy in Conyers, Georgia. Adam and Tom talk about the program at RCA as well as Adam's recent completion of his specialist degree and much more.

Tom discusses the difference between a trainer and a teacher. For more about teaching video production, please visit streamsemester.com

Tom talks with Bill Phelps from Harrison High School and Phelps Productions about his time in the classroom, things Bill does to engage students as well as one of the best training exercises ever. In the episode Bill and Tom discuss a self working card trick. Here is a link to the video instructions for the trick: https://youtu.be/HAsaVZi5XLs For more video production education content, please visit StreamSemester.com and make sure to sign up for the email.

Tom discusses the UGA Election Show Coverage and his fears and the result of doing such a large show and how doing something outside of your comfort zone can really boost your confidence as well as that of your students.For more podcasts episodes and tips and tricks on how be become a better video production teacher, visit StreamSemester.com

Tom discusses how you can end your semester strong and efficiently in order to start the spring semester better prepared.

Tom talks with Josh Dempsey and Adam Russell from Marietta High School in Marietta Georgia about StreamSemester.com and their recent acquisition, plans for the site, and more. Go to StreamSemester.com right now to sign up for the email list in order to receive the latest news for your classroom and much more.

Tom talks you through the basics of basketball commentary as you prepare for the upcoming basketball season.

Tom discusses simple changes you can make to improve your basketball broadcasts including adding commentary, adding an additional camera or two, adding graphics and more.

In the follow up to the last episode, Tom talks about ways you can turn your program around by changing how you approach your program and getting feedback on perceptions of your teaching and your program.

In this episode, Tom talks about overcoming those who have issues with receiving your livestream content.

In episode 100, Tom hopes to empower you with why your job is hard, how you can handle the task and most importantly how to take care of yourself!

This episode is the wrap up of advice that still holds true.

Tom goes through some of the past episodes to find some of the advice that still holds true today.

Tom talks with Imry Halevi, Zach Garrett and Bo Cordle about what a day in their life entails. This is the first of three episodes counting down to episode 100 of Teaching To The Test Pattern.

Tom talks with Josh Jenson, Imry Halevi, and Jason Boone about how they got started in the production world. This is the first of three episodes counting down to episode 100 of Teaching To The Test Pattern.

Tom talks with Josh Talevski in the follow up to their conversation in June. In this episode, Josh details his experiences as a broadcast intern with the Savannah Bananas including his time singing the national anthem during an ESPN broadcast.

Tom details what your role in your classroom, school, community, and the broadcast education profession is and how you should make the best of your program.

Tom talks about ways to improve your newscasts including killing your mascot, rewriting stories every day, and more.

Tom discusses the newly released BlackMagic Design ATEM SDI and how they can benefit your program.

Tom details why you need goals, what areas you need to set goals, how to set goals that matter and much more in this episode of T4P.

Tom and Drew Kwederas talk about things that people don't know about what Drew does as well as how Drew is preparing for the upcoming school year.

Tom talks with Drew Kwederas about his transition from TV to the middle school classroom as well as his upcoming move to the high school classroom.

Tom talks with University of Georgia student and intern with the Savannah Bananas, Josh Talevski, about his current internship with the Savannah Bananas and how Josh thinks the internship will impact his future.