School-Based Work Study
Every afternoon I would report to the library in a local junior high for two hours. The library had one small section that became my area to manage. I was in charge of the AV resources. I would check out 9 mm film loops to students. When the film loops returned, I would check them in, rewind when necessary, and reshelve.
Some days film loops would already be waiting in a RETURNED bin to be processed and returned to the shelves. Other days might find business to be slow with few checkouts or returns. That allowed me to have time to “read the shelves” and check that the film loops were in numerical order.
Either way, organizing and placing the film loops in their correct places enabled users to quickly find them for check out purposes. Some teachers asked students to watch a video during their library study hall. Other students watched the film loop to “make up” instruction that they had missed. Video resources that were “in addition to” classroom instruction and prior to computers for student use.
Was this a precursor to “online” and personalized instruction?
Did every student have access?
Was this technology “innovative”?
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I think it was innovative! A great way to catch up on missed classes for illnesses, trips, etc. if teachers record at least the minilesson segment or an important demonstration or discussion. Thanks for sharing, Fran!
I agree with Lynne. This is a great way for students to get get caught up on things they missed and it saves the teacher from having to take class time to explain to the student what was missed. This way the student could watch and then go back to the teacher wity any questions or for clarification.
Your questions suggest access and equity have been critical questions for some time – I love your walk down memory land and connections to today.