By Deborah Hargroves

Oh, how things have changed in media production since my first fifth-grade student won honors in the International Student Media Festival thirty years ago! Her award-winning sound/slide presentation consisted of twenty-five hand-drawn transparencies mounted in 2” X 2” frames, which were shown on a screen with a carousel slide projector; her audio was delivered through a cassette tape with a bell sound signaling the need to advance to the next slide. Yes, this is quite primitive compared to the elaborate multimedia creations our current ISMF winners have produced. But is it so different really?

Having taught media production throughout this era of rapidly changing media, I can honestly say that although the tools and the capabilities are certainly different and much more sophisticated, the creative, planning, and organizational processes are essentially the same as they were in 1977. Media production, whatever the technology used, empowers students to think, design, assemble and create their ideas into something they can showcase to others. The creation of a form of media as the end product of learning activities causes students to connect with previously learned knowledge; in addition, they are able to extend their study to further learning. In order to acquire the skills needed to produce their particular form of media, students must immerse themselves in the subject. They are then ready to present their findings in an organized, informative, and entertaining way.

Educators who actively promote the integration of technology into the K-12 curriculum enjoy noting the powerful learning. It is clear to me that students will need multimedia literacy as adults and the skills acquired for this competency. My special interest in showcasing digital storytelling and multimedia production through the Georgia Student Media Festival and the International Student Media Festival is embedded in my belief that it improves written, organizational, and visual literacy skills.

I am passionate about promoting the International Student Media Festival, www.ismf.net, because of its success in encouraging student media production. This process pays tribute to young producers worldwide who express their ideas through technology. School participation in the festival - which includes evaluation of student projects by educators and media professionals, speakers, workshops, screenings, and an awards ceremony — is a wonderful way to encourage creativity and learning.

Deborah Hargroves, the 2006 Connelly Award Winner, is the Media Specialist for Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools in Savannah, GA
. She is an Adobe Education Leader and has won a 
Milken National Educator Award.