Palmer Trinity School

PER SPEC T I V E S The Falconer More than ever, students demand to see the real-life relevancy of what they are doing and learning. Much of this has to do with the evolving digital age, and the ease and instant gratification which technology often affords. Regardless, teachers face an uphill battle when students fail to see the practical application of a given subject. I had this in mind in 2010, when former Head of School Sean Murphy asked me to teach journalism. Before accepting the offer, we spoke about the dying print industry. The New York Times is a shadow of its former self, even as "All the News That's Fit to Print" remains on the front page. Other major publications, including Newsweek and The Christian Science Monitor, are only available online. Every few months, it seems that Los Angeles Times cuts its once coveted staff. I saw no use in teaching newspaper layout, an antiquated skill. I suggested that the School forego printing a physical product. I wanted to introduce students to Web 2.0, and the way in which technology is changing the face of journalism. To succeed in today's newsroom, journalists don't just report, write and submit—they know how to produce quality journalism in multiple mediums. With Mr. Murphy's blessing, I designed an early version of The Falconer, the student news site of Palmer Trinity School. When class began that fall, students showed great interest in learning about blog design. The students continued to make improvements to the site, culminating in The Falconer's 2012 redesign. In addition to honing conventional writing and reporting skills, students learn visual storytelling. Enthusiastic student reporters produce quality broadcasts about sports, classroom activities and school events. They learn basic computer code and how to manage Vimeo.com, our video hosting site. Student photographers also make great use of Animoto, a Web-based tool that allows users to create stunning slideshow presentations. Last year, Athletic Director Jake von Scherrer and Preston Michelson '13 introduced the class to PlayOn! Sports, which allows for live streaming video. From big sporting events to graduation and high-profile visits, students provide the wider community with live coverage, accessible to anybody with a Smartphone or Internet connection. In 12 www.palmertrinity.org Written by D A V E C U T L E R , Journalism Teacher January, the Miami Herald borrowed our feed of Martin Luther King III's address. The Falconer's growing success prompted me to teach green screen photography and advanced video editing. NBC Nightly News relies on similar software to produce its broadcasts. Using a semi- Teaching journalism is an absolute joy, mostly because aspiring reporters see the importance of mastering evolving journalism skills, and they see the relevancy in what they learn. I am grateful to work in a school like Palmer Trinity, where student get the chance to learn important journalism skills by using the most cutting-edge To succeed in today's newsroom, journalists don't just report, write and submit—they know how to produce quality journalism in multiple mediums. professional video camera and advanced studio lighting, students are able to render virtual newsroom environments. This year, I plan to teach students how to use and read from a teleprompter. 1. ournalism students interview Professor J Michael Schoonmaker and Vaughn Schoonmaker for The Falconer. Using a green screen and specialized computer software, students can simulate a real newsroom environment. 2. ydney Merritt '14 and Preston S Michelson '13 put together an article with Journalism Teacher Dave Cutler. 2 1

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