Jen's Journal |
 I love my job as an Educational Technology Specialist! I am fortunate to collaborate with teachers in my district and provide unique learning experiences for students. Recently, I had a blast recreating the famous painting the School of Athens with two AP European History classes using green screen photography. As part of Grady High School's homecoming week activities, it is a tradition for seniors to wear togas on Friday. For several years, Ms. Looman, an AP European History teacher has worked with her students to create a tableaux of the famous painting. One of Grady's Instructional Coaches, Ms. Hollis, suggested I might be able to help and use green screen to recreate the painting. I was thrilled at the challenge and was eager to support the project. I met with Ms. Looman and she shared her vision for the tableaux. We began brainstorming how to get more that 20 students in the famous image, with only a 10x10 green screen. With such a large group, I decided the most effective way would be to photograph each student separately in front of a pop up screen. It was a more time consuming process but the final product was worth it.  Green Screen by Doink has three layers you can use to create your green screen image or video. I used the bottom two layers. The bottom layer is the backround image and the middle layer is the camera. The app allows you to resize and move the layer to anywhere on the background image.
Final Photos  I have had a number of questions regarding the process of recreating the School of Athens using green screen. I used Green Screen by Doink so I could manipulate the placement and scale of the students. Each picture captured created the new background layer. For those interested, here is a video.
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  We found Discovery Way! In my twenty years in education I have participated in numerous professional development experiences. One of the most beneficial in my career has been attending DENSI (Discovery Educator Network Summer Institute). I was blessed to attend DENSI for a second time this summer. Hosted by Discovery Education, the 2017 Institute was held in San Diego. DENSI is a 6-day residential professional development with more than 150 educators from around the globe. This year’s attendees were from the United States (28 states), Canada, UK, Dubai, China, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Haiti. The goal of the institute is to LEARN, SHARE & CONNECT with other educators. As a first time attendee, last year in Chicago, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had been an avid user of Discovery Education Streaming since 2003. I had presented at Discovery Education’s DENapalooza - now Day of Discovery (a fantastic free day of learning for teachers) and had hosted two district-wide cohorts of the DEN Ambassadors Program but was not sure what to expect. I was encouraged to step out of my professional comfort zone and challenge myself to get more involved. During my first DENSI I presented a session on green screen video and even hosted an unconference hands-on green screen session. I met amazing educators and was thrilled to learn, share and connect. Since my time in Chicago, last year, I have grown professionally, leading two more district-wide DEN Ambassador cohorts, attended Days of Discovery in North and South Carolina as well as presented, hosted a Twitter #DENchat, joined the Leadership Council and delivered an Ignite talk at an event with DE and GPB.  Twitter 101 Unconference This year, I was overjoyed to return to continue learning, sharing and connecting. I was honored to be asked to serve as a small group leader. I had the opportunity to present a social media session “To Tweet or Not to Tweet? That is the Question … “ and lead an unconference session on Twitter 101. I am in no way a Twitter expert but was thrilled to share. Additionally, I was able to use my skills and experience to support the WDEN News (behind the scenes of course).  DENS 2017 Small Group My involvement with the DEN Community provides rejuvenation, motivation and insight from a network of passionate educators. I am so grateful for Discovery Education and their team’s efforts to honor educators and encourage the DEN Community. I have to thank Kelly Hines for her encouragement to get involved and lead in my district.  The power of the DEN Community can not be measured. The DEN is more than a community, the connections and friendships I have formed have given me my DENtribe. I am so appreciative to Aleigha Henderson-Rosser, Atlanta Public School’s Instructional Technology Executive Director and Warren Goetzel, Media Services Coordinator for encouraging me to learn and lead. 
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@apsitjenJennifer Hall is an Educational Technology Specialist for Atlanta Public Schools. Archives
March 2021
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