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TELECOMMUNICATIONS
CENTER |
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Brian O'Neal,
General Manager
2485 Union
Avenue
Phone (901)
416-3460
Fax (901)
416-7673
email:
O'NealBrianE@mcsk12.net
MISSION
STATEMENT
The mission of the
Telecommunications
Center is to provide
high quality instruction
in the field of
electronic media and use
current technologies to
provide news and
information that support
the mission and goals of
the Memphis City
Schools.
-
Design and deliver
high quality student
course work,
professional
development and
continuing education
to be delivered
through
integrated
technologies
(i.e., television,
video, radio,
internet,
multimedia, and
interactive) to
staff, students, and
parents/community.
-
Serve as primary
sources of
information and
enrichment for
internal and
external audiences
through the use of
Memphis City
Schools' radio and
television stations.
-
Serve as a
state-of-the-art
production
laboratory for
communication
technologies that
will provide
students with
career-oriented
experiences based on
industry standards
and provide
Broadcast Program
teachers with the
opportunity to
integrate technology
(i.e., television,
video, radio,
internet,
multimedia, and
interactive) in all
phases of
instructions.
Primary Functions:
-
Cable 19 TV — The
Education Station
-
Distance Learning
Classroom
-
MCS Broadcasting
Program
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TCC — Auditorium
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WQOX 88.5 — The
Voice of the Memphis
City Schools
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The tiered program provides a general
introduction to all aspects of broadcasting production (first year);
hands-on experience with electronic media production, management,
and operations (second year); and responsibility for running the
day-today operations at a television and radio station while
producing professional-quality broadcasts (third year). Five
professional staff members instruct students in the use of the
state-of-the-art all-digital equipment at the Center, while six
itinerant instructors teach classes at twelve feeder schools. Use of
the Internet and local area network, a satellite truck, and signal
transmission twice the broadcast quality of a typical television
station give students the best possible training for careers in
broadcasting.
At the Telecommunications
Center, students benefit from the following:
- Training on
industry-standard equipment identical to that used in the top
television and radio production facilities around the country
- An instructional focus
on the theory and process of putting together media projects, as
well as on the importance of writing skills in all aspects of
media communication
- Assuming
responsibilities for all aspects of broadcast production
- Creating news
broadcasts based on real stories in the Memphis education
community, including interviews with real people (not just
classmates)
- Reporting positive
news about the Memphis City Schools district, in contrast to
negative media coverage on local news stations
- Working within time
constraints equal to those in professional television and radio
production facilities
- Participating in an
annual College and Career Fair, in which college/university and
industry representatives from the tri-state area provide
information; professional media personnel give workshops on
writing, anchoring/reporting, and editing; and students can
enter competitions for anchoring and reporting (TV) and audio
(radio) that are judged by professional television anchors and
reporters
- Field trips to learn
about media programs at other universities, including those
outside the Memphis area, to encourage postsecondary education
and training
- Professional
membership benefits of the Broadcast Education Association
In addition, a recent articulation agreement with The University of
Memphis has given the Telecommunications Center a unique opportunity
for qualifying students to earn credits in the university’s
four-year degree programs.
¨
Cable 19-TV (The Education Station) – Cable
19-TV provides training for high school students in the area of
Electronic Media (Television). Students are instructed in digital
media production and transmission, and they gain valuable experience
as they work on projects designed to develop skills in critical
thinking, problem solving, reading, writing, and mathematics. By
facilitating the day-to-day operations of Cable 19-TV, students
learn both the technical and the managerial skills needed to work in
television broadcasting.
¨
WQOX 88.5 FM (The Voice of MCS) – In the area
of Electronic Media Broadcasting, WQOX 88.5 FM trains students to
become responsible staffers for the station, and holds students
responsible for the day-to-day operations of the broadcast facility.
Students gain valuable experience as they work to achieve broadcast
standards in the on-air operation. In 1990, WQOX 88.5 upgraded to an
effective radiated power of 30.000 watts, becoming one of the most
powerful high school radio stations in the nation.
¨
Distance Learning Classroom – The Memphis City
Schools’ Distance Learning Classroom/Icaster Network Video Server
provides the district with video conferencing and broadband video
transmission over the Memphis City School Local Area Network.
¨
Telecommunications Auditorium – The
State-of-the-Art Multimedia Auditorium provides seating for 300
people. The auditorium provides presenters with AMX remote control
technology for seamless professional development presentations. The
facility features 2 motorized projection screens, 2 video
projectors, room lighting, podium with computer tech connectivity,
video/audio mixer/switcher/router, 3 remote cameras, document camera
unit and VHS/DVD access.
¨
Electronic Media Broadcasting Program – The
Electronic Media Broadcasting Program is a series of courses
available to students in grades 9-12 in twelve high schools.
Approximately 700 students are currently enrolled in the program.
These courses include Media Concepts, Electronic Media Production
(Radio/TV), and Electronic Media Management and Operations
(Radio/TV). After completing an introductory course at the feeder
school, students are encouraged to undergo advanced training at the
Telecommunications Center. Currently, 86 advanced students are in
training at the Center.
¨
Media Concepts – Media Concepts is an
entry-level course that provides a broad based exposure to audio,
video, journalism, and broadcasting within the media industry. Upon
completion of this course, students will be prepared to pursue
advanced course work in either audio or video technology,
journalism, or broadcasting areas.
¨
Electronic Media Production (Radio/TV) –
Electronic Media Production (EMP) focuses on EMP Radio/TV
technologies utilizing simulated and/or real life projects. This
course centers on production of various EMP products, including
commercials, news, music, interactive, and industrial programming.
Students learn all aspects of concept creation, scripting, sound
design, visual design, engineering, editing, budgeting, and
production, as they explore some of the latest advances in radio/TV
technology.
¨
Electronic Media Management and Operations
(Radio/TV) – Electronic media Management and Operations focuses
on simulated and/or real-life electronic broadcast media production
and management activities. Projects center on in-house production of
newscasts, special events, and original programming. Students learn
both the audio and video sides of the electronic media industry.
Course content includes scripting, broadcasting, reporting,
directing, editing, budgeting, and production, as well as cameras,
lights, sound, and set design. |