This document previews a SXSWedu 2013 presentation about how media clubs improve schools. It summarizes four media clubs: a student publishing club in NYC, an anime club at a treatment center, an Asian culture club in Houston, and a film club in Austin. It describes the activities, support levels, and some outcomes of each club, noting benefits like collaboration, creative expression, and community involvement.

1. How Media Clubs Improve
Schools (Preview)
John Baird, M.Sc.
Math Teacher
Austin, TX

2. Media Clubs
• This is a preview of the SXSWedu 2013
presentation
• The presentation focuses on the story of
each club and the lessons that can be
learned from each unique case

3. Student Publishing in NYC

4. Student Publishing in NYC
• Students from different backgrounds
collaborated on their own art projects
• A quarter of the entire 8th grade
• Hosted a guest speaker
– Kittyhawk, webcomic artist
• Support level: mostly positive
– Most teachers, parents, and administrators, with
few exceptions

5. Anime Club at a Treatment
Center
• No pictures due to privacy protections
• Treatment center for mental health issues
– Emotional disturbance, etc.
• A primary source of media exposure in a
highly restrictive environment
– Common experience gave rise to a unique
meme
• Support level: Mixed
– Treatment center staff, but not school officials

6. Asian Culture in Houston

7. Asian Culture in Houston
• Combined student publishing with an
interest in events
– Game tournaments (Yugioh, Pokemon, etc.)
– A fan convention: RAMSCon
• A large percentage of first-time participants
in after-school programming
• Support level: Mixed
– A few teachers and many community leaders,
but no administrators or parents

8. Film Club in Austin
• No pictures yet (Fall 2012 formed)
• 6th and 7th graders creating their own movies
– Scripts, cameras, editing, acting, etc.
• Formed based on student interest
• Support level: high
– Parents, teachers, and administrators all
pitching in

9. Outcomes
• New York
– Two at-risk student members went on to high
school
– Several members went on to continue creating
their own work in high school
• RTC
– Club was shut down by superintendent,
lessening the quality of life for residents
– Several members got back into anime after
leaving the RTC

10. Outcomes
• Houston
– Members have gone on to host events of their
own
– Several are active in the local community
• Austin
– To be determined!
– Plans in place to expand to documentaries and
journalism