Hello My Name Is...

Jen Chaffman

           This course offers students an opportunity to create an audio/video production using digital video cameras and editing software.  Among topics to be surveyed are:  1) Production techniques, 2) video sequencing, 3) equipment use and 4) critical analysis of video footage.  Students will have opportunities to explore the use of digital audio/video tools in areas as varied as school based journalism, promotion and outreach and documentary as art form.

I’m Jen Chaffman.  This is my 8th year working at CSD, where I have been a K/1 and 4th/5th assistant, along with other assorted tasks.  What you might not know about me is that my degree was in Broadcasting:  Production & Programming and my first career love was radio.  My radio background began in Tampa, FL, where I worked as a news editor in the newsroom and helped the traffic reporter from behind the scenes.  I also worked in Macon and then Savannah, GA, where I was the midday disc jockey and promotions director.  I ended up at a country station in Columbia, SC, when I took an “early retirement” to become a stay at home mom. 

I am very excited to have a chance to combine my two favorite things into one job and am really happy to teach these classes at CSD Middle and High Schools.

  Using the essential questions,  "How can we best use digital audio & video (or media) to tell stories?" and “What role does media play in our lives,” students will create a variety of projects and explore the impact of media and its messages, legal and ethical issues regarding media (specifically copyright rules and 1st Amendment) and personal responsibility with regard to using media.

These are some of the many project possibilities for our class:  Slideshows, podcasting, digital storytelling, advertising and promotion, news production, documentary filmmaking, animation, cooking/demonstrations and much more.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach me by email at
jchaffman@csdnc.org. I am generally very good about checking and answering email regularly; however, please allow me 24 hours response time.