Student Created Video in the Classroom

The first site that I visited, http://www.techlearning.com/story/showArticle.php?articleID=18700330 was helpful because it explained how to teach movie making in the classroom without even needing a camcorder! The concept was introduced through a chart labeled “scaffolding.” Basically, students can be taught video making at a rudimentary level and then work their way up to using a camcorder and student crew of actors/cameramen, etc. The article suggests that a beginning video be created using images already provided for students from a CD-Rom, scanner, or the internet. Sound clips should also be provided, and guidelines for a simple text (storyboard). Students would familiarize themselves with the process of moviemaking and then gradually work their way up to being more independent filmmakers. Thus, while students may begin moviemaking with having everything provided for them, they would progress to creating their own files of images, sound bytes, and text before moving on to using camcorders. The article made sense in that it ensured that every classroom could make movies regardless of what equipment they may have, and also it made students familiar with the process of moviemaking before giving them all the fancy equipment. Two helpful websites were also provided for educators to use to find files online with moviemaking resources: www.teachercreated.com and www.schoolhousevideo.org.

http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/listdigitalpa.html was the second webpage I visited. It was a great place for educators to start if they wanted to incorporate video technology in their classroom. There were several subheadings that lead to a bunch of different resources. The headings were: Internet resources, glossary, resources, tips, articles, and educational videos and other samples. The glossary was especially helpful in explaining terms associated with filmmaking.

The last website I visited, http://eduwithtechn.wordpress.com/2007/05/21/youtube-classroom-video-collaboration/ was different than the others in that was more a persuasive article to get teachers to use video in their classrooms. However, it introduced and interesting concept: Why not have educators unite and create educational videos that could be posted on YouTube for other students and teachers to use? Then an educator could search for related videos. Examples the author included were the Underground Railroad and global warming. I had never considered using YouTube for educational purposes before, so I was glad that I read this article.