This week I researched more closely the exact types of Apple seminars that are offered in my area. I decided that the movie making seminar would suit my needs. This seminar offers a small group for two hours that focuses on simple execution of digital tools using iMovie software. Using a digital video camera and a MAC computer, the experts will walk me through how to shoot, edit, and share movies. It also provides guidance needed to add soundtrack, best scenes and transitions. I made an appointment to consult with them at the next seminar.
In addition, I decided that I needed some practical insight from my colleagues. I interviewed two teachers in my building that have experience using digital cameras and making videos with students. I asked them to summarize the positives and negatives of their experiences. Overall the positives included: increased engagement, ownership, motivation, awareness of actual skill level, increased meta-cognition, creativity, multiple modes of learning addressed, increased understanding of how to use digital tools, and more quality end-products.
Some of the negatives of using video recordings, according to my colleagues, included: insufficient editing software provided by school (audacity is the only program supported), poor technology support, editing videos is time consuming, and the flip cameras provide only basic editing capability. Because of these downfalls, one of the teachers has decided to record students’ with his own digital camera. This gives him more editing capacity as he uses iMovie software on his Mac at home. Although this takes a lot of his personal time, he is able to make changes the students want. The video has the polished, professional effect. Another downside of course is that students are not learning this skill and the teacher is invested a great deal of time to make this project possible and successful. In additiona, the “at-risk” students that used the digital software were less willing to take risks. When students became stuck, they had difficulty trouble shooting. Most of these students gave-up or were dependent on teacher help. In other words, a great deal of scaffolding, knowledge of the software program, and patience is needed when implementing this digital tool.
This leads me to a challenging place. Although iMovie provides the high-quality software program I desire, it is not supported by my district. I have to decide what my goal is when using digital recordings. Is it a priority for students to learn how to edit and publish their own videos? Or, is it adequate enough for students to use the digital tool for learning, use the basic editing software provided by the district, and focus on the learning process instead of a final polished product?
This I will continue to iron out. Starting out with basic programs would most likely be the best place to begin. I trust that my students will direct me towards the most practical steps from there.
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Rachel,
ReplyDeleteVery insightful post this week. You’ve asked some very good questions about the movie production process. I especially appreciate that you consulted with another staff member in your building who has been able to give you valuable information about how to make this work in YOUR setting, with your current access to tools and support.
Although I film most student presentations and do post some of them on my website, we (neither my students or I) rarely do any post-production editing or polishing. As your colleague suggests it can be time consuming. I do think these creative tools provide valuable learning opportunities for students and if I had more time or less content to cover, I would include this step in our projects.
The issue of students learning to problem-solve or trouble shooting when working with technology is exactly one of the reasons why these extra step should be included. This is a critical life skill (not just with technology but with any challenge we face). Learning to identify what we do know, clearly identify what we want, brainstorm additional resources and begin to experiment until we find our answer is an important skill that rarely gets taught in school. Just yesterday a colleague of mine was commenting on how those issues often come up at times when we’re more focused on achieving a final product so we “help” students by giving them the small answers rather than helping by facilitating their problem-solving thinking. With limited time, it so easy to lose the small teachable moments that are often the most powerful.
Cheers,
Aaron
Hi Rachel,
ReplyDeleteSome of the teachers in my school are working on making book trailers for books that the students read over summer vacation. They are doing this by recording the students, and then making the trailers into small movies which will live on the website for our library so that other students can find books that they might want to read. The point is, these teachers were making these videos on iMovie, and apparently, it was really quite easy. Even some of the teachers with little to no experience using this program were able to use it easily and efficiently, so hopefully, if this is the road that you choose, it will be relatively pain-free for you, too. Good luck!