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How effective were your actions in helping you meet your goals?
I feel that my actions were very helpful. I did not simply limit myself to one type of video editing software that I am used to (Movie Maker) and tried several programs. It was nice to get a “feel” for various programs. Experimenting with the sample programs that are commercially available has helped me to see a wider verity of possibilities than I thought previously available. I just wish many of these programs were not so expensive. I also still feel that Movie Maker is a great way to start off video editing instruction at the school level.
What have you learned so far that you can apply in your instructional practice?
I have learned that a wider variety can lead to distraction. While I was experimenting with the commercially available editing software I found that I spent hours playing with scenes and applying the various transitions, video effects, etc. I was not used to such a plethora of options as I was with Movie Maker. It was not until I noted how much time I spent that I realized if a class of teenagers were to have the amount of options I had they might apply far to many effects and start to take away from their video. It would be “fluff” over substance. This is another reason why I feel Movie Maker is a great way to start. There are not as many effects so the students will not spend an inordinate amount of time editing their videos.
What do you still have to learn? What new questions have arisen?
I would like to take the editing one step further and start producing DVDs of the students' assignments. I have been experimenting with Windows DVD Maker that came with Windows 7 on my own computer for various personal projects. I would like to look into software for this as well. This way the students have a tangible project they can use as a demonstration of what they have learned. Otherwise, I have no new questions at this time about video editing software.
How will you adjust your plan to fit your current needs?
As stated in my prior post, I would like the students to produce a documentary using the editing process. In a prior class I came up with a lesson in which the students would study and write a report about various aspects of the 1930s culture in preparation for their in-class novel And Then There Were None. The students could produce a documentary focusing on the various aspects of the 1930s such as pop-culture, fashion, politics, world events, etc. This way the students are not simply writing a report, they are working with the various photos and sources to produce a visual component that will represent what they have learned.
Shawn
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Shawn,
ReplyDeleteYou make an excellent point about student distraction becoming a factor when using programs like you discussed. As fun as it is to explore these programs, it is likely that students could lose a lot of time doing so, leading to frustration and rushed work as the deadline approaches. It is hard to find the balance with such issues, because students are typically enthusiastic when it comes to technology; however, I find that Movie Maker is challenging enough for my students, and many of them neglect to explore many of the options available through it. It is good to see you are cognizant of the fact that instruction can easily become about the technology rather than the content if we are not careful.
Jeff
Your documentary sounds very interesting and I think that students will enjoy this project. I was thinking of doing the same time of assignment but for the 1960’s and 1970’s. When it comes to US II, I always am crunched for time, so I like to give my students a large project to go over these decades. I believe a documentary for these years would be a great idea. It will give them a chance to dress like the decade and learn about the content at the same time. This is an excellent example of project based learning.
ReplyDeleteShawn-
ReplyDeleteDo you think that your students could produce their own DVDs? What technology would that require you to have at school? Students in my Drama class just made music videos and are now working on filming short plays, they often give me their final products via flashdrive and then I save them, what is your plan of action? Also, how are you assessing students’ films?
I think that you bring up a good point about too many options being distracting for teenagers. Perhaps only give them 2 or 3 production options and start with a smaller film with less “fluff” needed when editing and then move into a more challenging project where they need to use more of the features of the movie programs.
~Ellen Kehs
Shawn,
ReplyDeleteI personally have never used Movie Maker, but I have heard a lot of good things about that particular program. I wanted to comment on your statement about students using too many effects. I find that true with the simple program of PowerPoint. Over the years, I have noticed my students creating fabulous presentations filled with rich research, but they overuse effects. I tell my students every year to be careful and monitor their effect choices. I personally think too many effects make the presentation dwindle because the students haven’t captured the class with the rich text they have included, but they have capture them with music and text flying in. I feel some students miss out on the information and purpose of the assignment.
Caryn Letts