Students learning with and creating videos in the classroom

The only experience I have with making videos is through using my digital camera. I work at an afterschool care centre and the children love to make movies using the digital camera and then uploading them to watch them on the computer. I would love to show you some of the creative ideas they have displayed in the videos but due to privacy I am unable to do so. By observing these students it gave me an idea where I could incorporate videos and Movie Maker into the classroom.

By allowing the students to create a video they will be using Kearsley & Shneiderman’s (1999) second principle ‘create’. This will be an activity the student will be engaged in and can find creative ways to film what is required from them. This makes the learning creative and interactive for the students and can help them to understand the information.

Another way to engage students in the lesson is to use tools such as YouTube or TeacherTube. They are great video resources which can be used in the classroom. Kearsley & Shneiderman’s (1999) state in their engagement theory that
‘Technology can facilitate engagement in ways which are difficult to achieve otherwise’.

I believe this theory, as the students we are teaching are the 21st century learners and digital natives (Pensky,2001), we need to relate the learning into a way they will understand and be engaged.

By hooking the students in with a video they can learn the information through a technology they are familiar with and will engage with. If a video is viewed in the classroom it needs to be referred back to in later lessons and activities for students to make the link to where the video connects with the unit or topic.

If the school is unable to access YouTube or TeacherTube they can always make their own video or movie using video or digital cameras.

- Natalie

Reference List
Kearsley, G., & Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved August 19, 2009, from http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm

Pensky. (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. Retrieved August 19, 2009, from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf