Video in the Classroom. Project-based learning

In this post I would like to summarize information from Cambridge University Press webinar "Putting students in the director's chair" by Anna Whitcher. She suggests some great ideas for project-based learning, where students should create a video.

If you want to watch the whole webinar, you can find it here:

Before looking deeper at the process of video creation, Anna Whitcher discusses some general information.

These are main types of video we typically use in the classroom:

• VoxPops (voice of the people - on the street, interviews);
• Documentary (stories guided by narratives);
• Situational (dramas. real or created, usually with actors);
• Instructional (instructions with visuals and narrative);
• Interactive (video which elicits viewer's involvement);
• Student-generated (how-to videos, documentary, YouTuber).

Do you use video in the classroom? How? All of us mainly use the following way:

THREE-STEP APPROACH TO WATCHING

• Before-watching activities
• While-watching activities
• Post-watching activities

These are some resources to provide more ideas for these activities:

Using Video in and outside the Classroom, Odcinek 1: Fostering Communication
Using Video in and outside the Classroom, Odcinek 2: Focusing on Language Structure
Using Video in and outside the Classroom, Odcinek 3: Going Real
Using Video in and outside the Classroom, Odcinek 4: Going Cross-Curricular

GO BEYOND THESE STEPS!

MACRO TASKS = PROJECT-BASED LEARNING

Five-step approach to video creation:

• Topic and type of video to create (don’t give TOO much choice, give direction);
• Time limit for length of video and time they can spend on it (2-3 minute video = about 6 hours of work);
• Select a role (let students choose a comfortable role): scriptwriter, director, actor and/or narrator, camera person, video editor;
• Access to devices and materials: mobile device, film editing software or app, photos/footage storage, Internet access, music;
• Let them run with it! 

Tips to give order to creative process:

• Time to get organized; 
• Time limit; 
• Make sure they have devices; 
• Let them use pen and paper, don’t force them to use devices simultaneously. 

These are some ideas for student projects:

CHOICE 1: A tour of your town (documentary with narration only)

CHOICE 2: A tour of your town, or description of some element, or where you live (more YouTuber style with you in it)

CHOICE 3: How-to video explaining something you know how to make or do that you find fun and relevant

For teacher’s and students’ comfort:

• Manageable size of groups (3-5 people);
• Plenty of class time;
• Work on one/two elements of the video at a time;
• Checklists;
• Timing enough for narrative, music match, careful choice of footage/photos;
• Be patient! Take 3 shots;
• Don’t be a perfectionist;
• Overcome fear of actually making it. 

How to evaluate:

• Set clear parameters at the beginning; 
• Don’t concentrate on quality of video; 
• Look at checklist; 
• Succeeded in their roles? 
• Evaluate process rather that product. 

FILM FESTIVAL OR COMPETITION IN THE END