Are your students bored and unengaged?
· Give them a topic, a video camera and a couple of hours and set them free into your school!
…Okay maybe don’t do it exactly like that, but I think you get the idea.
In order to set students up to succeed give them some guidelines.
This week in Technology we were given iPad’s and told to create a video that related to some aspect of the course content. The video had to be completed during class time and shared in class.
Our guidelines were:
· G rating (don’t use profanity)
· No weapons (not even toy weapons)
· Inform people in authority if you are using an area ie. Curr Lab.
· No cameras in the bathrooms (university regulations)
· Be considerate of others as you video tape (don't disrupt other classes)
We were even give suggestions for better video:
· Shoot with the iPad horizontal
· Keep it as stable as possible
· The iPad should be close to the person speaking
· Avoid shooting in areas with background noise
We were basically given free range all we had to do was respect the guidelines stated above and focus on course content. This allowed for a lot of creativity and diversity. Some of the videos were humorous while others were serious all were on topic.
As a student I found this assignment very engaging and a good review. In order to choose a topic for our video my classmates and I reviewed previous class lessons and brainstormed ideas outside of class, we even did our own research. This assignment got us brain storming and effectively working with others. We were all engaged because we were up and moving and getting a chance to think creatively. Having a time limit made it even more fun, there was a sense of danger.
Watching the finished product with my classmates and seeing their reactions felt really rewarding. All that hard work did not go to waste; my professor was not the only one who would be appreciating my group’s video. Knowing that their work will be shown to a wider audience can really motivate students to do their best work!
Not only was our video shared with our class, we were so proud we posted it to YouTube. Check it out:
· Give them a topic, a video camera and a couple of hours and set them free into your school!
…Okay maybe don’t do it exactly like that, but I think you get the idea.
In order to set students up to succeed give them some guidelines.
This week in Technology we were given iPad’s and told to create a video that related to some aspect of the course content. The video had to be completed during class time and shared in class.
Our guidelines were:
· G rating (don’t use profanity)
· No weapons (not even toy weapons)
· Inform people in authority if you are using an area ie. Curr Lab.
· No cameras in the bathrooms (university regulations)
· Be considerate of others as you video tape (don't disrupt other classes)
We were even give suggestions for better video:
· Shoot with the iPad horizontal
· Keep it as stable as possible
· The iPad should be close to the person speaking
· Avoid shooting in areas with background noise
We were basically given free range all we had to do was respect the guidelines stated above and focus on course content. This allowed for a lot of creativity and diversity. Some of the videos were humorous while others were serious all were on topic.
As a student I found this assignment very engaging and a good review. In order to choose a topic for our video my classmates and I reviewed previous class lessons and brainstormed ideas outside of class, we even did our own research. This assignment got us brain storming and effectively working with others. We were all engaged because we were up and moving and getting a chance to think creatively. Having a time limit made it even more fun, there was a sense of danger.
Watching the finished product with my classmates and seeing their reactions felt really rewarding. All that hard work did not go to waste; my professor was not the only one who would be appreciating my group’s video. Knowing that their work will be shown to a wider audience can really motivate students to do their best work!
Not only was our video shared with our class, we were so proud we posted it to YouTube. Check it out:
This assignment really allowed room for differentiated learning. Watching my classmate’s videos I got to see how everyone interpreted the assignment differently. The assignment reflected everyone’s strengths/talents. Some people were on camera while others worked behind the scenes more i.e. wrote the script, directing, filming or even editing.
So if you find your students losing interest and the technology is available, take advantage and use it to engage students in their learning. Get them excited to do homework again!
So if you find your students losing interest and the technology is available, take advantage and use it to engage students in their learning. Get them excited to do homework again!