Group 2 Technologies: Digital Video Reflection

“Video is the technology of electronically capturing, recording, processing, storing, transmitting and reconstructing a sequence of still images representing scenes in motion" (Wikipedia, 2011). At a point of time, only silent videos were available however today it is rare to find a video that does no include an audio overlay. Videos have a range of uses in a classroom that include but are not limited to the following:

• Trailers relevant to the content about to be learnt develops learners interest as they are more likely to take steps to learn e.g. Ads and marketing before learning about advertising and marketing in business education
• Can show students authentic workplace situations raising intrinsic motivation. e.g. Tour of virgin blue office focusing on the management department which can be analysed by the business education class.
• Show skills that are quicker to learn by observation. e.g. How to solve a mathematical problem.
• Can be a learning resource. e.g. Informative video on accounting
• Student and teacher presentations can be recorded to be analysed.
• Students can develop their critical literacy skills
• Assist in the introduction of disabled students into mainstream class.
• Help preparation of mini documentaries, interviews or news report. e.g. Students can record news clip relating to stock market.
• Record school performances, excursions, special events, field trips, visits by specialists, etc.
• Reflect on student and teacher learning. Video can sometimes show a persons thoughts and emotions more clearer than other forms of technology because is shows their body language and facial expressions.

 I quickly created a video (that included footage of myself) in order to experience using Windows Movie Maker. I have stored this video in my wiki, Wikawikawi and it can be found by clicking on the following link, http://wikawikawi.wikispaces.com/Videos+%28MovieMaker%29.  I did not take the time to read or follow any steps when creating the video as I am a digital native and find that I learn better if I am active when learning how to use new technology. Even so, Windows Movie Maker is quite simple and in my opinion can be used by both primary and secondary school students.

A PMI on video making and videos in a classroom context to ponder:

Plus

• Caters for visual and verbal learners.
• Facilitates communication.
• Provides opportunities for students to develop their organisation and teamwork skills.
• Increases literacy skills.
• Software to make movies is easy to use.
• Adds colour to the content.
• Breaks teaching routine.
• Stimulates memory.

Minus

• Time consuming.
• Technological challenges = software and hardware failure.
• Copyright issues.
• Privacy issues.
• Overuse.
• Not all students have the access to the hardware and software required to make movies.

Interesting

• That schools are sill using video cassettes to play video to students.
• The correlation between the increase in students wanting to make movies for learning purposes and the recent advance in technology.

References

Wikipedia. (2011). Videos. Retrieved 11 April 2011 from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video