iMovie is a great tool to utilize in the classroom. Much in the same way that students could express themselves creatively with digital storytelling, iMovie presents itself as a user-friendly way to use video in order to publish your work. I can attest to this because my group was able to create a 7 minute video within the span of 3 days - not what I would have expected to be able to do 3 days ago. There are 10,000 options to customize your own story in iMovie, including uploading a digital story you've already made (which is true in our case). Importing and cropping audio and video files, as well as inserting text is easy as 1,2,3.
The M.A.T. program thus far has emphasized the importance of our interest when it comes to learning. For me, I find the outdoors incredibly interesting, particularly the uses of plants. Though I would be a 20th Century educator (sage on the stage) to suggest that my students should feel the same. For me, I realize and want to encourage a diversity in the classroom - in terms of demographic, skill set, knowledge base, but also interest. If a student in my bio class is interested in massage, then I want him/her to relate that to fascia energy transmission or muscular anatomy. If another is curious about food, then I'd ask for an edible botany project. Whatever it is that interests them, I will find an analogy that has to do with life (bio), and I'm here to help them learn in whatever way suits them. For many students, a visual component is necessary (including me).
I want my students to excel in what makes them excited, and then have the tools to share with their colleagues (myself included) what they've learned. iMovie is one of these tools, one that opens new horizons for students, and I will suggest it where ever possible. Some uses of iMovie would be to publish student research projects (individual or group), make a mid-year class video, or even create a tutorial of what my class was like for the next years prospective students interested in my Environmental Science/Bio/AP Bio class. iMovie has unlimited potential, like the minds of students, and I will encourage both to realize that potential.
I agree with you Max, 3 days ago there was no way I thought we would already have a finished product using iMovie. I also agree that we as teachers must be open to the different ways that our students may learn. iMovie is another great tool that educators must make available to their students. iMovie would be a wonderful resource for students to use their creativity. As we will see in class tomorrow it can be used a variety of different ways to relay a common message.
ReplyDeleteI concur that it seemed a bit daunting when we were told we only had 3 days to do our movie, but it's done and I had a lot of fun. I think giving students the option to take the technology route to express creativity is important. Just like it's important to allow students to express themselves through the written word or a picture.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think I would be able to put a movie together in such a short time either. It's amazing what you can learn in a short amount of time... and from multiple mistakes!
ReplyDeleteYour students may feel just as overwhelmed as we did in the beginning of a project. You may want to give them a rubric of guidelines that gives them some direction. Let them be creative within those guidelines, but it ensures some consistency when the final projects come about. It also saves students some stress if they realize what they are doing is not what you wanted at all!
I'd be excited to make a movie in your class Max! You're students will be too!