I bought my first Mac in 2000 specifically to make movies. Nine years later, I get to teach an entire class to make their own. Being able to laugh, critique, talk about each other’s work is one of most amazing things I’ve experienced as a teacher.
To see genuine excitement in their faces as they watch with pride, sometimes embarrassment, the movies they made on their own. I’ve waited nine years to do this.
And they’re learning. Learning from their mistakes. Misspellings distract from a movie. Keeping a straight face. Looking at the camera instead of the other actor. People magically popping into a scene. Saying a line before the director’s assistant can get out of the shot.
It’s priceless. Seeing their writing improve is good too! Just baby steps for right now. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
So is there anybody you would not want me to boast to about the work you and your students are doing? If so, let me know, because I am pretty sure administrators, teachers, and parents within and beyond our district will also want a window into the transformative learning environment of your classroom.
I am still reeling from my Friday morning (unplanned, unannounced, spur-of-the-moment) visit. After you headed out to join your student team of videographers, I stayed behind for awhile. The fact that you had left and a substitute was in charge had no visible impact. Your students were completely engaged in the act of digital composing (working on movie scripts, movie editing, and blogging).
In looking at the two paragraphs above, I see red lines under “transformative” and “videographers.” Clearly the spell checker has not entered the 21st century – the way you and your students have.
Looking forward to continuing the learning journey into the New Year!