YEAR 9 EXAMPLE :

 

 

My year 9 class made short documentaries using camcorders and digital cameras. The groups loaded their tapes onto computers in the DDR room in the schools library. This fits into the cross-curriculum content area of using ICT in that the students learn to create, import and manipulate graphics.

 

 This project addresses the outcomes on stage 5 of outcome 2; A student uses and critically assesses a range of processes for responding and composing. Specifically in that students learn to (2.3) vary their use of the process of planning and editing in a variety of media, and that students learn about (2.9) processes of representation in visual and aural techniques. These outcomes are developed in the production stage of the project whilst outcome 3, A student selects, uses, describes and explains how different technologies affect and shape meaning. This outcome is dealt with in the editing and developing of students work as they learn how to manipulate the technology.

 

Within a unit on issues of adolescence students were divided into groups. As a team of documentary film makers – writer, producer, director, cameraperson and sound editor, the team decided on a type of documentary – fully narrated, observational, interactive, docudrama, etc. as well as the issue they were going to address.

The groups were given a lesson in the library to plan, in which most groups used the computers to research their issue and make up an action plan for research, scripting, interviewing, filming and editing. By utilising the computers the students were able to send copies to each group member on the school intranet.

 

Students had only three lessons to film what they needed to make their documentaries. It was important for the students to be familiar with the camcorders they were working with and a preliminary lesson was given, although some groups hit certain problems with the technology and needed assistance in using the cameras to achieve what they wanted. Planning at this point was imperative for the students to best make use of the equipment.

 

Once the filming was done the students were given several lessons using the moviemaker program to upload and edit their documentary. Students were then given the opportunity to watch all of the completed short documentaries in the schools theatre on the projection screen. They peer assessed their work being given the responsibility of being a film critic; this gave the assessment a real life feel.

 

One observation of using the cameras was that it became a very time intensive process and several lunch hours were taken up helping the students keep up to speed on what they needed to achieve in order to complete their documentaries. During the filming process several groups used their lunch times to get shots that they needed and during the editing process most of the groups found that in order to meet the deadline they needed to put in extra time. These sorts of issues mean that the unit has to be well planned and liaising with the AV department was often necessary in order to book the required facilities and equipment.

 

The students did a review of the project, which asked them to reflect on their learning and the process of making a documentary. All the students pointed out that they needed to plan their time more effectively and they needed clear objectives. Although several groups had encountered difficulties during the editing process, with loading their tapes onto the computer program, saving their projects, and the computers coping with material they wanted to import, the majority of the students felt comfortable with the computers and picked up the skills required extremely quickly. They did find some of the technical hitches extremely frustrating at the time but were able to think of solutions and were prepared to spend the time on their work. Some students had the advantage of being familiar with the program and were able to incorporate graphics, transitions and effects to a greater degree.

 

 

This is the kind of ICT project i enjoy and find easy to accomplish as well as enjoyable for the students.