Video in the Classroom

This week on the website EdTechTalk I listened to the show It's Elementary. The topic of the show was Video in the Classroom with guest speaker Mathew Needleman. I was interested to learn about the different ways that video can be productively integrated into the elementary level classroom. I have taken film and theory classes in college and found them to be very analytical while also learning how to use useful technological tools. I can understand the college level film curriculum but wondered about the logistics of younger children benefiting from it.

Mathew Needleman attended NYU and worked for a time as a small filmmaker before becoming a teacher. He has taught K-3 and is currently not in a classroom but is working with grades 3-5. He says that 'film is not the language of the 21st century. It is the language of the 20th century and schools are just now thinking about catching up'. He explains that ignoring this medium only allows for student ignorance which in the real world can be exploited.

Needleman explains that using video in conjunction with writing assignments motivates students. They can watch their ideas come to life as well as share them with other students. He feels that the process of making a video requires a much more thorough analysis in comparison to just writing. This is an interesting way for teachers to reach children that have different learning styles. Students have the option of viewing their work multiple times in this medium. He noted that they really have no interest in doing things that they are told to do but rather want to do what interests them. From Needleman's own experiences his students were able to better recall units that ended with a video assignment.

In regards to genres of classroom film Needleman directs teachers to use the content of their curriculum to guide them with topics. This helps to create a narrative while still offering students a variety of choices. Instead of just watching a video, the traditional option, students should be allowed and encouraged to express themselves through video. Storyboards help structure the creative process and make a more successful video. Needleman references imovie as a tool for convenient video editing. He explains that children have a strong intuition with these programs from growing up in a digital world. Furthermore he encourages teachers to try it, become familiar with it, see what does and doesn't work and develop this medium within the curriculum.