Reflection 3, Week 4

This week’s selection of digital tools is very interesting and one in particular to be honest, I found absolutely daunting. Whenever I attempted video editing, as a child it was not successful and this feeling was prevalent when I started reading this week’s topics. So I dived in on the digital tool I had the most reservations about and created a video. I took photos at a setting and then a one-minute video then I started editing.

The editing software I chose to use was iMovie from Apple. I captured the photos and film on my iPhone, and then uploaded the content onto my laptop desktop for ease of finding the content. With iMovie I was amazed at the ease of use with this program.

First you input the footage you wish to use, select a theme or backdrop to use and how to transition between different focus changes in the film. The most difficult part of this was choosing a theme. To my surprise the software breaks the film into sections, which I can then pick and choose how much time in the section of film I actually want to use. Adding text over the film is as simple as select the type of text and format you wish displayed. Click and drag to the section of the video you want the text type. On the purple bar above the film itself you can set the time for the text, longer or shorter just by clicking and dragging.

                                         

                                          Theme selection screen in iMovie

Adding stills (photos) is just as simple. The user retrieves the stills from their saved location, click and drag to the desired part of the movie and then adjust the desired time shown of the still.

Final but not least at all was sound. It was again as simple as clicking on where the users music is stored (in my case iTunes) select the desired tune and you can choose from where to start the music. The user can chose at the beginning, a few seconds in right up to the last few seconds of the sound track if they wish. 

                                          Film editing in iMovie

Exporting the movie again is a simple task. Click on the share button, where nine options come up. I selected theatre as I like my files saved locally and then clicked and dragged the rendered work onto the desktop. I then uploaded the file to Youtube. I really couldn’t believe how simple this process has been considering how daunting I thought it was going to be.

If you wish to view a more in depth guide to using iMovie please see:

The film I created with iMovie:

                                          The instrumental music room

Use of video creation in a classroom setting is very engaging for the students. But the first things to consider:

-       School policy for video recording

-       Are students and parents comfortable for the students to be captured on video?

-       Who is viewing the material?

-       What is the purpose and projected outcomes for the footage?

-       Are there any legal considerations?

After all these points considered and if it was authorised by the school the assessment task I would construct is this:

I have 10 students in music class, making two bands. As apart of their performance the students are to perform at a school lunch break. While one band is performing the other is filming and this performance practicum incorporate film where they edit the film, add text and stills to the film. Each band would watch the film they were performing in and they can add a piece on the end where they evaluate their own performances and reflect on their experiences within the performance. This would not just be limited to during the performance itself but also encompass reflection on rehearsals, set up during the performance and pack down.

Substitution

Film used in the classroom as a passive tool for the students to view in class

Augmentation

Where I the teacher create a short video where I instruct the students on a task such as what are the objectives of today’s lesson

Modification

Incorporation of videos into assessment tasks where students have valuable hands on experience creating, editing and use of film within an assessment topic

Redefinition

Using video and film creation more in the school environment overall in everyday general learning.

                                          Another view of the music room