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Movie Maker ScreenVideo Project

Video can be a powerful resource for learning. For years, teachers have integrated instructional videos in their classrooms, because they know that it can be a compelling medium for learners. However, advances in computers and the Internet have made it possible for almost anyone to produce and share their own video creations. Today's computers come with easy to use free video editing software pre-installed (iMovie for Macintosh, MovieMaker for Windows), and sites such as YouTube, TeacherTube and SchoolTube have generated an explosion of video content accessible to people all over the world. Today, teachers and students can easily produce their own creative videos to support learning. The process of engaging students in the production of video can captivate and motivate students to learn more about the subjects they study. It can also promote cooperative learning, creative expression, reflection, and higher-order thinking skills.

Assignment

This project challenges you to create your own short video (1—3 min duration) to support learning within your thematic unit. Use MovieMaker (Windows) or iMovie (Macintosh) to create either a video for your students or an example of a video you would expect your students themselves to create. While the video you create may be designed to support a larger learning activity, the video itself should support one of the stated objectives from your thematic unit description and also align with INTASC Standard 6. Remember, you must follow the Reflection Guidelines to successfully complete this aspect of your assignment.

From Concept to Development
Imagine how video might enhance your thematic unit and perhaps engage the learners in an authentic task. How might they be compelled or motivated by a short video that you create? Why might you challenge students to make their own video? How could that engage students and motivate them to develop a deeper understanding of subject matter? The message concept might be informational, motivational, instructional, persuasive, reflective, etc. The process could involve the cognitive domain (knowledge, higher-order thinking), affective domain (attitudes, opinions, values, emotion), or psycho-motor domain (motor skills, speech development, reading readiness, physical movement).

storyboardOnce you've generated a rough idea for your video project, further refine your plan by developing a storyboard and follow the production process outlined below. Download the storyboard template and print as many pages as necessary to plan your video. The creation of a storyboard is a standard practice employed by creative professionals, and it should make the development process more efficient.

PDF Assignment for October 30: Video Project Storyboard
Print as many pages as needed to depict your planned project. Bring your completed storyboard to lab on the due date. You and a partner will discuss these questions during lab.

 

Preproduction Production Post Production
  • Research & plan the project
  • Create storyboard & write narrative script
  • Gather and plan assets (video clips, still images, sound effects, music, etc.)
  • Record narration
  • Create assets, if necessary (record original video, for example)
  • Assemble assets in iMovie or MovieMaker
  • Add titles, transitions and special effects
  • Create final output (export your project as a compressed, standalone video file to submit in eLearning)

File Management
Gather all assets (images, audio, and video clips) in a single folder and keep all related files organized in that single folder just for your video project. This is critical. Avoid the situation of having files related to the project scattered about in different places on your computer.

Audio/Video Equipment
You can use your own digital camera to take pictures or even record short video clips. Many digital cameras have this feature (to record video with or without audio). Your cell phone might even record pictures or video. If you need assistance using your device, we can attempt to help you during lab and office hours, but please bring the cable and any other accessories that came with your camera. It's a good idea to verify that you know how to transfer pictures and video from your device to the computer before you spend too much time capturing your footage. Take a few moments to test this process with your equipment and confirm that things work as expected.

Copyright
Below, we've provided a number of links to web sites where you can search for assets (video clips, pictures and audio) for your project. You are not required to capture original content, and we encourage you to explore these links in your search for assets. However, you will be expected to strictly adhere to Copyright law and Creative Commons licenses. Because you are required to upload your completed video project to the web, you may not use any media under the terms of fair use. Fair use does not apply to this project, because you will be distributing your video to a wide audience via an unrestricted web site (YouTube).

As you search for images, audio or video clips, locate the terms of use for any media that you intend to download and use in your project. Any image, audio or video clip taken from a source other than your own is subject to the copyright of its owner. Refer to the RWLDs and lecture topic Copyright, Fair Use & Creative Commons for more information. Visit with your instructor if you have additional questions.

Exporting & Submitting
When you are finished editing your video, you must export your video as a standalone Windows Media Video (.wmv) or mpeg file (.mp4). Follow the instructions provided on the last page of the video editing lab outline. This is an essential step in successfully completing your project. Your video must be exported in order to upload your video to the web and submit your assignment.

Login or create a new account on YouTube, the popular video sharing website. Upload the file you export from Movie Maker or iMovie to the site and include a descriptive title, brief description, and tags to help others search for your video (refer to the lab outline for specific tags to include). Please also specify the category (education) and "share your video with the world." Allow plenty of time for the upload process to complete. This may take a long time, depending on your internet connection (a broadband connection is definitely needed for this).

Once your video has been uploaded to YouTube, go to the page where your video plays. Confirm that everything works okay, and then copy and paste the URL from the address bar to the Submission box in the Assignments area of eLearning. Also, copy and paste your written reflection and a description of the edits you made within your video to the same Submission box.

Specific Requirements
  • The video supports one of the objectives from the thematic unit description
  • The aim of the video and related activity is to foster active inquiry, collaboration, or support interaction in the classroom (the components of Standard 6)
  • Duration of video is between 1—3 minutes (you will lose points for shorter or longer videos)
  • Content of video is age-appropriate, accurate, and non-biased
  • Overall quality of video is sufficient to support learning (quality and clarity of images, video and sounds)
  • The video is a compilation of short video clips and/or images (it is not sufficient to simply download and submit a ready-made video as your own or to submit a video that was recorded as one long clip)
  • Editing is evident by use of the following elements: Transitions, titles, and audio (narration, music or sound effects)
  • Written reflection follows the Reflection Guidelines. Additionally, you must include a brief explanation of the type of edits you made (describe your edits including identification of the titles, transitions and effects you added).
  • Sound effects, transitions and special effects, if used, must complement the video's content. These should enhance and support the content, not detract from it.
  • Apply the principles of Contrast, Alignment, Repetition, and Proximity (C.A.R.P.). Visual design includes choices about colors, fonts, graphics, transitions, and any other visual element.
  • Copyright-protected materials (basically anything other than your own original work) are used in accordance with their individual licensing terms or conditions, and these materials are given attribution by citing their source (e.g., within closing credits). Fair use may not be invoked for this project.
  • Video is uploaded to YouTube and includes a title and description, is categorized as "education", and includes the following tags:
    • unietd
    • your section number (in the format 031-01, 031-02, etc)
    • grade level (for example, K-2, grade 6, etc.)
    • subject area (for example, science, math, language arts, etc.)
Additional Resources:

Planning & Tutorials

Video Sources & Tools

  • www.open-video.org (The Open Video Project)
  • www.izzyvideo.com (video blog with video tips)
  • creativecommons.org (Creative commons)
    • search.creativecommons.org (check option to "search for works I can modify, adapt, or build upon" then explore results in each tab)
  • PBS Teachers' Domain (science disciplines)
  • Deturl.com (easiest way to download videos from YouTube)
  • ConverTube.com (convert & download YouTube videos)
  • zamzar (free online file conversion)
  • media-convert.com (convert video clips to other formats)
  • mediaconverter.org (up to 10 free conversions)

Image sources & Tools

Audio Resources

Points: 100

INTASC Standard 6

Point Structure:

Reflection

14
  • Follows the Reflection Guidelines (project aligned with Standard 6)
  • Reflection Quality
  • Reflection also includes a description of the edits made by the student
Content 28
  • Supports the learning objective as described in the reflection
  • Age-appropriate, accurate, and non-biased
  • Accurate spelling and grammar
  • Logical sequence of scenes
  • Duration of video is between 1 and 3 minutes
  
Editing 28
  • The video is a compilation of short video clips and/or images
  • Editing is evident by the student's use of the following elements (and this matches the description of editing included with the submitted reflection):
    • Transitions
    • Titles
    • Audio (narration, music or sound effects)
Visual Design 20
  • Overall quality of video is sufficient to support learning (quality and clarity of images, video and sounds)
  • Transitions, sound and special effects used effectively (they enhance the content rather than detract from it)
  • CARP principles applied effectively (includes use of colors, fonts, graphics, transitions, and other visual elements)
  • Copyright-protected materials are used in accordance with their individual licensing terms or within limitations of the fair use guidelines, and these materials are given attribution by citing their source
  
File Management 10
  • Video is accessible on YouTube via the URL submitted by the student, and it is tagged and described on YouTube according to the specific requirements above.
  • Video URL (address), reflection, and a description of the edits (including identification of the titles, transitions and effectsused) are all submitted correctly to the Assignments area in eLearning.

Special Notes:

  • You may not use any media under the terms of fair use. Fair use does not apply to this project, because you will be distributing your video to a wide audience via an unrestricted website (YouTube).
  • You must export your video from Movie Maker (or iMovie) before you can upload it to the web. Follow the instructions provided on the last page of the video editing lab outline. Allow plenty of time for the upload process to complete. This may take a long time, depending on your internet connection (a broadband connection is definitely required for this, and you will probably find it quickest to upload your video from on campus).
  • Once your video has been uploaded to YouTube, go to the page where your video plays. Confirm that everything works okay, and then copy and paste the URL from the address bar to the Submission box in the Assignments area of eLearning (test that URL to make sure it works).
  • Copy and paste your written reflection along with a description of the edits you made to the Submission box in the Assignments area of eLearning. Your written reflections must follow the Reflection Guidelines. Additionally, you must include a brief explanation of the type of edits made (describe your edits including identification of the titles, transitions and effects you added).


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UNIPage updated: November 3, 2009
Ed Tech & Design Instructors, Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction, University of Northern Iowa