Blog 4- Filming Compassion

 Any lesson or topic can be enhanced through creating audio or video productions.  Video Production allows students to find and research a topic of interest. Students then create, edit, and publish a video. While Video Production is on the rise, Service learning is also increasing throughout both public and private schools. Video production can be integrated into a school?s service learning requirements. Students enhance their computer skills, while creating a promotional tool for nonprofit agencies. This affects all the students because even if they are not directly in the project they watch and learn from their peers.

In the article ?Filming Compassion?, Janet Bremer and Marilyn Clark discuss a video production class that participates in service learning projects by creating videos for non-profit organizations. The non-profit agencies teamed up with Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy High School students to come up with marketing tools for their agency and by involving students to gain a wealth of knowledge, and earn service-learning hours towards graduation.  Students acquire new skills with video production, and learn about the daily operations of non-profit agencies.  But most importantly, students feel good about making an impact by contributing to a good cause. First, they contacted the organizations to see if they wanted to participate. The students were then placed in groups and given the responsibility to contact their assigned organization. Prior to creating the video, the students had to learn more about the organization by finding out what they did, and how they were going to use the video to educate the public. The students combined their ideas along with the agencies to create a storyboard.  After receiving feedback, the students edited the videos that were eventually assessed using a rubric. Students were able to hone a lot of their computer skills, but the main focus was to get them out in the community to understand the importance of service learning.

Although this article is geared towards high school, it can be modified for all ages. We currently do a few service projects throughout the school year, where the students write and take pictures of their experiences. I could use this idea and have the student?s video tape their services. After editing the videos, the students could share their video with the school to promote service learning. They could even create ? The More You Know? commercials and discuss how beneficial it is to contribute to their community. My students have pen pals in different states. We could collaborate with other students from different parts of the world, and use the video to expand service learning in other states. For example, my students are involved in a community trash pick-up organization. They could film this experience and send it to their pen pals to show how beneficial it is to give back to the community.

Posted at 08:25PM Jun 16, 2006 by CANTELUPE, CARICE in General  |  Comments[0]