Cell Phones: An Incredible Way to Unleash Student Creativity
Recently, I asked the students in my multimedia class to use their cell phones to create their latest projects. You would have thought I had just told them that they had won the lottery. Once the dust settled and the projects were finished, I was amazed at how creative the kids were.
No, the footage was not as crisp and clear as the films from the rest of the year that were shot on high-end equipment. However, to be fair, I didn't expect them to be. One thing I do know is that I would have to search far and wide to find a device that kids are more connected to. I believe it is our job as educators to help provide opportunities for our students to connect the curriculum with the real world. I also know that cellular technology will continue to advance as time passes. Who knows how long it will be before we are carrying cell phones in our pockets that have HD capability.
Another thing to consider is the importance of teaching our students journalistic integrity. They certainly have the power to shoot compelling video and post it so millions of people around the world can see it. With that said, our students also need to know what responsibilities they have in regards to posting content.
We are still in the process of uploading the videos to our classroom site, but thought I would share a couple of them with you. Alfalfa Grove, was edited in Final Cut Pro. The vfx work was completed in Maya. The audio overlay was finished via Pro Tools. The student who produced the film wanted to give viewers the impression it was shot by someone who had just heard a breaking news story while driving down the road, and had hopped out of the car to grab some footage for You Tube.
The next film, Not Alone, was shot in color. However, both student directors decided to remove the color in post to give it the look of an old erie suspense film. Originally, they had decided to produce the film without a music track. In the end, they went back and added a piece of music, which I think made a dramatic difference in the final product. This film was also edited in Final Cut Pro.
Both films were shot on lower end cell phones. Some of the other projects had a lot less grain in them. Some of my students decided to do all of the editing with their shooting in camera. Another decided to use Windows Movie Maker. All of the films were completed within three days. I know that cell phones in most schools are considered the bane of the administration. However, I would like for you to consider the positive uses they can have in a school setting, and consider running a test project for yourself. I know that they have already become an integral part of my classroom setting.
-joe
No, the footage was not as crisp and clear as the films from the rest of the year that were shot on high-end equipment. However, to be fair, I didn't expect them to be. One thing I do know is that I would have to search far and wide to find a device that kids are more connected to. I believe it is our job as educators to help provide opportunities for our students to connect the curriculum with the real world. I also know that cellular technology will continue to advance as time passes. Who knows how long it will be before we are carrying cell phones in our pockets that have HD capability.
Another thing to consider is the importance of teaching our students journalistic integrity. They certainly have the power to shoot compelling video and post it so millions of people around the world can see it. With that said, our students also need to know what responsibilities they have in regards to posting content.
We are still in the process of uploading the videos to our classroom site, but thought I would share a couple of them with you. Alfalfa Grove, was edited in Final Cut Pro. The vfx work was completed in Maya. The audio overlay was finished via Pro Tools. The student who produced the film wanted to give viewers the impression it was shot by someone who had just heard a breaking news story while driving down the road, and had hopped out of the car to grab some footage for You Tube.
The next film, Not Alone, was shot in color. However, both student directors decided to remove the color in post to give it the look of an old erie suspense film. Originally, they had decided to produce the film without a music track. In the end, they went back and added a piece of music, which I think made a dramatic difference in the final product. This film was also edited in Final Cut Pro.
Both films were shot on lower end cell phones. Some of the other projects had a lot less grain in them. Some of my students decided to do all of the editing with their shooting in camera. Another decided to use Windows Movie Maker. All of the films were completed within three days. I know that cell phones in most schools are considered the bane of the administration. However, I would like for you to consider the positive uses they can have in a school setting, and consider running a test project for yourself. I know that they have already become an integral part of my classroom setting.
-joe
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Anne Pemberton on
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Joe,
These are impressive. But, if one is teaching history or literature, or even math, what uses do you see for the cell phone?
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Joe,
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Permalink Reply by Joe Fatheree on
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A friend of mine uses cell phones in his classroom and asks his students to use text messaging to take on the roles of Romeo and Juliet and send messages to one another. He uses that exercise as a way to teach traditional English.
I have had more than one student use the technology to create documentaries about historical topics. The story telling components make the device useful in both history and language arts classrooms. Students still have to do the research, writing, and planning stages before they can move on to the filming. My students do a lot of all three before they move on to production. Good interviews take a lot of work, and a certain degree of mastery of the subject matter.
Students sit up an listen when you say break out your cell phones. I have their attention right out of the gate. They also realize my classroom is one of the few places in schools where they can actually be used, so they are very careful to abide by my guidelines.
I guess you've noticed that I passed right over the how to integrate a cell phone into a math classroom, so I better do it now:) Math is definitely an area that is challenging. However, consider having your students create their own math word problems in living video. The lesson would go something like this:
1. Handout the assignment. Each student is required to create a video word problem. As an example, Johnny shoots a short piece that require the viewer to solve a fraction problem.
2. Each student is required to write out a word problem. Next, they are to create a short film to illustrate the problem. (The word problem is used as the script)
3. The videos can be uploaded to your website, shared with one another, burned on a DVD, downloaded to ipods, and etc to be used as a classroom instructional tool.
With a little creativity, I think the devices can be used in almost every classroom. The two most important things I see coming out of these lessons are:
1. Student engagement
2. How to use the device to connect the curriculum with the real world
I hope to upload several lesson plans related to the topic to my website some time in the next few weeks. I will post something on this site just in case there is an interest.
-joe
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Joe,
Great answer to my question!!! When you make those lessons plans, be sure to post it on here somewhere. I'd like to link them to the lesson plans on http://www.educationalsynthesis.org ....
Finding uses for things the kids like to work with is what it means to truly "Educate in the 21st Century"!
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