Making Movies Engages Students
Sixth graders in Team Zeal burst into the new “Tech Commons” in the John Jay Middle School Library, ready to learn. Their teacher, Kathy O'Neil, had given them a heads up that they would be using iMovie and learning how to use a green screen app.
The new skills will be used to communicate their discoveries about China. Their research, done in pairs, was well-underway. The resulting documentaries, public service announcements, newscasts, and video narratives will be shared with the whole team as a film festival next month.
Facilitating New Skills
Playing with new Skills
New Tools and Space
The students have already adapted to the new tools and space. Each one picked up a school-provided iPad at the charging station, found a seat and logged on using their school email. Demonstrations and instruction led by O’Neil, Staff Developer Catherine Graybosch, and Middle School Librarian Jennifer Useted, quickly led to students doing for themselves. They were eager and excited to play and learn.
“This is fun!”
“I want to experiment!”
“I have a trick. Let me show you.”