Using Digital Media

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Using Digital Media in the Classroom
Video images are a powerful way to tell a story or explain something to others. Now, with the variety of tools available, almost anyone can create digital media. Look no further than YouTube! Creating digital media is a great way to engage students and address curriculum and comprehension. How can we leverage this technology that is becoming more and more prevalent in our classroom? We will take a look at the process, instructional relevance, and techniques for creating video as part of student learning.

Contents

[edit] Essential Questions

What is media's message?

If a picture is worth a thousand words, what is a video worth? YouTube and other video sharing sites have exploded over the past several years. Just about every demographic is having a voice with digital media. What is the impact of social video in education? What does this mean for learning?

How does media enhance learning?

In what ways can we use digital media to front load students with information about a topic or concept? How can digital media be used to provide students with more information related to a topic or concept? How do we ensure that information being sought by students is relevant, factual or appropriate?

[edit] Why Social Media?

With the Internet becoming a pervasive medium the concept of user created content has become the norm, as opposed to the exception. Over the past 10 years digital tools have evolved so that any user can create and distribute their own media, without anything more than a simple camera, and an easily created web site. Here to introduce you to the concept of Social Media is Lee LeFever from Common Craft.

[edit] What is Media's Message?

Over the next few days not only will we be looking at how to create our own message on the web, but also looking at others examples of messages on the web. No matter what genre of media there is always an underlying message. Over the next few minutes we will take a look at two pieces of media and see what type of movie you will be watching in the theater this weekend.

Here are some things to think about as you watch the following clips:

  • What genre of film will you be watching?
  • What elements frame the genre of film?
  • What are the main differences between these videos? Think about how basic elements such as music and narration can have different appeal and send a different message.
  • What are the visual aspects. audio aspects, that help you determine the kind of film.

Original Trailer

Remake Trailer

[edit] More Media

Now that we have had a fun example of the use of media to direct feelings and emotions what are some of the things that you see as important to the medias message?

Brainstorm your ideas on what elements are needed to relay you message.

Now that you've seen some great examples, think about discuss the concept of digital media. What are the main differences between these videos? Think about how basic elements such as music and narration can have different appeal. We've all heard of YouTube and we've all seen the phenomena behind such a popular, global resource. Why do you think such content creates such interest? Generally, digital media is current and relevant. There are numerous software applications for both Macs and PCs in which educators can make digital media to address instructional needs as well as engage students and encourage creativity for student created projects, as well as enhance learning and comprehension.

Here are some other resources in which to view digital media.

To get your feet wet, create a short digital media project using Photo Story 3 .

[edit] Copyright or Wrong

The wonderful world of copyright, is something that needs to be thought about while creating videos especially if you plan on using parts of someone else's work.

[edit] The Law

Copyright Law is very complex, however there are 4 simple guidelines that you can follow to keep yourself safe from the Copyright Police. The following are guidelines for fair use.

  1. the purpose of the use
  2. the nature of the work used
  3. the amount of the work used
  4. the effect the use will have on the potential market for the work used

You must realize however that you must meet all four criteria.

One thing to remember when creating digital media - all content that is not originally created may have copyright protection, for example: graphics and music.


NOTE: The percentages are guidelines only.

  1. Print - 10% or 1,000 words a 250 word poem, a single chapter of a book, an article less that 2,500 words.
  2. Images - less than 5 images per artist 10% of collected works
  3. Music - 10% or 30 seconds,
  4. Video - 10% or 3 minutes
  5. Numerical Data - 10% pr 2,500 fields

[edit] Copyright Free - Conditional Copyright

Since the Internet has changed the way people perceive copyright movements have been started to allow the creators of content to decide how they want others to use their content. One such movement that has been successful is called Creative Commons, which allows the content creator to assign how others may use their content.

Creative Commons allows users to decide what it is that you can do with their creation. So much so that other services out there have begun to allow to add the Creative Commons to your own content. One such example is Flickr which allows people to upload photos and assign it a Creative Commons license. Here is a search for pictures showing Hurricanes within Flickr that are under Creative Commons licensing.

Other resources such as Teacher Tap actually are collections of Public Domain and Copyright free images.

With all these types of images you can easily incorporate images in to your media projects. As well as educate students about what it means to hold the Copyright of a creation.

[edit] Creation Tools and Tips

[edit] Choosing a Project to Film

There are many different genres of film and media, and they can be creating in a variety of ways with: still images, video clips, graphics, text, or a mix of all. The only limit on creating a project is time, and resources. It is surprising however how much can be done with limited resources and some time. Note: Time for completion of a project in this sense is needed. A film can be created in three days, but time must be dedicated to it.

Some different genres that you might want to try with students or offer as suggestions to students are"

  • Public Service announcements - Examples
  • Documentaries related to historical events a la Ken Burns Documentary 911
  • Commercials
  • Music videos
  • Autobiographical
  • Creating alternate endings - Mashups
  • Creating a story about their learning - Annabel Lee
  • Film about a process DIY

[edit] The Process

As with any project there is a process for creating the end product. With media there are many different creative processes, however there are also tools to help people frame their ideas and organize their project. Here are some of the basic steps to creating a piece of media.


  • Storyboards - Think of the goals and objectives of the message or lesson you'd like to convey. Plotting the "story" is a great way to ensure your message is illustrated and will save time and energy during the editing process.
  • Scripts
  • Music selection - There are many free music entities on the web. Remember The Shining examples? Look at how music changed the focus of the video. Music is important in regards to the tone of the piece you are creating.


  • Fliction
  • Photostory Care-to-Share - Analysis of copyright

[edit] Creating a Storyboard

Prior to beginning such a project, you need to flesh out what the purpose of creating digital media. Creating a storyboard, even a quick outline is essential to creating an instructional media that addresses essential questions and goals. Remember to think about standards, curriculum, and district initiatives prior to creating digital media. Here is an example of what a storyboard might look like.

Photo Story 3

It is important to do the following:

  • Map ideas and clips
  • Analyze ideas and concepts
  • Decide on what is your message.
  • Write out your script
  • Photostory Care-to-Share - Analysis of copyright
  • Creating a simple project for students to do.
    • Fliction

[edit] Make it Social

Now that you or your students have created a project what do you do with it? In the past it simply was share the end project with fellow students and teachers. Now with the flexibility of the web it is easy to simply share your media by creating a web presence. Whether you are using a School World page or a blogging platform like Edublogs you can upload and share your media.


  • embedding video in a webpage
  • sharing digital media
  • converting digital media projects to video
  • Edublogs How To
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