Engagement Task 7: Digital Video

Group 2 Technologies

 Digital Tool 2: Digital Video

 In today’s society we are immersed in various convenient ways to engage with information and video is by far one of the most popular. The views of videos uploaded on YouTube alone can attest to this. With the ability to transmit information to others through visual and audio mediums provides opportunities for sharing knowledge to a vast audience.

Personally, I love engaging with technological mediums and tend towards completing assignments that include the use of some sort of visual engagement element before those that don't. This could also be true of the children that we teach, as so many people today react positively to digital video.

With clever manipulation of tools teachers can provide engaging lesson hooks and activities made from the
most simple images, audio files and films. In addition to this our students are able to provide their input via the form of digital video as well.

 Imagine a classroom where students are eager to have their assessment started! – With the stimulation provided by interacting with technological tools such as digital video when learning, we provide our students with a positive and creative environment where they feel capable and willing to present their work to teachers, parents and fellow students.

While the outcomes in terms of creativity may vary from student to student, I believe it is the chance to apply their knowledge and understanding of a topic in a creative way that is the key. (Not to mention, enjoyable for the teacher marking it!)

I have provided an example of a video that I made as a pre service teacher in my first year of study. The presentation was initially made via Windows Movie Maker 2.6. I have since uploaded this on to YouTube as I find this platform easier to access and utilise. Our assessment was based on our manipulation of the tools and images to make a video that showed our engagement with the course about arts education and curriculum and reflected on our own personal experiences within the arts. 

The Movie Maker 2.6 is a straightforward and simple to use program that allows you to make your own movies. With the real time editing capabilities of this tool you can remove the scenes from the movie that you don't want or need so that it becomes interesting. With this tool it is easier; to make changes in your movie by editing some shots, drag and drop certain clips in your movie, transfer the movie into a CD, share your movie on web etc. 

YouTube also is a straightforward tool to assist with the creation or editing of videos. As YouTube is available to everyone, not just Windows users I find this to be the better option to familiarise yourself within the editing process. Also, I discovered recently that you can make slideshow presentations with the YouTube Upload funtion - in this section you have the choice to Record with your Webcam, to Create a photo slideshow, to Broadcast on Google+ and to create videos. This is an altogether creative area and simple to use. You may use images from your own albums or you can upload them from elsewhere.