Challenges:
As with anything in life, we experienced a number of challenges which really is a positive with respect to the learning process. The first major challenge was the arrival date of the technology to our district tech department. The equipment arrived in early December which caused issues in terms of the fact that the Tourism class was in Semester I running from September to the end of January. The tech department was quick with respect to installing the software and getting the equipment out to us.
However, we had to hold off teaching the students how to use the GoPros and the film editing software until mid December. In order to overcome this challenge, we front loaded all of the planning, tourism concepts, story boarding, filming techniques, and digital citizenship. Students were able to start with the filming and editing as soon as the equipment arrived; they started just before Christmas holidays and finished in late January. As previously mentioned, we weren't firm on students using Filmora because of the later arrival of the equipment. Some groups used Windows Movie Maker and iMovie, while other groups used Filmora.
Another issue that all groups experienced was filming too much footage. Although we discussed this with them before they went out into the field, it was too easy for them to get caught up in filming. Students were then left with the daunting task of editing vast volumes of video. As they went back and filmed more, they were better at filming shorter segments that contained the key footage they wanted to capture. I think that the only way for anyone to learn this is for them to experience it.
Although students found the Surface Pros and Filmora software easy to use, they did experience some frustrations around the speed of importing video. They were used to more powerful computers so that made the process much quicker. However, the great volume of their film footage was part of the issue (LOL)!
One group did experience a glitch whereby a clip imported only 2 minutes when the clip was actually 4 minutes. A couple of groups had Filmora freeze when they were in the middle of editing their videos. We weren't able to fix these issues but worked around them with not too much of an impact.
The Leadership group had issues with the their speech being heard in the video. They tried adjusting the volume within Filmora but it didn't fully resolve the issue. I think it was likely the sound being picked up on the cameras. We are still trying to see if we can find a solution within Filmora but don't have class again until Monday so may need to wait until then to resolve. We will post the higher quality video when we have it fixed and completed.
Some of the overall challenges were the actual time and energy it took to create quality videos. Groups were sometimes disappointed in the end quality of their films as they felt too rushed or they lost the drive to complete the assignment to their full potential. Realizing this is a valuable lesson for them to learn in life:)
In terms of collaboration, we had very few challenges with groups of students working together. The biggest issue they had was trying to arrange their schedules so that they could meet up to film. They were all eventually able to do this. Whenever differences of opinions or minor conflicts arose in the groups, they were able to handle it on their own in productive and positive ways:)
Successes:
Overall, we believe the project was a success for students in all three classes. They achieved the goals we set out at the beginning. Students were all involved in a high degree of learning, skill development, team work, and problem solving. In the end, most groups were proud of their work, while those that were not, realized the importance of time management and the amount of time it takes to create videos.
Our Tourism groups were able to make videos of the Comox Valley that highlighted various attractions and recreational activities. They included these on the website their class created to highlight the Valley to teens.
The Media groups learned how to use Filmora by editing previously created videos and then by creating their own works. They are close to being finished their own videos; I'll post a couple of these on this site when completed (later in June). The students really enjoyed learning Filmora by editing an already created film.
The Leadership group created a video that will be shown on the Grade 8 orientation evening for incoming students and their parents. The video gives a tour of the school. After the video, students will be completing a scavenger hunt to find the different areas and rooms of the school.
Advice/Recommendations:
The most significant lesson we learned for this project is to allow for sufficient time for groups to create truly high quality videos. We realize the process is important but so is the end product. Editing took a lot longer than we anticipated,and students really need to be able to devote enough time to polish their work.
As well, it is important to have students film in segments if possible, so that they can come and edit their segments and see what they need to do to improve their filming. This was especially the case in terms of the sound in the school tour video. We also recommend that regular check-ins with the teachers is essential in order to make sure that groups are on track and can receive feedback on how to improve the quality of their filming and editing.
Finally, although the quality of some of our videos was not what we were hoping for, students need to have fun! Our students all commented that they enjoyed participating in this project.