Teacher Guidelines

PRODUCING A VIDEO IN THE CLASSROOM

Lesson plans

 

This project was carried out in partnership with the Modern Foreign Languages department for a role play on a Tourists Guide to Paris.  For more detailed lesson preparation please refer to the MFL project carried out by Catherine Murray, also of St.Gregory’s School.  Catherine’s project provides valuable resources to prepare a classroom role play activity.

 

This Video project, however, would be suitable for a variety of activities, such as a presentation on a subject area, role play in Drama, discussion activities in PSHE.  It was used with a year 8 PSHE tutorial class to produce work for an anti-smoking campaign.

 

The use of video motivates the pupils to take care with the preparation of their work and the use of the editing tools allows them to make changes to produce their best efforts.

 

The number of lessons for each session may need to be flexible.  For example, more than one lesson may be needed to video the work and session 8 will need several lessons to complete.   There is flexibility for some groups to be videoing and editing while slower groups are still preparing, but this may mean than not all groups will be videoed.   It is expected that this project would take place over one half term’s work.

 

 

Session 1

Introduce Project and plan

Objectives:

To understand the final required outcome.

To work in groups to make decisions and plan

Rationale:

This is a key session where students choose the topic for their presentation and decide who plays which role. One or two of the pupils may be doing the videoing or the teacher may prefer to take this role themselves.   Putting pupils into groups is an important element.  We set up groups of 3 to 5 pupils

Lesson Plan:

Introduce the project, e.g. Tourist Guide to Paris

Put students into groups

Give students time to brainstorm their production and assign roles (15 – 20 mins)

Students should write down the outline in their group

Feedback to the class briefly (5 – 10 minutes)

Resources:

A3 paper and marker pens for each group

Outcome:

Each group should produce an outline of their production and assign roles

Differentiation:

  1. Set up groups of mixed ability.  The stronger pupils will take on a leadership role supporting the less able students
  2. Set up ability groups.  Teacher or classroom assistant would work closely with less able groups.  More able groups would be expected to undertake a more demanding topic

 

Session 2

Research background material

Objectives:

To research effectively

To make decisions on the most suitable material

Rationale:

The production should be based on factual evidence.  Pupils will have an opportunity to research their subject and will need to decide in a group what to include in their production.

Lesson Plan:

Each group should decide what each member is going to research

Carry out research (20 mins)

Back in groups, share results and decide what will be used (10 mins)

Further research on any areas missed the first time.

Save pictures, text etc in user area. 

Summarise key ideas

Resources:

Computers with internet facilities

Access to suitable books, magazines etc.

Teachers may want to provide pupils with a list of suitable web sites

Outcome:

All groups should obtain research material on their topic.  This should include text and images.  Summary of key points

Differentiation:

All students should obtain some research material

More able students will be able to refine their ideas and make informed choices.

 

 

 

Session 3

Draw up a storyboard

Objectives:

To work in a group to make decisions

To make effective plans

Rationale:

It is worth spending some time in mocking out a firm direction to the work.  This will result in a better structure and save time in the long run.  Professional video editing always starts with a storyboard

Lesson Plan:

Explain the concept of a storyboard  (Worksheet 1)

Brainstorm a possible storyboard with the whole class (possibly with a different topic)

Students then work in groups to produce storyboard with key ideas, including camera positions and size of shot (e.g. long range or close up)

Resources:

Original plan and research materials (from sessions 1 and 2)

A3 paper (or larger if possible) for each group to produce storyboard

Glue and scissors to cut and paste

Worksheet 1

Outcome:

Storyboard from each group

Differentiation:

Differentiation by outcome.  If mixed ability groups, more able students would take an active role.  If in same ability groups, the less able groups should still be able to produce a simple storyboard, but with less points

 


 

Session 4

Write script

Objectives:

To produce written material for production based on the research

Rationale:

There needs to be a structure to what is being acted out.  However, the script can be used just as a prompt and they can expand and ad lib during the actual video if appropriate.  It is important to make sure that everyone’s role is clearly defines

Lesson Plan:

In groups, write out the script based on the storyboard and including resource material

Teacher should spend some time supporting each group as appropriate

Resources:

Plan, resource material and storyboard from previous sessions

Outcome:

Script from each group

Differentiation:

Again, more able pupils will take an active role but less able pupils should still make a valued contribution.  Teachers will need to support the less able students in this session

 

 

 

 

 

Session 5

Practice the presentation

Objectives:

Reflect on and refine the production

Rationale:

Groups should now practice the actual production and refine their ideas.  This is a valuable opportunity for group discussion – it will probably be a more “lively” session

Lesson Plan:

Assign each group a working area of the room

Groups to practice and refine their production with the assistance of the teacher. 

Resources:

Storyboard and script

Outcome:

The teacher should have seen each group in action by the end of the session.  Each presentation should last about 2 to 3 minutes

Differentiation:

More able students will take an active role, less able students will still be able to make a contribution

 


 

Session 6

Record the video

Objectives:

Make a recording of the presentation. 

Rationale:

This may need to be shot from different angles and with a variety of zooms.  This is a more difficult session and teachers will need to think carefully how best to carry it out.  In the pilot project, we were able to video 5 groups in a 50 minute period (just!!!).   It is important that the audience is quiet during the videoing.  It can be quite time consuming and the teacher may only want to video the best two or three groups.  If there is sufficient rooms and equipment, two groups may be able to work at the same time.  It is important to try to keep to the timescale for each group.  The teacher will need to be familiar with the video camera or else have some technical support

Lesson Plan:

Set up a filming schedule.  Arrange the room into a filming area and an audience area. 

Resources:

Video camera, scripts for prompting

Outcome:

All groups should be videoed

Differentiation:

Working as a group

 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Before the next session, the videos must be downloaded into the pupils’ working area.  Technical support may be required at this point.  Worksheet 2

Session 7

Begin editing

Objectives:

Understand the basic features of the video editing package

Rationale:

The teacher will demonstrate the basic features of the package to the class.  Students will then begin to edit their own videos.  It would be advisable to make a copy of the original downloaded video in case errors are made.  

Alternatively – the teacher may prefer to follow these guidelines to produce the finished video themselves or to work with a small group of more able students only

Lesson Plan:

Teacher demonstration of program features (Worksheet 3)

At this stage, the teacher may wish for the pupils to work alone or in pairs.  For example – in a group of 4, one pair could begin work on the editing while another pair could collect images and prepare subtitles, work on producing an advertising poster or supporting notes. They could change over half way through the editing.  Alternatively, both pairs could edit the video separately and the best one could be selected to be shown to the class later. 

Resources:

Video downloaded into pupils’ work area. 

Video editing package (instructions are given for Microsoft Moviemaker)

Projector for whole class demonstration

Worksheet 3

Outcome:

Pupils will begin editing the video presentation, putting the video clips into a timeline

Differentiation:

Assign different tasks within the group. 


 

Session 8

Finish editing and add transitions, sound and titles

Objectives:

To add effects, transitions, audio, images and titles

Rationale:

Pupils will add the extra features to refine their production, following their storyboard.  This will take several lessons and some technical support may be needed at this stage. 

Lesson Plan:

Teacher to demonstrate extra features (Worksheets 4, 5 and 6)

Pupils to continue in pairs to finish editing the video

Follow worksheet 7 to produce a final video, suitable for viewing.

Resources:

Video downloaded into pupils’ work area. 

Video editing package (instructions are given for Microsoft Moviemaker)

Projector for whole class demonstration

Worksheets 4, 5, 6  and 7

Outcome:

Finished video production

Differentiation:

By outcome, depending on ability

 

 

 

Session 9

Show final videos

Objectives:

To show finished result to peers and obtain feedback

Rationale:

This is an opportunity for pupils to show their work to the rest of the class.   The teacher should encourage the rest of the class to give positive feedback and advice for improvement

Lesson Plan:

Organise a time slot for each group.

Show videos to class

Ask for positive feedback and advice

Resources:

Computer with movie package

Finished video production

Projector

Outcome:

Pupils give feedback on finished videos

Differentiation:

By outcome.

 

 

 

Session 10

Self assessment exercise

Objectives:

To evaluate their work and make suggestions for improvement

Rationale:

It is important for students to reflect on their results.  They should consider what new skills they have learnt;  what was successful;  what could have been improved;  how well they prepared;  how well they worked as a group

Lesson Plan:

Teacher to explain the evaluation process (Worksheet 8)

Pupils evaluate their own project.  If time, they could also give written feedback on the other groups’ work

Resources:

Worksheet 8 and 8a

Outcome:

Completed evaluation sheets

Differentiation:

Less able students may need prompting with a word frame (Worksheet 8a)