Getting Started Crafting an Assignment Containing a Video Component
Adding a video component to an assignment can make the course work more interesting, enjoyable, and exciting for the students and, at the same time, increase the depth of their learning.
Would you like to try adding video to one of your course assignments but you need some help getting started? Think about the following:
- First, identify an area in your course where adding video would increase student learning.
Some examples might be interviews, demonstrations of how to perform a task, recitations, small group performances, group or individual speeches or presentations, video to be used in a PowerPoint presentation, e-portfolio introductions, or a visual “diary” or “journal” documenting the development of a project.
- Then determine what you want the students to learn from adding a video component to an assignment.
Maybe you want them to practice interviewing or presentation skills. Or reach a deeper understanding of the material. Or, maybe the goal of your assignment is to give them experience working in groups. Or, maybe you just want them to learn to use the video equipment.
- After determining the goal, establish who the audience will be for the students’ projects.
Will you be the only one viewing the students’ works or could the finished videos be used in students’ e-portfolios? Maybe it would increase learning to have peer review of the finished projects so the audience for the project might be others in the class. Students need to know who their audience will be so they can make their presentations appropriate for that group.
- Next, think about the process for completing an assignment when a video component is added.
What are the tasks students will need to perform in order to successfully complete the project? For example, will you assign a topic or will they choose a topic? Do they know how to use the video equipment or will they need to learn how to use the equipment? Do they know how to work in teams or will they need to learn how to work in teams? Will they need instruction on storyboarding? Script writing?
Assignments need to contain descriptions of the tasks students need to complete as well as directions on how to complete each task.
For maximum student success, you will need to establish a timeline with due dates for each task and regularly check student progress to be sure no one is falling behind.
- Determine a format for submitting the finished project
Do you want the final file to be a QuickTime file ready for streaming? Or would you prefer a VHS tape or a DVD?
The format you choose might be closely tied to the audience as well as the method of determining grades. Will the video need to be available to a number of people in a short period of time? Then streaming might be the best format. Will the video be reviewed by a face-to-face synchronous group? Then a DVD or VHS tape might be best.
- Determine how the assignment will be evaluated and grades determined
Video assignments can be a challenge to grade! Your grading method will probably depend on the complexity of the assignment and the tasks involved in completing it. You will probably need to assess process as well as product. Matrixes usually work well for video assignments by helping you translate the tasks into numbers, which can then be translated into letter grades. The example assignments listed below should give you some ideas of methods for grading assessment.
Now that you have an idea of what’s involved
Now that you have read through the basic steps for crafting a video assignment, think about the assignment you would like to create or modify. Go back over each of the points listed above and make notes. Then look at the example assignments listed below. Each of these assignments was pulled from the Internet and is a “real world” example of assignments given to students. These examples are presented not necessarily as models to follow, but rather as sources from which you will be able to assess the kinds of details you may need to include in your assignment.
http://ci.coe.uni.edu/edtech/ecit/syllabi/240-139g/PDFFILESFORCLASS/Videoassignment.pdf
http://www.cs.bham.ac.uk/~ajb/teaching/design/assessment_components.html
http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/compsci708s1c/assignments/708assignment2_2005.html
http://sites.unc.edu/composition/materials/assignments/12texts/psa_videos.html
http://www.d.umn.edu/~jiyoon/5415/imovievideodue.html
http://www.d.umn.edu/~jiyoon/5415/claymationdue.html
After you have a good idea of what your assignment will look like and how it will work, feel free to come to Studio 204 and talk to us. We provide one-on-one training for using the video equipment and the editing equipment as well as instructional design consulting. Everything you need to run a successful student video project is conveniently located in one place.
Summary
Assignments containing a video component need to:
- Have specific objectives so students will know what they are supposed to be learning.
- Have a description of the audiences for the project
- Have a list of the tasks students will need to complete in order to successfully complete the assignment
- Have directions on how to complete each task
- Have a timeline with due dates for completion of tasks
- Specify a format for submitting finished project
- Specify how the assignment will be evaluated and grades determined
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From "Getting Started Crafting an Assignment Containing a Video Component"
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