6.1 The Creative Potential of Video in the Classroom

Image: http://www.bangthetable.com/using-video-to-enhance-your-online-engagement-strategy/

The creative potential for video in the classroom is endless.  It is such a great platform for promoting group work.  I think group work is a very important aspect of being in a classroom setting and often gets lost in the art studio.  Teachers create lessons encouraging more independent work, yielding individual results.  All the students may be in the same room, working from the same prompt but they are not truly interacting.  The social aspect sometimes slips away in the art room.  Of course students will chat and socialize as they work side by side, but they are missing an important opportunity to problem solve together to create a communal piece of art.  This is when video becomes a great tool.  Different roles can be assigned to accomplish a common goal (Think director, actor, videographer, script writer, etc.).

Creating a video can be intimidating, there is so much artistic freedom involved that I think the assignment of roles can create a nice balance and alleviate student anxiety in the face of this daunting task.  The amount of structure implemented in a video assignment can vary from group to group.  As a teacher, you know your students best.  You know who needs that rigidity and who prefers more freedom.  Video is an extremely flexible media that you can stretch and bend to fit the needs of your students.  Combine this with the accessibility of handheld video technology today and there are no limits to what you can accomplish in the art room.  The biggest challenge isn't the technology itself, but it is creating assignments that challenge and intrigue your students!  Use their funds of knowledge to inspire a project.  Make it personal.  Make it fun!