The reason that I chose this lesson plan if because of the vocabulary that is required of the students and for the integration of technology that is so relevant to the filmmaking aspect of the lesson. Not only is the teacher required to use technology and understand what they're doing, but the students also have to understand and use the technology that they're given. Also, the students are required to work together, go out and do something outside of the classroom, and they need to be able to integrate what they’re learning in the classroom to what they’re filming outside of the classroom. Integration of classroom and technology is a huge part of this lesson plan.
There were some evident gaps. It was hard to rally in the lesson plan since it is such a drawn out lesson, taking up more than two weeks of class time, but once I got a handle on it, it was easier to pinpoint what needed to be added where. I noticed that there wasn’t much student involvement in the lesson until they had to film, so I added some more group work, as well as more teacher-student collaborations before the end product was due. The students and teachers need to work pretty closely with one-another on this project so in order for that to happen, they needed to have more connectivity during instead of just at the end.
The curriculum goal is to have a finished film as the end product of this two-week lesson, therefore film equipment, editing software, computers, and projectors, Smartboards, or some other kind of viewing stations were a vital necessity to the end result of this lesson. In order for the students to succeed with this project, technology both as part of their involvement and the teachers involvement was extremely important.
Shelby, I think that your lesson is great. I really liked the idea of using film as a way of learning the vocabulary of film itself. I have always thought that in order for a student to really learn something, they need to know why they need to learn it. In this case, if they do not learn the vocabulary, they will not know how to create films. On another note, I thought that your additions to this lesson plan were very right on task and I would have probably incorporated more group work also. In short, I think that if you use this strategy in your own classroom, you will definitely get your students to learn. Your chosen lesson plan really shows what incorporating technology should look like.
ReplyDeleteShelby,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading on your lesson plan because it reminded me of my lesson plan and the importance of keeping students engaged outside of the classroom as well. I particularly liked how the students had to use their creativity in creating a film. However, the creation of the film was structured in a way that shows students how to use technology. This project is fun and loose but at the same time gives students guidelines to follow so that they feel they are learning. Also, I think it is a nice way to incorporate the visual arts in an English class. Visual learners, amongst others, could really benefit from this lesson. I think it is a great way to get students involved and learning beyond school hours. It is also a nice way for students to work collaboratively and share ideas. If I have access to this equipment when I become a teacher, I will be sure to incorporate a lesson similar to this one.
I really liked the breakdown you created for your lesson plan. I have noticed in my cooperating district that many of the teachers have become frustrated with the students behavior towards vocabulary. Unless directly instructed to do so, the students do not interact with the words. This lesson seamlessly integrates vocabulary so that the students don't even realize that they are learning new words from the curriculum. Like you mentioned, I didn't think there was enough group work integrated in the lesson. Today's classroom and society is built upon the framework of group dynamics. It has become difficult for students our age and older to adapt to these ideals because they were not instilled in our education. Students today have learned to value group work and will be able to use it as a tool to succeed rather than getting out responsibility.
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