Reading Four- iMovie

This time for the blog, I selected Melanie Howard's article titled Team Up with Digital Video and iMovie for Social Studies excitement. I want to start off by saying that I originally selected this article just based on its title. I know, it was kind of like choosing a book based on the cover but I really have always enjoyed social studies my whole life and I also knew nothing about iMovie so I chose to focus on Howard's article. Enough about why I chose it I want to tell you about the advantage of using iMovie for social studies, and even other subject areas. I learned from the article that one advantage of using iMovie is that projects can really come to life when students and teachers use this technology. In the article, Howard stated that if teachers were doing a unit on community then the teachers can actually have the ability to go out and interview policemen, firemen, nurses, etc. and then show what they taped to the class, edited by the teacher and all. Now think about that, how exciting and engaging would it be for students to have the ability to watch community members talk about their jobs instead of just learning about them through classroom discussion, research, or books. Another advantage of using iMovie in the classroom is that students are able to take "virtual field trips" with the use of iMovie. Howard stated that, the virtual field trip can be used as a preview or follow-up to a field trip or an actual trip if the class simply can not go on a lot of field trips. I thought about some improved learning aspects of taking "virtual field trips" using iMovie and I just think that learning can become real to students since they are able to see and absorb new information visually. For example, if I were to teach a unit on the culture of the people who live in the Appalachian mountains in N.C. but I did not have the opportunity to take my class to the mountains I could simply create an iMovie using still images, video clips, transitions, and a storyboard to help my students learn and learning can become enhanced tremendously in my opinion. In addition to the things I have already mentioned, specific learning situations that iMovie can help address could be situations where students have trouble with reading, or focusing on information for a long period of time. The reason I say that is because I personally used to have trouble learning new things especially if that meant focusing on a text book for a long period of time. I guess the information just wasn't that engaging to me since I am such a visual learner. If iMovie would have been used in the classrooms I was in throughout school I am sure my difficultly with learning and absorbing new information would have been somewhat relieved since I could see the information visually and it would have been so engaging to me. Think about it, what is the typical reaction of students when the teacher says, "Today we are going to be watching a video..."? In all the classrooms I have been in the reaction has usually been YAY! If iMovie can give students and teachers a new opportunity to learn then all kinds of new teaching and learning situations can arise. A digital divide that can keep some people out of the loop such as teachers, parents, and administrators is the simple fact that they might not know or have even heard of iMovie. So there may be some intimidation caused, especially if one teacher on a certain grade level is using iMovie in his or her classroom while no one else has gained the knowledge of how to use it. As a future teacher I have constantly heard that "veteran teachers" are almost scared of new technology. Maybe it is the fear of one day technology taking their jobs. So I look at it as part of my job to inform teachers, parents, and administrators about iMovie so that I can remedy the digital divide that may be associated with iMovie.

I think, as a matter of fact I know that there is room for iMovie in the classroom. The article like I said focused on getting students excited about social studies through the use of iMovie. But I think that iMovie can be used in just about every subject area. Think about it, iMovie would be great when teaching science, math, and literacy. There are many things that one can incorporate into iMovie, it really is just all about using your own imagination and creativity. Not that it should be the only technology used as we all know. A concern that I would have implementing iMovie is that I am sure, as with using anything new, that I may not be familiar with all the advantages of actually conducting my own iMovie. For example, I may have trouble incorporating music, framing the pictures/images that may be used, and manipulating the text and titles to make the iMovie more engaging. What I could do would be to do some tutorials to help me better understand the technology.

I think that all different kinds and types of classroom activities can be enhanced by using this technology. As I have already mentioned how projects and field trips can definitely be enhanced by iMovie but also collaborative learning can be automatically enhanced. I think that when I use iMovie in my own classroom I will ask students to write down any questions they may have while watching the iMovie, even if it is just a short movie. I think that questions could easily arise from any iMovie and after watching one we, as a class, can have a big discussion where students can discuss their thoughts, questions, and reactions to what other classroom members have to say. So, as you can see collaboration and discussions within the classroom can become an activity each time an iMovie is shown. I have learned how important it is for students to teach one another instead of just the teacher implementing instruction at all times. I think that Howard's article was great. I learned about iMovie, how I can use it in my first classroom, and she even gives technology tips on shooting, importing, and editing for iMovie. I am actually in the process of deciding what type of laptop to purchase for my own personal and classroom use. This article really persuades me in the direction to purchase a Mac due to the fact iMovie can only be used for Mac's. I can not wait to use this technology in my future classroom. Not only do I think that students can gain a deeper understanding of what I am teaching them with the use of iMovie, but I think it is going to be impressive for me to use iMovie as a first year teacher. As they say, "It's the first impression that always counts"! Well, hopefully I'll be impressed with myself thanks to this great article. I'm going to bookmark Howard's article as one of "My favorites" so I can refer back to it and share it with my future co-workers and others in the education field.