Hi!
I will tell you about a programme called Windows movie maker. It is quite similar to Photo Story but since some of you already have been telling us about that I will tell you about Windows movie maker.
What the resource is and how you can get it
Windows movie maker is a programme you can download to your computer for free by google it. There are many different versions of the programme but the most easy one (and one of the versions you can download for free) is Windows movie maker 2.1. This is a programme that both teachers and pupils can use. With this programme you create your own movie by adding pictures or/and videos, music, sounds and text. It is a very easy and fun programme to work with and you can create wonderful movies.
How the resource can be used by teachers
Teachers can use this programme to create for example instruction-movies for a task or an activity that the pupils will work with or a movie as inspiration for the pupils when they are going to create their own movies. The teacher does not always has to stand in front of the whiteboard and give instructions out. I think it is great to vary the lessons and make it fun for the pupils by, for example, doing a movie now and then.
How the resource can be used by pupils
Pupils can use this programme to do an information-movie about something they have studied. Instead of always write it down with a pen they can create a movie with pictures and text, it can be like a presentation that they show the class or just the teacher. I think this can be good for the pupils that have difficulties in standing in front of the class and talk or in expressing themselves with their voices. The pupils can also practise on doing a story with a clear stucture. I think it is good to practise on that and to do that in Windows movie maker is a very fun way to practise it. The pupils can choose their own pictures and music and text that fits with the pictures.
How the resource works
In Windows movie maker you create your movie in three simple steps as you can see in the left column in the pictures. Step 1 is to import your pictures, videos and music that you have saved on your computer. Step 2 is to draw the pictures, videos and music to the timeline (at the bottom of the pictures) and move them around until you are pleased with the order. You can also decide what transition you want between the pictures/videos, in what picture your music will be played and for how long and also add text to your movie. Step 3 is to complete the movie by saving it on your computer.
Other thoughts about the resource
I have used this programme and like it very much. When I was on my teacher training practise the pupils used this programme. They liked it and was very good at it. I was surprised how well they did it, they knew exactly what to do and how they wanted their movie to be like. These pupils were 10-11 years old but I think that teachers can introduce this programme when the pupils are about 8-9 years old. Children know more about computers than we think they do and since the movies do not have to be the most perfect onces pupils at the age of 8-9 can work with this programme with a little help from the teacher.
/Angelica Janderå
Hi Angelica!
ReplyDeleteI think you have done a really good job with your blog. It was very informative, which made it easy to understand what Windows movie maker is and how it can be used in the classroom. You also made it clear how it is useful for both students and teachers. I have never worked with it my self but I have worked quite a lot with Photo Story. I think that this is a really good resource to use in order to inspire the students. I also believe, just like you write in your blog, that students might be more motivated to work if the teacher introduces different assignments with a film instead of just talking about it.
We really need to take advantage if theses resources that are available to us, so that we can create an inspiring English education for all our students. I think student would really appreciate working with Windows movie maker when they are doing different kinds of presentations. The class where I have done my teacher practice training has worked a lot with Photo Story and it is obvious they think that it is really fun. They seem really proud when they have a film to show to the rest of the class. I am really impressed over how fast they learn how to use it. Students will also practice working together with others when they are doing their film.
The only negative thing I have noticed is that it can be difficult to work with if the school does not have enough computers. Students then might have to wait quite a long time before it is their turn. However, I think that it is a problem that can be quite easily solved and I can see much more positive things with it than negative things. This is something that I will absolutely use in my future class!
// Tove Åslund