Project Documentation

Introductory Module for the Course Prototype

Film 8 Middle School Students

      by Evelyn Welsh

Film 8 Course Overview:

After this course you should be able to:

* Implement appropriate camera angles and techniques into your film work and final project

* Demonstrate an ability to write in screenplay format

*Utilize directing techniques to visually, emotionally progress the story

* Analyze and critique films for directing, camera and acting techniques

During this course you will create:

* An independent short script in proper screen format

* Work collaboratively in groups to demonstrate the above techniques in both daily activity and final project

Themes and inspiration behind this design come from the article link below, discussing best practices for Project Based Learning or PBL. Keeping in mind these principles I hope to include these elements into my design, especially the idea of providing more student choice in assignments and their ability to come up with project ideas I wouldn’t have thought of.

• Key knowledge, understanding, and success skills
• Challenging problem or question
• Sustained inquiry
• Authenticity
• Student voice and choice
• Reflection
• Critique and revision
• Public products
• Inspirations from Project Based Learning Article http://www.edutopia.org/blog/student-choice-and-viral-videos-matthew-farber

Assessment Methods:

I would be using discussion forums throughout this project as a means of formative assessment. In reality, I would prefer to be using Google Classroom forums as our school is already set up for this, and each student already has a google email address tied to our Middle School. For this project, I have already started a couple of discussion threads. The aim of the discussion threads is for the students to journal their experiences and ideas, after trying out one of the scene tasks, or movie analysis. Eliademy offers quizzes and grading within the platform, however, I want to keep the assessment for this elective strictly formative as it helps foster creativity and ideas. Embedding formative quizzes via YouTube will provide more fun and interactivity for the students.

My target audience would be around twenty five to thirty grade 8 middle school students. The course and modules are designed in a way to give the students a taste of each of the film production elements. Using the rising action plot diagram as a clear symbol throughout the course. This module is specifically designed for the Middle School grades 6-8. Keeping the modules straightforward and centralized around storytelling ie. beginning, middle and end. Each module is designed to lead into the final project, which will be a mock “Night at the Oscars” so the students will have an opportunity to present their films publically. Learning to tell stories, write and create films that show a unique and thoughtful journey will be the overall goal for this introductory course. Assignments like the silent “Awkward Moment,” and Stop Motion, allow the students to focus on telling the story visually rather than verbally.

Using external tools such as the social media platforms will most likely pose restrictions as my school is a BC Public School. I have not fully explored the premium settings options, as I am currently awaiting an academic license to fully explore Eliademy’s capabilities. I do suspect that because our school is already u

sing google classroom that other LMS platforms may not be a realistic choice for my particular circumstance. Creating a class twitter account, or class Facebook account could be easy ways to include some of the sharing capabilities that Eliademy has to offer.

Time Line

Timeline

Core Readings