Video Examples

My first example is a modern Canadian Heritage Minute. These minutes were created in the 1990s to educate Canadians about people and events of national historical significance. They were revived in 2012 and are still being made. Students can make them to represent their learning and practice their media arts skills. To tap in to staff's sense of nostalgia, I would first show the video, then ask staff whether they have any specific childhood memories attached to these videos. I personally remember the Pierce Brosnan Grey Owl Heritage Minute quite vividly! 

I chose this particular minute, Jim Egan, because it incorporates a number of media effects that students could reproduce with not too many props or fancy sets. These include: historical re-enactment/drama, use of primary source as a prop, incorporation of an archival photo, and a voice over (in this example, it was voiced by k.d. lang). It also takes a lot of skill to condense a lot of information into one minute, which helps students make choice about what visuals and words to use to maximize their impact.

There are multiple Heritage Minutes on the Historica Canada Youtube channel that could be used to showcase the incorporation additional media arts skills, such as sound tracks, animations, and archival footage.

While creating a Heritage Minute is most applicable to Social Studies, this activity could be interdisciplinary- incorporating media arts and any relevant subject. Students could create minutes for famous authors (English), scientists or innovations (Science), athletes and new sports (PE), artists and performers (Art), etc. This activity encourages students to use their digital skills, media skills, writing skills, and editing skills. These videos are sharable and it would be fun to do a school film festival or post to the Learning Commons' social media channel.

My second example is an obscure video I came across several years ago and saved because I love how Chutian Wang uses an obscure mythological reference (the ouroboros) to explain topology and its application in his research on topological insulators. 

To use this video with staff, I would show them the video and have them list/brainstorm how Wang uses an analogy to describe his scientific research. Additionally, they will list the simple effects used in creating the video. These include: on-camera interview, adding text, incorporating transitions, use of green screen, and adding still images. Additional skills that students would develop in making a video like this: scripting and editing. With support, students could create similar videos to explain research or inquiry projects, for example, to introduce their Grade 12 Capstone Projects, IB Extended Essay, or IB Personal Project. 

References:

"Heritage Minutes: Jim Egan," Historica Canada. Youtube, 15 July 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3e5jC7yZeo&t=1s. Accessed 18 May 2022. 

"Remembrance through making a Heritage Minute," Historica Canada Education Portal. Historica Canada, 2022. http://education.historicacanada.ca/en/tools/258. Accessed 18 May 2022.

Wang, Chutian. "The Ouroboros: the snake that bites itself," Fleet Centre. Youtube, 4 December 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD8-AL4Hefg&list=PLLlqhMP53I2E6oz6628IWTS0osQAAVvS6&index=1. Accessed 18 May 2022.