In this assignment we were given the address to a Wikispace that described many types of multimedia projects using cellphones. We were asked to select one, contact the teacher, and ask them some questions to help explain the process of the project. I chose to email Margaret Meijers, a classroom teacher and Manager of ICT Learning at Taroona High School, a government school for students in grades 7 - 10 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. In 2011 Margaret is teaching Computing and Graphic Design to students in grades 9 & 10.
Margaret's website is http://ictmindtools.net/mobileanimations/
Margaret's students created animations for their mobile phones using the free program PIVOT. Her website outlines how to create the animations in 5 easy steps. I think this would be hugely popular with students of all ages as they are enthralled with their cellphones to begin with. The ability to create and share your own personal animation would seem to promote not only student engagement but also student motivation. I can see this project being applicable to ANY subject area as the topic to be animated is up to the designer. Check out the website for some groovy student examples.
I asked Margaret a series of questions pertaining to the project. What elements of Graphic Design do you focus on for the animation project? " I don’t focus on any formal aspects of Graphic Design in this project, apart from helping the students understand about how the screen size of a mobile device affects the size of text and level of detail that can be included. And even in this case, I tend to let the students discover this for themselves by trial and error." Without discussing this with Margaret any further, I can infer from her response that she allows her students a degree of latitude in the design and creation process. This guiding approach allows students the the ability to make mistakes and learn from this trial and error process. This artistic approach to problem solving can increase self-confidence as students can take bits of success from the mistakes they make.
I know you teach HS students, would you have any suggestions for a similar project with 5th grade students? Her advice here is that she has been successful implementing the project from grades 4-10. She thinks that 5th graders are an appropriate choice for the project's positive stress.
What is your school policy regarding cell phones in school? "Our school runs a BYOD (bring your own device) program, and mobile phones are just another part of this. They are allowed to be used for learning in the classroom. It is up to individual teachers in our school as to how they manage phones in their classes. A few teachers do not allow them at all (so they must stay out of sight and on silent) ranging through to teachers like me who allow students to use their phones in ‘an adult’ way. i.e.: I say to them that if their phone rings and they take a call in my class, it had better be more important than my lesson! For example if a student had a parent having surgery, I would allow them to take a call from home. Just as I would if one of my family was in hospital." This kind of policy fascinates me. I would think that this would not work everywhere here in the U.S. Students already feel a sense of entitlement in a lot of cases, how could one teacher allow it and another one ban it. That just creates animosity and opportunities for conflict. I am a big believer in whole school policies, especially in our highly litigious society.
Do you require or desire any parental feedback or involvement in the process or product? " We encourage students to show their animations to friends and family. This is one of the most positive aspects of it. If a student did not have the animation on a mobile device, often the family would never see it." I am responding to Margaret's email to suggest posting the animation on a Web 2.0 site such as Animoto or Glogster and invite feedback from friends, family and perhaps cell phone application designers. Maybe this could become a requirement for students and I know they would love the feedback, as suggested by previous experience, to improve or tweak their work.
What challenges did you face when designing or working through the project with your students? "The biggest challenges I found was the wide range of devices, screen sizes, managing bluetooth etc and converting file formats. However once we had been through the process once, we all became quite good at it. So really just initial teething problems, all of which I felt were positive and added to the learning experience for the kids." In this way, Margaret's project is similar to the use of a NEW Web 2.0 tool. There is an initial learning curve and feeling out process that includes some glitches and headaches. Once the tool is familiar, students tend to use them for all sorts of applications as the tools become part of their digital toolbox in a sense.
As an educator, what I took away from this experience is that GLOBAL communication and collaboration are more attainable than ever. As long as you have willing participants with mutual educational goals, anything is possible. Margaret was kind enough to return my email request within one day. I am sure she is extremely busy and has many commitments. The fact that she was willing to take time to share for the benefit of another, to me, defines Global Citizenship. Cheers Margaret and Thanks!
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