Viral videos

Some ideas for student choice include brainstorming with students to create desired topics. An organization with best practices called Essential Project Design Element provides steps to fulfilling a project. These steps include: knowledge, skills, understanding, the challenge problem, inquiry, authenticity, student voice, reflection, revision, and the finished product for the public.

To make these projects more interesting, viral videos were introduced to this classroom.  They had focus groups and discussions in class. The three steps to a viral video are: tastemakers, communities of participation, and unexpectedness.  The first step- tastemakers allows for people to create trends and brainstorm ideas.  Communities of participation integrates opportunities to view and comment on videos located on video creation websites. The unexpectedness step encourages students to think outside the box, and bring in humor to their videos. Student choice and learning video based applications are encouraged through trial and error. Students applied iMovie and Moviemaker to their videos and added music or narration.

Viral videos introduce an excellent way to integrate technology to learning. Students can create projects that appeal to them and they can teach others about their topic. Peer teaching strengthens learning in many situations. It will engage students and develop their technological skills.  It is wonderful that students have the opportunities to verbalize their thoughts about videos, as well as create their own video.

                                             Reference

Farber, M. 2016). Student choice and viral videos. Retreived from: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/student-choice-and-viral-videos-matthew-farber