In the podcast, “It’s Elementary #15-Video in the Classroom,” Alice Mercer, Mathew Needleman, Jose Rodriguez, Lisa Durff, and Mathew Needleman (all teachers) discuss why it is important to make videos in an elementary classroom.  The podcast began with Alice Mercer asking Mathew Needleman questions about video projects in the classroom.  Video projects are projects where the students work in small groups or as a class to create a video related to what they are learning in class.  One example that was given in the podcast was of a class learning about astronomy.  To help the students learn about the planets, the class was divided into groups and they had to make a commercial advertising a planet, such as Jupiter. 

The first question asked by Mercer was, “Why should elementary teachers bother to use video?”  Needleman’s response was that students are dropping out of school.  By engaging students in enjoyable projects, like the video project, in elementary school, they are more likely to remember the positive experiences of school.  If they remember these experiences they will decrease their chances of dropping out of school later on.  Also, it gives the students and opportunity to work on their reading and writing skills in a fun way.

The second question was, “Where should we (first year teachers) start?”  Needleman’s response was to do one video project a year.  Also, do a format that is familiar, such as a commercial. 

The third question was, “Why is it so important to have instructional objectives?”  Needleman’s exact response was, “to cover your butt!”  Many teachers try this project but do not relate it to what they are teaching.  This can get a teacher in trouble.  Also, an instructional objective gives a person an idea of what skills this project is going to work on.

The fourth question was, “what do you do with a Mac Computer?”  Needleman discussed the program that he used called “I-Movie.”  Mercer then explained that she uses two programs, Photo Story and Movie Maker, on her PC computer.

The rest of the podcast was just troubleshooting questions, such as audio, video cameras, and still images.  No new information, in my opnion, was discussed.  This podcast more or less explained why it is important to use video projects in elementary school.

To listen to this Podcast click here.