Video Case Analysis

http://www.edutopia.org/php/article.php?id=Art_639&key=005
ENGAGING IN REAL WORLD PROJECTS

This video case occurs in a high school environment where two students are working together to create a video-game storyboard, with writting and visuals. In this high school, the class periods aren't like a typical high school. This project they are involved in is through Microsoft, where they are producing a part of a video game. This is enganging the students in the real world, and a job they could possible have after schooling. The technology used in this class was a computer program that creates animations and video game visuals. This video shows student-centered learning. Here, they have a project manager from Microsoft where they engage in real life situations where they explain what they made and what they need help in. This project introduces and puts all types of classes (english, science, art) all together. There project includes all aspects of student learning in terms of subject areas.

This type of project is very exciting to see and makes me jealous. These two students have created a project for themeselves which they enjoy and is relevent to there every days lives. Having a connection like that makes learning "non-painful" and enjoyable for the students because they are doing something that they want to do and are willing to put in countless hours because they are excited about what they are doing.

This kind of assessment must be very time consuming. The teacher first needs to find someone in the real world who is willing to take time out of there day to work with these students on the projects they have created. It is very fortunate for these two students to have someone to be there project monitor in an industry that they aspire to be apart of. "It's not what you know, its who you know."

To asssess these students you need to sit them down and have them discuss to you what they are doing, why they are doing it, and what is involved with it. I feel the best kind of assessment is verbal assessment where the student is able to project there ideas and knowledge to the teacher without being narrowed down on what they are looking for, like a test.

Using technology in the classroom is a huge advantage. Students are growing up with technology and being able to incorporate that into your curriculum will make your students more interested and able to connect to what you, as a teacher are teaching.

Not all students are great with technology. Therefore, you would first need to teach them the technology which takes time out of teaching the curriculum.