New Student-Made, BrainPOP-Inspired Videos
We’re so excited! Through some BrainPOP Educators networking and inspiration, we’ve got another school that took on creating their own movies, thanks to the creative and talented collaboration between Erin Waggoner, a District Technology Integration Specialist, and teacher, PJ Burns, from Jessamine County Schools in Nicholasville, Kentucky. Erin was kind enough to be a guest blogger and share the process. Read on!
Not to be too “A-Team” about things, but I love it when a plan comes together! As a former classroom teacher and computer lab teacher, I understood the importance of Brain Pop and tried to utilize it a much as possible with my students. However, when I saw Robert Miller’s Brain Pop-esque videos last spring, I knew that I was ready for the next step and I just had to implement this idea in my classroom in the fall.
When I was offered and accepted a position with our District Technology Office, I was unsure that I would be able to see this project to its completion. However, I quickly realized that while I wouldn’t be able to do this project with “my” class, I could teach every teacher to do it with their classes. But first I needed a guinea pig!
I quickly showed the videos to PJ Burns, a teacher at my former school. Having been a student teacher in this room, I knew PJ liked to stay on top of new ideas that would lead to increased excitement in her class, as well as increased success of her students. Plus, PJ was a huge BrainPOP fan as well! She was super excited about having her kids do these videos, and so, after the students had done their research, I carved out an hour per day for a week to come out and work with a small group of students in her class.
As far as the technical aspect of the videos, it was very simple. We are an Apple and a PC district, so I had access to a MacBook with Photo Booth (ver 2.0.3) and Screen Capture (a podcasting software that utilizes the built in microphone on the MacBook, but the video captured is what is on the computer screen itself). To create the backgrounds, the students either drew them by hand (and I scanned them in), or we used Kid Pix software. When they just wanted to have the picture and their voice, I simply opened the drawing and started the Screen Capture software. For the parts where they (and Moby!) were on screen, I just imported the background file into Photo Booth, which advises you to “Please step out of the frame,” creating a basic “green screen” environment. All that was left was some quick editing in iMovie (during which I quickly learned that I like to talk… a lot!) and Voila! Basic BrainPOP movies in the comfort of your own school!
There are already two other teachers at this school that are planning to create their own videos, and I have at least three other schools interested in me coming out and showing them how to do this. I can’t wait to see what they come up with, and how excited the kids will be!
Robert Miller said on October 4, 2009
Erin- So cool to see young students showcasing learning in front of the camera (LOVE the muffled beeps)! I hope other teachers will see how easy it is to create such a meaningful product that reflects not only the science content, but also fosters collaboration and the writing process… Student movies are such a motivating project to showcase learning- and what a great keepsake to share with families.
I do want to share with you this unexpected effect in my Florida classroom after our initial emails: My students were AMAZED that their work had inspired younger students in Kentucky. When their movies were first posted on BrainPOP Educators, I think they thought that was it… something to brag about to their peers. But now that they have seen the potential collaborative nature of sites like BrainPOP Educators, it has really left an impression! Posting on blogs, wikis, or websites gives teachers and their students the opportunity to share beyond the bulletin board in the hallway… a worldwide real audience.
My students and I look forward to future movies from your schools, and you have inspired us to share more!
Robin Daniel said on October 9, 2009
What a fascinating way to REALLY involve students in something they will enjoy producing, sharing, and keeping for future memories! THANKS for the simple, inspiring explanation!