New Media Awards 2008 - Films for Learning

Films for Learning

1 nomination
3 comments
17 April 2008
Rating

http://www.filmsforlearning.org

Nominated in Community activism category.

Films for Learning is a new initiative which has involved the Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester working with Toolkit, a creative learning consultancy and NESTA, to develop a learning model for students and teachers. Over twenty secondary, middle and first schools have participated. Students have made films about areas of Science and Technology which teachers find difficult, tricky or dangerous to explain. The project has subsequently expanded to include more areas of the curriculum (e.g. Geography, Theology and Ethics) as well as teacher produced work. The films are disseminated through a website enabling students and teachers to share films

1 nomination from readers

Films for Learning is young people using their creativity to steer their own learning.
Students and Teachers are using Films for Learning in a genuine collaboration that brings a freshness of vision to a subject that has the potential to hook students into learning from making and watching films.

These films contribute actively to the students’ own learning, both about film making and the use of digital media in general, but also about the curriculum subjects contained in the film. It is through their involvement in such projects that young people become more engaged in their school learning, use their natural creativity, and develop the intellectual, social and practical skills that are in demand in 21st century workplaces.

Launched in January 2008, the enhanced web-site means that the site is available to anyone, anywhere there is internet access. Because of this the goal of allowing schools from opposite sides of the world to post and share content, to improve pupils understanding is already becoming a reality. Films for Learning is an excellent example of how vision and aspiration can help make learning fun, as well as helping change the way we should think about education.

The scheme is the brainchild of Mark Richardson and Peter Roe – members of staff at the Thomas Hardye School, Dorset – and was developed as a means of helping children in the bottom 20 per cent of the class to improve their retention of knowledge and information. They have spent nearly three years bringing it to the level it has now achieved. A vote for Films for Learning is a vote for their efforts.

Nominated by Richard Wheal, 14 April 2008

3 comments from readers

As a student I think this is a brilliant and dynamic way of learning. You get to learn about the subject in a fun way. Much better than just sitting in the classroom listening to the teacher!

Submitted by Daniel, 18 April 2008
Films for Learning are continuing to provide exciting digital learning opportunities to all students, but particularly for the hard to engage.Excellent!

Submitted by David Powell, 06 May 2008
Films for Learning gives a tangible and unique way for teachers and students to interact around technology during the film making process.

Submitted by Ginger Hernandez, 14 May 2008

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