Journal 4: If You Give a Kid a Video Camera

Campbell, L. (2012). If you give a kid a video camera.. Learning and Leading with Technology, 39(5), 30-33.

http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/February-2012.aspx Summary: The journal article, “If you Give a Kid a Video Camera” written by Laurie Campbell is a spin off of the book titled, If you Give a Mouse a Cookie. The overall message is highlighting the effects of providing a child with an innovative device, such as a video camera, to see what else they are able and want to come up with. The article provides several ideas of how educators can use a video camera in the classroom for any subject. Some of the ideas include, student refection’s of an activity, answering questions on video rather than with paper and pencil, creating pen pal letters via video camera, and recording landmarks to assist in making digital maps.

Reflection: I really enjoyed this article because the ideas and possibilities are endless. I work with students who have learning disabilities and I feel providing other avenues or means to express knowledge is critical in the classroom. Many of my students struggle with processing deficits therefore struggle when it comes time to write out answers to questions. I feel utilizing a video camera to help students answer questions can help students feel more successful.

Q1: My question related to this article has to do with social skills. I also work with a large population of autistic students. Is there a way we, as educators, can work with video cameras to practice social skills? I have showed videos that highlight examples and non-examples of appropriate social interaction. I feel that with the use of video cameras, teachers can create extensions to such social skills lessons by having the students create their own skit that highlights how to engage in conversation or other skills related to social skills. Some students may not like to see themselves on camera and that will take some time for students to adjust to the new way of learning but I don’t think that will be a huge problem. One other issue I foresee is getting permission for using a video camera. As a school district, we need parent approval to use a video with the students.
Q2: What other ways can schools use video cameras as 'teaching tools?'  At our school, kids participate in a video club which helps to record and display our daily announcements for the entire school.  This is an amazing way to have kids the initiative and show school pride.  Our school site is spending a tremendous time on anti-bullying and the kids have taken over this initiative by incorporating video cameras.  The students have created an anti-bulling campaign for the whole student body.  The kids are having a competition of who can create the best anti-bullying skit.  The best skit will be shown on our announcements. The kids are loving the opportunity to be on the morning announcements.  I think this is a great idea!