Video Essay
Instead of writing an essay discussing the findings of their research, a video essay offers the opportunity to visualize the students’ arguments in a creative and playful way. Students present their research by using (moving) images to explain concepts or to illustrate examples, enhancing the argumentative structure of their presentation. A video essay is maximum 8 minutes long and can be made individually or in duos. Also, groups of four could work when provided with a clear division of labor. Depending on the topic, you can encourage your student to use humor.
Optionally: you can let the students write an essay as an addition to the video essay.
On-campus
The activity takes up a whole tutorial session, excluding preparation and guidance in editing, and could be done with a maximum of 30 students.
This is a blended learning activity. Students create their videos at home and will be discussed on campus. Watching of and giving feedback on other videos can be done at home as well but can be done on campus as well.
Manual
Supplies needed:
- Instructions on the subject of the video essay
- Pitch2Peer
- Optionally: price/award
- Optionally: Wooclap
Set-up classroom
As the students will watch the videos together, a classic lecture set-up with rows of tables should be sufficiënt.
Step 1. (Preparation)
Divide the students in groups and provide instructions about the requirements of the video essay. It is recommended to show an example of a video essay. A maximum of five groups is suggested due to the design of the activity.
Step 2. (Preparation)
Students make the video essay in their own time and upload the video on Pitch2Peer. By doing this, you implement blended learning.
Step 3. (Preparation)
In the previously created groups, students watch each other’s videos and write down their feedback using Pitch2Peer. This can be done either at home or on campus.
Step 4. (During class)
Students discuss the feedback on the videos within their own group. Every group picks one video they discussed to screen for the whole class. This way, the whole class watch around 5 videos together, 1 they have already seen and 4 they haven’t.
Step 5. (During class)
The videos picked by the groups are screened and discussed by the whole class.
Step 6. (During class)
After all videos are shown, students vote for their favourite. You can also use a votingtool like Wooclap. The video with the most votes wins a prize.
Optionally: the teacher chooses a favourite video essay as well.
Step 7. (Evaluation)
Discuss the video essays globally and gather some key points to provide to the whole class.
Source
Van Vught, J., Video essays met Peerfeedback. Educate-it Faculteit Sociale Wetenschappen. Retrieved from: https://fsw.educate-it.uu.nl/inspiratieproject/video-essays-peerfeedback/
Online
The activity takes up a whole tutorial session, excluding preparation and guidance in editing, and could be done with maximum of 30 students.
This is a blended learning activity. Students create their videos at home and will be discussed on campus. Watching of and giving feedback on other videos can be done at home as well but can be done on campus as well.
Manual
Supplies needed:
- Instructions on the subject of the video essay
- Pitch2Peer
- Optionally: price/award
- Optionally: Wooclap
Set-up classroom
Create a Teams in Microsoft Teams to use. When discussing the videos in smaller groups, you could create different channels or use the break-out room option.
Optionally: Using a Virtual Classroom could be suggested, due to its elaborate technical options.
Step 1. (Preparation)
Divide the students in groups and provide instructions about the requirements of the video essay. It is recommended to show an example of a video essay.
Step 2. (Preparation)
Students make the video essay in their own time and upload the video on Pitch2Peer. By doing this, you implement blended learning.
Step 3. (Preparation)
In the previously created groups, students watch each other videos and write down their feedback. This can be done either at home or on campus.
Step 4. (During class)
Students come to class online. In breakout rooms, students discuss the feedback on the videos within their own group and pick one video to screen for the whole class.
Step 5. (During class)
The videos picked by the groups are screened and discussed by the whole class.
Step 6. (During class)
After all videos are shown, students vote for their favourite by raising their hand in Microsoft Teams. You can also use a voting tool like Wooclap. The video with the most votes wins a prize.
Optionally: the teacher chooses a favourite video essay as well.
Disclaimer: Due to technical limitations it is suggested to not show the video by sharing your screen. Let students watch them on their own devices by sharing the file in the general channel.
Step 7. (Evaluation)
Discuss the video essays globally and gather some key points to provide to the whole class.
Source
Van Vught, J., Video essays met Peerfeedback. Educate-it Faculteit Sociale Wetenschappen. Retrieved from: https://fsw.educate-it.uu.nl/inspiratieproject/video-essays-peerfeedback/
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