Reel Works: Reading and Discussion #2

Social Issues

The Lie Called Freedom

First I have to start out by stating that I watched several Reel Works videos from the website and I am astounded by the insight of the teenagers who created the films.  The sheer depth and breadth of films such as ACES - The Lie Called Freedom, or Mott Hall Bridges Academy - Brownesville is… is not something I think many adults would believe was created by teenage minds.  I think often we forget they have a voice on important issues such as illegal immigration or gang violence but after watching the videos - it is pretty obvious that they do.  I think projects like Reel Works creates an outlet that allows teenagers to develop their thoughts in a creative way.  A way that allows them to not only voice there thoughts but put energy into their ideas in a way that they can stand back and be proud of their work.  It is obvious after watching a few videos that the creators of the films put some thought into them.  

Goals for Girls Experience Reel Works & Intrepid

Real-World Applications

Reel Works has also figured out how to take video making from the classroom into "real world" applications as is such in the HBO 8 week course in documentary making and the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) camp for girls, which mixes STEM based careers with videography.  As with any learning experience "learning by doing" is considered one of the most effective ways to teach in the 21st century.  Authentic learning has become the preferred way for students to learn and teachers have noticed a propensity towards student motivation in learning when given a real-world problem.  Reel Works is targeting authentic learning by having students look at social issues in their own culture.  The best part is that Reel Works has students questioning what they see.  This was very evident in the Mott Hall Bridges Academy video - Brownesville is…  where students question the senseless teenage violence in their own neighborhood.  A neighborhood where they have grown to love the $1 pizza, socializing of diverse people, and cheap books for a sale along the road (Lombardi, 2007).

An additional component I really like that adds to the Authentic Learning process is that Reel Works prompts students to do work as a collaborative effort.  They rely on each other's experience and input to create a unique video regarding social issues in today's world.  This is an awesome way for teenagers to express themselves, work together, and integrate technology at the same time.  

Increasing Media & Technology Awareness

Of course, one of the largest benefits to digital storytelling is the fact that there is enough open resource software available to create high quality videos with basic knowledge.  It is a stepping stone to technology immersion but the software is very intuitive for beginners.  This allows the user to be creative and express themselves without the stress of overly complicated equipment.  Educause feels that the downside of digital storytelling is that students are forced to think outside of the box to create an original work.  I feel this is the essence or beauty of digital storytelling.  The student may feel they are outside their comfort zone but I think the final product is something the student can be proud of and the more they do step out of their comfort zone, the more they will feel comfort in a challenge.  Especially a technology rich challenge.     

Citations

DeCarolis, J. (2014). Reel works in schools. Retrieved from http://reelworks.org/programs/school-programming/

Educause. (2007, Jan). 7things you should know about.. digital storytelling. Retrieved from http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7021.pdf

Lombardi, M. M. (2007, May). Authentic learning for the 21st century: An overview. Retrieved from http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI3009.pdf