The Value and Challenges of Documenting Learning Through Video

I recently stumbled across a video that I submitted as a summative assessment for my diversity and social change class a couple semesters ago.

When my professor offered the option to do a video submission instead of a reflective essay, I jumped at the opportunity. I take any chance I can get to document my learning using multimedia. For this project I used iMovie.

When offered the chance to do a video submission instead of an essay, one might initially choose video because they perceive it to be easier.

However, I feel like creating video is actually more difficult for 3 reasons.

Note: Filming and editing videos is actually such a fun process and a little practice and playing around goes a long way. I don't want to discourage anyone from trying a video project like this, rather to clarify the challenges that may be encountered and offer a couple solutions.

3 Challenges The obvious first reason reflecting using video may be harder than writing an essay is the technical side, especially if you haven't used a video editor before. If you end up using more than one take and have to do some editing you will need some basic skills to accomplish this.

Secondly, making a video is harder than writing an essay if you try to be creative. The creative process can be demanding and stressful, especially for perfectionists.

Finally, reflecting can be hard in and of itself but reflecting on camera can make people very nervous and self-conscious.

To overcome this third challenge I revert to writing and scripting my parts. So I still end up having to do some writing anyways, but without as much precision and time spent editing as with an essay.

Have you ever tried reading off a script on camera? It is hard to do, it takes away the look of spontaneity and it could make your message come across as weak, boring or insincere. In the end, be mindful that not only do you have to write the script, you have to memorise it a bit. Before filming I read my script through several times and highlight key anchor words that if I hit those and explain them at the very least I know I have delivered the main message.

iMovie This is where editing using iMovie comes in handy as well. You can record in one long take and when you make an error, pause, and redo it. Repeat until you get it right, then after you bring it into iMovie you can cut out the mistakes. Try to keep your head in the same position when you pause, or the frame will jump. Hard to get this perfect so you could use auto transitions or intentionally have each sliced part jump a bit. This is a style choice that will evolve with practice.

While I am rarely comfortable in my own skin in front of the camera, I knew I was up to the other challenges of creating a video reflection. So I scripted out my initial conversation with the camera, had a few questions ready for my guests... and then just went for it.

The value

Going back and viewing my submission back and viewing my submission, months later, I don't regret for a second choosing video over writing.

Diversity and social change has not been at the front of my mind for months, yet after watching this video I was immediately transported back in time and inspired to reactivate my passion for this content. Best of all, I understood my message at a visceral level and inspired myself. Wow! Rereading an old essay has never had the same effect on me.

I am excited to share with you my own example of using video to document my learning on the topic of diversity and social change in leadership.

I have received written consent from the student's parents to show this video on my Blog.

#documentinglearning #socialchange #diversity