As one of the master technology teachers in the district, I am always thrilled when teachers are looking to leverage digital media to enhance or transform a lesson. Recently, I had the pleasure of collaborating with Mr. Steven Cohn and Mrs. Kim Leegan on the development of a 9th grade Humanities project called “Walk in My Shoes.” The project is inspired by advice given by Atticus Finch to his daughter Scout in the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird. Atticus explains to Scout that "you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it" (Lee 36). Using this advice as a starting point, students were challenged to answer the following essential questions: Why does "walking in someone's shoes" allow us to feel empathy and how can empathizing with others promote positive change? Students were to answer the questions by creating a 2 minute short film which was shot using iPads and edited using Internet software tools. Students then presented the films at the First Annual Cohn Film Festival, replete with a red carpet, popcorn, and live interviews. Student groups had to prepare an oral presentation, in which they broke down the film. Specifically, students had to prepare and present a treatment of the film and an explanation of the film's title. Students also discussed their two most successful editing techniques and shared what they believed to be the answer to the essential questions. In the end, students were fully engaged and learning was taking place. Congrats to both the students and their teachers on a job well done! Watch the video below
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AuthorAdam Pizzi an Instructional Technologist for the Westfield Public School System (NJ). He serves both Westfield High School and the two middle schools. Prior to his role in educational technology, Adam was a social studies teacher for 9 years. He has a masters degree in Instructional Media from Wilkes University & Discovery Education and is a Google Certified Educator. He believes that today's students need and deserve to take their learning beyond the content and into the 21st century. Archives
June 2015
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