Stacia Linz

SLM 521

Elective: Educational Video

Using Educational Video

EDUCATIONAL VIDEO

Below is an annotated list of websites with video resources that you could use to enhance your teaching of a mini-unit on Choice and Human Nature in Literature --Free Will, Determinism, and Choice, and a quick drop-in activity for students, which uses these resources.

NutIntuit—Nut Intuit is a creative studio which makes short animated films (called “Nutshells) which illustrate simple some difficult concepts. I found this fantastic Nutshell illuminating how to read and analyze poetry using Robert Frost’s The Road Less Taken , which is a fantastic poem depicting human Choice. Date visited—11-16-09.

http://www.nutintuit.com

NOVA teachers video online –part of PBS.org, this resource allows you watch complete video programs (1-3 hours, and you may watch in chapters), in a variety of scientific subjects, like Anthropology, Social Studies and Technology. The recent movie Darwin's Darkest Hour, depicting the scientist and author’s struggle over publishing The Origin of Species, works via the notion of Evolution (nature vs. nurture) , as well as personal conflict, to illustrate issues of Choice. Date visited—11-13-09. www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/teachers/video.html

Teacher Tube-- With Teacher Tube, you have access to and can search all forms of media—including video, audio photos, and blogs. There are some ads, which you see in the banner and search results, as well as ads you must watch at the beginning of your video selection (but you can register and opt out of these). I found this little video ,which is basically a simple Powerpoint summary of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, which, with its discussion of predictions and Fate, would be a perfect accompaniment to any discussion of Choice. Date visited—11-14-09.

http://www.teachertube.com

Brain Pop

Brain Pop—Brain Pop is a site full of animations for kids, broken down by content area and grade level. This is by far the site with the most student-appeal (animations, colorful, fun schematic). This animation which synopsizes the novel The Lord of the Flies, introduces a novel which explores well the concept of Human Nature (and Choice). Date visited—11-14-09.

http://www.brainpop.com

Pod-O-Matic—Pod-O-Matic is a collection of Podcasts (you can create, find and share Podcasts from this site). This podcast This podcast on Mindfulness and Choices, gives the psychological perspective and mental underpinnings of Choice-making. Date visited—11-14-09. http://www.podomatic.com

Drop-In Exercise for Students:

Please visit the resources mentioned above:

this fantastic Nutshell (Robert Frost, Free Will)

Darwin's Darkest Hour (Evolution, Nature)--you do not have to watch the entire film

this little video (Macbeth, Fate)

This animation (Lord of the Flies, Savage Human Nature)

This podcast (Mysticism, Psychology, Mindfulness)

These videos are simply quick stops on the road of themes we have been exploring this entire year, and some of what we have read. They are meant to be both a quick, fun refresher, and a flicker of recognition/catalyst—perhaps inspiring you to think more deeply about these concepts.

They represent vastly different, but connected viewpoints on human beings and their ability to make choices. Think about which of these perspectives you agree with and resounds with you. Please select any of the above perspectives on Choice, as portrayed by any of the characters from these pieces of literature (or from the perspective of Darwin, or a psychologist or mystic). Consider a difficult choice you have had to make, are making, or know you will be making soon. I want you to do an entry in your Writer’s Log where you address and “solve” your problem and make a choice, but from the perspective of the character and line of thinking you have chosen. For example, “My college selection, by Macbeth” or “I want to live with my Dad, by Piggy.”

I would like to see at least two pages, and be prepared to discuss this in your Writer’s group!