EPA 558: Digital Video in the Mac Classroom: Using iMovie

Syllabus – Summer 2005

 

Course Instructor

Janet McKenney

                        Professional Development Center

                        University of Southern Maine

                        jmckenney@usm.maine.edu

                        Cell Phone:  653-1891

 

Course description

This course is a hands-on exploration of integrating digital movies into the K-12 classroom. 

Using digital still and video cameras, teachers will learn the basics of creating digital videos using Appleís iMovie digital video editing software.

The course will cover the process of creating a video project from pre-production, through filming and then to final editing.

Teachers will produce a teacher movie project.

Coursework will include:

1.     how digital video can enhance both teaching and learning.

2.     how digital video can give students a new way to research, collaborate, communicate, express their ideas, and share what theyíve learned.

3.     how teachers can use digital video as a teaching tool

 

Readings:

iMovie in Teacher Education

http://edweb.sdsu.edu/sciencetg/ie/

Read and send me an email response of 4-5 paragraphs

    Meaningful Digital Video for Every Classroom

http://www.techlearning.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=18700330

Read and send me an email response of 1-2 paragraphs

Digital Storytelling Finds Its Place in the Classroom      http://www.infotoday.com/MMSchools/jan02/banaszewski.htm

    Read and send me an email response of 2-3 paragraphs

 

Recommended Texts  

iMovie HD and iDVD 5 for Mac OS X : Visual QuickStart Guide

by Jeff Carlson 

Peachpit Press  (May 23, 2005)

ISBN: 0321335422

Retail: $19.99   Amazon: $13.59

 

The Macintosh iLife '05: An Interactive Guide to iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, and GarageBand

By Jim Heid

Peachpit Press  (April, 2005)

ISBN: 0321335376

Retail: $34.99   Amazon: $23.09

 

 

Shooting Awesome Video (CD) $24.95

http://www.dvcreators.net/products/sav.html

 

Atomic Learning

Subscription: $79.99

 

 

Course Outline – Day by Day

 

Day 1:

Introductions

Logging in; saving movies; iMovie folder

Overview of how iMovie is being used in the classroom

iMovie Samples

An Immigrantís Journey

http://www.apple.com/education/ilifeawards/project_immigrantsjourney.html

Monarch Butterfly

http://www.mesquiteisd.org/imovie/monarchbutterfly.htm

Grass Born to Be Stepped On: Womenís Rights in China

http://www.apple.com/education/ilifeawards/project_grassborn.html

Chasing Metaphors

http://www.apple.com/education/ilifeawards/project_chasingmetaphors.html

 

iMovie Resource page     http://www.usm.maine.edu/~jmckenney/imovie/imovieresources.html

 

Equipment Overview

1.     video cameras

2.     still cameras

3.     tripods

4.     microphones

5.     firewire drives

 

Digital Cameras (Still and Video)

  1. USB and Firewire, IEEE-1394, DV in/out (video) – update drivers for firewire
  2. Choosing a digital video camera     http://www.camcorderinfo.com/

 

Lunch

 

Creating a Digital Introduction

Camera Practice Time and filming

Attaching cameras to computers

Importing Video

Importing still pictures   (640 X 480 pixels)

Project Discussion; project storyboards

 

 Day 2:

 iMovie Software overview

  1. Monitor
  2. Shelf
  3. Timeline Viewer
  4. Clip Viewer
  5. Panel Buttons
  6. Trash

 

Break

 

Editing Video

  1. Titles and Transitions
  2. Effects
  3. Audio/Voice/Music    http://www.freeplaymusic.com/
  4. Splitting clips
  5. Extracting audio

 

Project description and storyboards

 

 

Day 3:

The ìSHOOTî

Filming day.

Individual consultation and questions and answers

Discuss readings; discuss project work/problems/length of movies

Interviewing and microphones

 

  

Day 4:

 Putting it all together

Working with iMovie to create your video project

Guest talks

Discussion about QuickTime and video compression; movie file sizes

Videocassette and TV/VCR – moving iMovies to camera and then to VCR

 

  

Day 5:

 Finish moving iMovies to camera and then to VCR

iMovie Film Festival - Presenting and discussing your iMovies

 

 

Assignments/Basis for Final Grade

Class participation                                                       10%

Completed daily work                                                 15%

Readings                                                                     15%  

Project description                                                       10%

Final project(s)                                                            40%

Videocassette transfer                                                 10%

 

 

Project Requirements

The iMovie project is worth 40% of your grade.

Your iMovie Project should be between 1-5 minutes.

Your final project should include:

1.     Transitions and Titles

2.     Music and/or narration

3.     Still or motion video

4.     Credits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructorís policies and procedures for student attendance and completed work

Students are expected to attend all classes

Final movie project is due on the last day of class.

 

 

Evaluation of the course and instructor

1.     Standard USM form will be used at the end of the course

 

Academic Support

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please contact the instructor as soon as possible.  Also make an appointment with the office of academic support for students with disabilities.  At any point in the semester, if you encounter difficulty with the course or feel you could be performing at a higher level, please consult with one of the instructors. Students experience difficulty for a variety of reasons. For problems with writing skills and time management, make an appointment to see a student tutor at The Learning Center (TLC), 252

Luther Bonney (780-4228). Help is also available through the Counseling Center, 105 Payson Smith (780-4050), and the Office of Academic Support for Students with Disabilities,  237 Luther Bonney (780-4706).

 

 

In-service Graduate Credit

In-service graduate credit courses  (a) are developed collaboratively by the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), Professional Development Center (PDC), and school systems, singly by school systems, or singly by CEHD/PDC; (b) address staff development needs of school systems, teachers and administrators; (c) comply with USM CEHD graduate course standards for intellectual inquiry and credentials of instructors;  (d) comply with USM CEHD graduate course requirements for number of instructional contact hours, grading policies, and evaluation procedures; and (e) carry academic credit at the graduate level.

 

In-service graduate credit courses are not automatically transferable as electives to graduate degree programs of the CEHD of the University of Southern Maine.  Approval for course acceptance is a two-step process: (1) review the syllabus and recommendation by the studentís faculty advisor;

(2) approval of the course by the appropriate USM CEHD program.

 

Please note if a student wishes to include a PDC course in his/ her program of study, prior approval is necessary for students currently matriculated in USM CEHD graduate programs.  For clarification on this matter, please contact the USM Professional Development Center.