Language+Arts

> > ===**Students will help increase literacy by sharing multimedia book reviews.**===
 * ====Technology:====
 * ====Kodak Playsport digital camera.====
 * ====A computer with some type of video editing software.====
 * ====An intranet site dedicated to uploading video clips for in-school viewing.====
 * ====Curriculum Standard: Ohio Academic Content Standards (Grade 5)====
 * ====Communication: Oral And Visual Standard - Use effective presentation techniques, including voice modulation and enunciation.====
 * ====Literary Text Standard - Identify the elements of plot and establish a connection between an element and a future event.====
 * ====Technology For Productivity Applications: Create a presentation using multimedia software that incorporates graphics, video and sound.====


 * ====Description:====
 * ====Fifth grade students will create one minute book reviews about books that they have previously read. Once the review is created, they will have a classmate film their review using a digital camera. The students will then transfer the video to a computer with video editing software, make any necessary adjustments, and then export the file as an Mp4. Lastly, the students will upload the file to the class intranet site so other students will be able to watch their reviews.====
 * ====Supporting Research:====
 * ====__Defining Book Reviews For The Digital Age__: Details the results of a pilot study that was carried out over a six moth period where students produced video book reviews and uploaded them to a secure site in order for other students to view them.====
 * ====__English Language Arts In A Changing World__: Supports the idea that students need to be able to use real-world skills in order to publish their ideas using different types of media.====
 * ====__Hooking Students On Reading__: Explains a project in which students create video book reviews with the goal of students gaining listening and public speaking skills which will provide the groundwork for future career responsibilties.====
 * ====__Telling Stories With Video__: Encourages the use of 21st Century skills in the language arts classroom by having students take some of the focus of the printed text and use video to convey their ideas. The belief is that new technologies will inspire students, who are otherwise uninterested in normal language arts activities.====
 * ====Tried and True or New & Innovative:====
 * ====This type of activity has been used for a long time in order for students to demonstrate that they have read and understand a book. Students are also asked to share about their reading with their peers in order to discuss good reading strategies and recommend texts that might be of interest to other students that share the same likes and dislikes. The element of this project that is new and innovative is the idea of taking these reviews and put this in a youtube format that students are familiar with. This type of format is being used to engage the student in the process of creating the review as well as enticing them to view the review of others. Ultimately, the goal of the project is to use familiar technology to increase students' literacy.====

References:
Butler, D., Leahy, M., & McCormack, C. (2010). Redefining Book Reviews For The Digital Age. Retrieved February 20, 2011, from Contemporary Issues In TechnologyAnd English Language Arts Teacher Education website: http://www.citejournal.org

English Language Arts In A Changing World. (2010, January 14). Retrieved February 24, 2011, from http://asiasociety.org/‌education-learning

Stoughton, K. (n.d.). Hooking Students On Reading - Video Book Reviews. Retrieved February 25, 2011, from http://empoweringlearners.com

Young, C., & Kajder, S. (2009, June 1). Telling Stories With Video. Retrieved February 26, 2011, from Highbeam Business website: http://business.highbeam.com