Video Planning

Lisa QuraishCIMT 543Spring 2012 Dr. Ziaeehezarjeribi

Audio & Video

“This week you will be creating an audio and a video to support the ASSURE lesson plan.”

Introduction

Smaldino, Lowther, and Russell (2012) believe that “video is suitable in all instructional

environments and works with whole classes, small groups, and individual students” (p. 234).

One way video can be used to enhance learning in the classroom, is by teaching a specific

process (Smaldino, et al., 2012, p. 242). I have chosen to create a video that teaches students the

process involved in access of and navigation through a WebQuest. This instructional video

should prepare students to comfortably begin the actual assignment within the WebQuest without

worrying about where they should look first, or when/if they should click on a certain page.

An important component of videos used for classroom instruction, is that they contain

short, yet complete, segments (Smaldino, et al., 2012, p. 244). The video I have created is only 3

minutes long, but it adequately shares all of the information necessary for students to learn the

process of navigating through a WebQuest. A longer video on the same topic would bore

students and give too much information, possibly leading to lower retention.

Videography, which is the creation of video, requires preproduction planning, recording,

and editing (Smaldino, et al., 2012, p. 244). To plan, I first summarized my audience and the

objectives of the video. I then created a script detailing types of shots/graphics to be used,

transitions, audio (music), and narration. The final part of my planning was a storyboard that

echoed the script, although in a more visual manner that is helpful at quick glance. To record I

used a Sony Handycam, and to record the computer screen and edit my video I used Camtasia

studio, making it fit for use in the classroom.

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Video Planning Document

Title of the Video Writing a Letter in Block FormatTarget Learners The target learners are 22 fifth grade students at a rural elementary

school. The class consists of 12 girls and 10 boys. A number of

students qualify for free and reduced lunch, and three students are

identified as having learning disabilities. An aide from the special

education room comes in at least once a day to help the learning

disabled students, and they can leave the room for additional help as

needed. Technology has proven to be beneficial for engaging

students in content. Students have demonstrated an appreciation for

using technology in learning and assessments.

Subject Area Social Studies: The Great Depression

English: Writing and Formatting a Formal LetterLearning Objectives Given Microsoft Word software, the learner will compose a letter in

block format and score 13/15 or higher on the teacher created “Letters to

Lady Obama” rubric.

The learner will demonstrate a general understanding of the Great

Depression by playing the teacher created PowerPoint version of

“Jeopardy: Great Depression Edition” scoring 5000/6000 or higher when

completing the game individually.

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Script Video NarrationTitle of Video, music, fade out NoneClose-up shot of presenter Hello, students! You’ve now come to the “Learn” step of your

WebQuest assignment. You need to learn how to write and format a letter so that it

Graphic displaying text a) appears uniform and professional and b) successfully conveys your request.

Long-shot showing presenter and computer with Microsoft Word open

You are going to write a letter to the First Lady Michelle Obama, just as students your age wrote to Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt over 70 years ago. You should have already read many of their letters as part of your research.

Zoom in on presenter The format you will use to write your letter is commonly called “block” or “business letter” format.

Recorded PowerPoint slide of Five Essential Elements

You must always remember the Five Essential elements of a letter written in block format. The five elements are heading, inside address, salutation, body, and signature.

Transition to long shot of presenter

There are also a number of important formatting considerations.

Recorded PowerPoint slide displaying a bulleted list of format considerations

All text is to be aligned left, with no indentations at the start of paragraphs. Text is to be single spaced with one space between paragraphs. Additional space is traditionally left between the closing and typed signature for the writer to sign in ink.

Close up of presenter Now, keep all of that in mind as we work through an example letter. For this assignment, to ensure your privacy, everyone will be using the school’s address.

Recorded computer screen showing how to format

You will be writing your letter using Microsoft Word. Here is my own letter. You can see, I already have the address of the school at the top of my page, but it's in the wrong format.

Recorded computer screen showing the heading

The first line should be the street address. The second line should be the city, state, and zip code, and the third line should be today's date. Now you are ready to move on to the next element.

Recorded computer screen showing the inside address

The second element is the inside address. The inside address is the first and last name of the person to whom you are writing and their full mailing address. Everybody's should look exactly the same, because we're all writing to First Lady

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Obama.Recorded computer screen showing the salutation

The third element of your letter is the salutation. Remember, we skip one line between paragraphs and elements, and write Dear First Lady. Normally, in an informal letter, you'd use a comma at this point, but in a business or block letter, you'll use a colon. Now skip another line, and you're ready for the body of your letter.

Recorded computer screen showing the body of the letter

The body of your letter is the most important element. The body of your letter should include at least two paragraphs in which you introduce yourself, express your opinion or concern, and address how the recipient could possibly remedy your concern. You must sound professional and passionate, and provide facts, reasons, and examples to support your position. You should close by thanking the First Lady for her time and reminding her of how she can contact you.

Recorded computer screen showing the signature

The final element is simply your signature. Since this is a formal letter, you’ll use the closing “Sincerely” followed by a comma, then leave a few lines to actually sign in ink once you print, and finally, type your first and last name.

Long shot of presenter That’s it! Your next step should be to peer edit with your assigned partner and to check your letter against the “Letters to Lady Obama” rubric available on the WebQuest before turning it in.

Transition back to close-up of presenter

I’ll be available if you have any additional questions or need help brainstorming. Congratulations on making it to this point in the WebQuest! You’re almost done!

Credits, fade music in and out None

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Storyboard

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Title ScreenWtiting a Letter in Block Format

Hello, students! You’ve now come to the “Learn” step of your WebQuest assignment. You need to learn how to write and format a letter so that it

a) appears uniform and professional and b) successfully conveys your request.

You are going to write a letter to the First Lady Michelle Obama, just as students your age wrote to Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt over 70 years ago. You should have already read many of their letters as part of your research.The format you will use to write your letter is commonly called “block” or “business letter” format.

You must always remember the Five Essential elements of a letter written in block format. The five elements are heading, inside address, salutation, body, and signature.

There are also a number of important formatting considerations.


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All text is to be aligned left, with no indentations at the start of paragraphs. Text is to be single spaced with one space between paragraphs. Additional space is traditionally left between the closing and typed signature for the writer to sign in ink.

Now, keep all of that in mind as we work through an example letter. For this assignment, to ensure your privacy, everyone will be using the school’s address.

You will be writing your letter using Microsoft Word. Here is my own letter. You can see, I already have the address of the school at the top of my page, but it's in the wrong format.

The first line should be the street address. The second line should be the city, state, and zipcode, and the third line should be today's date. Now you are ready to move on to the next element.

The second element is the inside address. The inside address is the first and last name of the person to whom you are writing and their full mailing address. Everybody's should look exactly the same, because we're all writing to First Lady Obama.

The third element of your letter, is the salutation. Remember, we skip one line between paragraphs and elements, and write Dear First Lady. Normally, in an informal letter, you'd use a comma at this point, but in a business or block letter, you'll use a colon. Now skip another line, and you're ready for the body of your letter.


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The body of your letter is the most important element. The body of your letter should include at least two paragraphs in which you introduce yourself, express your opinion or concern, and address how the recipient could possibly remedy your concern. You must sound professional and passionate, while providing facts, reasons, and examples to support your position. You should close by thanking the First Lady for her time and reminding her of how she can contact you.

The final element is simply your signature. Since this is a formal letter, you’ll use the closing “Sincerely” followed by a comma, then leave a few lines to actually sign in ink once you print, and finally, type your first and last name.

That’s it! Your next step should be to peer edit with your assigned partner and to check your letter against the “Letters to Lady Obama” rubric available on the WebQuest before turning it in.

I’ll be available if you have any additional questions or need help brainstorming. Congratulations on making it to this point in the WebQuest! You’re almost done!

Credits


References

Quraish, L. (2012). Great Depression PowerPoint. Retrieved from

http://www.slideshare.net/819lisanicole/great-depression-powerpoint-for-webquest

Quraish, L. (2012). Great Depression WebQuest. Retrieved from

https://sites.google.com/site/usgreatdepression/

Scholastic. (n.d.) Business Letter Format. Retrieved from

http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonplans/format.pdf

Smaldino, S.E., Lowther, D.L., & Russell, J.D. (2012). Instructional Technology and

Media for Learning. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

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https://sites.google.com/site/usgreatdepression/