Stop Motion in ICT - A Creative approach for Primary schools

Stop Motion in ICT

So today in ICT at University we were talking about all the different types of creative media we can do in ICT lessons with primary school children (5-11 year olds). We hit on things such as blogs, which as evidenced by the fact you are reading this I have some experience of, podcasts (cringing at the memory of some of my terrible attempts at that medium) and then film making/stop motion. I have some film making experience not that its really of that high a quality but have never managed to create a stop motion film despite always fancying giving it a go. So when our lecturer gave me the opportunity to have a play I jumped at the chance! The following film has NO credits... shame on me but I will list the people I need to thank at the end.

(Jason for the guidance, encouragement and inspiration. Katie and Emma for starring so wonderfully, Rosie for the genius performance and Group E for just being awesome)

Now this film took me 15 minutes to make with minimal effort as it was just a chance to tinker with the software required to produce a stop animation film. The software used was Zu3D which is designed for use by children so the interface is very easy to use and helps you get your ideas on film quickly.

Do I think this is a great idea to teach children? Of course! It is fun, it is creative and it is very educational. If you add in some sort of context for the pupils work you can get something truly amazing. Our lecturer showed us a video of children creating an anti bullying animation which was brilliant but the best I have seen so far is the following video made by a KS1 class (5-7 y.o.a) about the Great Fire of London.

Fantastic!

So a great afternoon lecture which has fired the inspiration up in my mind on how to give good ICT lessons. Why teach children to just word process when you can do stuff like this?

Til' later

C Squ

New banner... redesign and new focus

Dear all,

I am sorry that it has been nearly 18 months since I last wrote on this blog and that had been very infrequent. I am pleased to see that I am on my way to 20,000 views of this blog since its first post as it is more than I ever dreamed of and contemplated I would receive. It is also pleasing to me that the Meatloaf article still fires the imagination of many people 3 years since it was published.

Since 2012 I have changed my path in life from focusing solely on the performance arts aspect of where I want to be. I have in many ways 'found myself' since leaving this forum of mine, I have started on the journey to becoming a Primary School Teacher. This marks a shift in both my priorities and in the content I will publish here on headtheatre... some things will remain the same such as my 'On this day in Theatrical History' articles or the 'Just a Small One' pieces but I will be adding stories about primary level drama lessons and education ideas/experiences I have had as well. 

The blog will also be edited and I will find a way of archiving some of the old content to make it more convenient to read and find. As I shift this new idea/identity onto this website I will be attempting to make it more pupil/child friendly as well due to this being a resource for my own lessons in class so just wait to see some of the new features coming soon! I hope the blog will continue to be a place many of you visit to read some interesting facts and will stick around for some of the stories I have about enthusiastic learners, and not so enthusiastic learners, and kids drama in general.

Xtofer

aka

Mr S