Exploring the use of video and computer technology in the classroom

Abstract

This study, conducted in a large southwestern U.S. city during the spring semester, 1997, explored an environment in which students in an engineering and technology magnet middle school were to work with video and computers to produce a series of products. The initial purpose of this exploratory-descriptive study was to look for literacy events relating to learning about these technologies. This study's population included the teacher, her classroom aide, the school's principal, and approximately 21 students. Students, who were to develop individual 10-step video production projects, achieved a mean of 4.55, a median of 4, and a mode of 3 based on step completed. only one student finished the project. Expecting each student to produce an individual project appeared to restrict the discourse necessary for students to learn the literacies of video and computers. Other mitigating influences involved materials and equipment, teacher health, and outside influences (e.g., a death in the family and university course work). Future studies should consider: (1) a classroom in which a strong collaborative/cooperative group relationship is established among the students and/or; (2) an approach examining several video production classes each day for an entire semester.