A site full of free software
VMBO teacher Bart Valkenier bundles free creative tools on his website and creates instructional videos. In this way he wants to stimulate the digital spark in students.
Image: Angeliek de Jonge
The logo falls apart, the presenter goes up in flames and suddenly a shark swims into the picture. In his promotional video Bart Valkenier gives spectacular examples of what students can make digitally. More than eight years ago he started as a teacher of physics and chemistry at VMBO Talentstad in Zwolle. For the Talent TV project, he helped students make films about the school. In addition to studying chemistry and teacher training, he has followed an art education with music and film as a specialty. “Students thought it was so cool what I showed that they wanted to make it too,” he says. “But that is only possible with software that you have to pay for, such as the Adobe package. The explanation is in English, which they find difficult. 'That can be done differently', I thought at the time. ”
This is how he came up with the idea to search for free software and bundle it on a website, making the instructional videos himself. With a grant from the Teacher Development Fund, the school was able to schedule him one day a week for two years. He received a budget for equipment such as a 3D printer and a microphone and for a designer who designed a logo, corporate identity and the basic structure of the website.
Trustworthy
Meanwhile the website a fact. There are at least twenty programs on it, divided into seven themes, from photo editing and illustration to 3D animation. Very useful and reliable are conditions, so 'annoying' trial versions with watermarks and advertising are out of the question. “It is surprising how many super good alternatives there are,” says Valkenier. “Every week I come across something that is free and can be used well. It just stands everywhere and nowhere. On my site everything is now clearly arranged and it looks great, so that it appeals to young people. ”
One person likes to watch a long video first, while another wants to get started right away and only wants to watch a video if he has a question
He makes videos with instructions for every software program. “It was quite a search how to make a good training,” he says. “Just sit in front of a webcam and talk to yourself, then you feel quite strange. But it is a fun process, in which I involved my students. One person likes to watch a long video first, while another wants to get started right away and only wants to watch a video if he has a question. That is why I also started making mini films, in which I explain how to do something in no more than one minute. ”
The slogan with which he often ends his videos is #make something. “I want to fuel the digital spark that I see in the eyes of students,” the teacher explains about his mission. “I hope to motivate them to create something on their laptop instead of dealing with social media or gaming. Art and creativity make the world a bit more beautiful and people happier. If students are already acquiring the skills now and can indulge in their creativity without hindrance from language or money, then they will benefit so much later. ”
His efforts are bearing fruit, says Valkenier, who is now a teacher in the field of Services and Products and mainly still teaches film and media. “A girl can draw really well and now makes beautiful animations. She will soon be doing a creative training for which she already has the digital techniques in-house. I think that's fantastic. Fourth-year students had to make a film for their exam, for which they have the free program Hit movie have used. That went very well. Isn't it great that you can meet the requirements of a full exam like this? ”
Platform
The subsidy will run until July, a new application is still pending, but Valkenier will continue anyway. “The site will remain free. I don't make a profit with it, I am just an enthusiastic teacher who finds this important. The poster with an overview of all tools can therefore be ordered free of charge and my newsletter is full of tips and tricks for teachers. I get positive reactions from all over the country, so the interest is there, but the website could be even more widely known. I hope to build a platform where everyone contributes. Just examples for the hall of fame are welcome. That's cool for the maker and everyone can learn something from it. ”
