Idea: Making a film together brings people together
Where possible, teacher Maurice Ermen uses video in his lessons. He sees students collaborate enthusiastically and learn much more than just the lesson goal.
Image: Angeliek de Jonge
“Slide to lock”, Master Benjamin reads aloud. He then slides his entire tablet aside and looks surprised when that doesn't work. It is a fragment from the movie 'Mediawijs or gray?' with which the group led by teacher Maurice Ermen of primary school De Uitvinding in Enschede won a prize last year.
At this personalized education school, each child follows their own learning path. Ermen is responsible for his base group with children from groups 6, 7 and 8 and also teaches world orientation. He devises his own lessons and assignments, where possible using video. “Film is a great tool because it offers so many layers,” he says. "In addition to making the film, it is also about citizenship, media literacy, language, presenting yourself and you name it."
Fake news
For example, he linked a project about space to the theme of vlogging. One of the assignments was: create an advertising vlog to sell a house on the moon. “Of course you need to know all kinds of facts about the moon and how to present them in a fun way to convince people,” he explains. "Students also learn what advertising is and how to really distinguish it from fake news."
Students first make a plan. After approval, filming can begin. Finally, they can edit the film and add titles or music. “Children are very creative and want to get started right away. This is in line with their world of experience; they deal with video, vloggers or snapchat every day. So they get super enthusiastic when they can learn things about this, ”explains Ermen, who has been fond of films since childhood and has more than four hundred DVDs at home. “I myself learned much better through images than through text. School TV was the best moment of the week for me. I take that enthusiasm into the classroom as a teacher. ”
Children get super excited when they can learn about film
Every year he also makes larger films with his tribe group, such as for the Children's Rights Film Festival. Ermen: “That is an ideal time for any teacher to start working with film, because it offers a clear framework. You come up with ideas for a film about a children's right with the children and make a prototype of it together. If the idea is chosen, they will come and shoot the real film at school. Recommended!"
Trots
Ermen hopes that more teachers will want to use film in class, even if they are less interested in it themselves. “Children enjoy doing it, which means that they will often remember the material more quickly. In addition, they can discover their talents in the various aspects that go with it: from acting and set design to camera work and promotion. Working together on a product that everyone is proud of afterwards also creates a good atmosphere. Making a film together brings people together. ”
According to him, anyone who wants to can start it tomorrow. Filming can be done with a mobile phone and editing via a free program like iMovie. The Quik app, which automatically converts images into a movie, is already suitable from group 3. “Just start small”, he suggests. “You can make it as crazy as you want and add special effects, but you don't have to. The frameworks of the assignment, such as length and content, provide guidance, so that you can let go of the students. You will see that they can already do a lot themselves and pick it up very quickly. I showed a boy who couldn't edit something twice and now he does most of the videos and teaches other children. ”
You can make it as crazy as you want and add special effects, but you don't have to
Integrating video into his classes earned Ermen a nomination for Film Teacher of the Year. He just missed the title, but does not see that as a loss. "It has generated a lot of attention for film education and that is ultimately what it is all about." I'll be back, he also responded afterwards, referring to the statement of his favorite actor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He has plenty of plans. For example, this year he wants to make an interactive film with his class, in which the audience can choose the sequel. "Exactly how to do that is still a challenge for me, but at least students are already overflowing with ideas."
