Students as Creators Who Can Make a Difference

by Colleen Worrell, Secondary Technology Integration Coordinator

 

Image from Think!

Cyberbullying, food allergies, homework policy, school lunches, new food policy, distracted driving, ultimate frisbee club, cancer research, depression, cruelty to animals, Haiti relief fund, recycling, Be Positive, world hunger, school dances, ski club, GSA, racism, homelessness, Hillers hockey, drunk driving, stress, UNICEF, Boston One Fund, volunteer opportunities at HHS, concussion prevention, Hillers cross country team, suicide prevention, and Hiller pride.

These are only some of the topics that 9th graders have chosen for their final project in our Freshman Technology Seminar. The subjects of the videos are as varied and dynamic as the students themselves. Their approaches to this project, too, are diverse, spanning from comical and light-hearted, to serious and poignant. The culminating assignment for the course allows for this diversity by asking students to craft a short 2-3 minute persuasive video that addresses an issue or topic of their choice -- with one caveat: make sure it is relevant to the HHS community. While the learning objectives for the project target specific technology and learning skills (file and project management, persuasive writing, video planning and editing, etc.), we had even loftier goals for this project. Not only did we hope to boost student engagement by encouraging them to create a video on something they are passionate about; but also, we wanted help students see that they have the potential to make a real difference and impact someone in our community.

Here’s a case in point that I shared with some of my students. Last quarter, one of my 9th grade students created a video about her family’s volunteer work NEADS, a non-profit organization that trains service dogs. Her video inspired me to explore the program and, eventually, sign up to become a Weekend Puppy Raiser (our puppy arrives later this month:). Moreover, by connecting me to NEADS, my student’s project led me to arrange for two therapy puppies to visit HHS in December to help students and staff cope with the loss of a beloved student (see a recent story on this in HHS Press). In short, we hope the project conveys this message to our students: your work can make a difference and have a real impact on people in your community.

We are looking forward to the next crop of persuasive videos due in January. Check back to the blog during later this month when I will publish some in this blog!