Project Summary

Dean prepared the following document which describes in detail the role the students played in creating their videotape as well as Dean's goals for the students.

SENSE OF PLACE

Okoboji High School, Milford, Iowa

Participants:

Mrs. Diane Dean's Speech Class (3 Juniors, 3 Seniors)

Goal:

To involve the school and the community in the production and presentation of a historical look at the Okoboji Schools for the Iowa Sesquicentennial.

Outcomes:

Students have learned cooperation/teamwork skills; composition skills; technological skills involving videotaping, video editing, using video computer companion programs, laying music under video, and laying stills over video; students have learned interviewing techniques, video logging of hours of tape, research skills, storyboarding, and problem solving.

Strategies:

1. Use a small group of students which makes interaction less threatening and involvement unavoidable

2. Make project "large" enough that students can find an area of interest to become involved (i.e. technology, planning, interviewing, organizing, etc.)

3. Encourage all to learn something new, but allow students to migrate to their strengths and learning styles

4. Force students to sink or swim, but continue to encourage and be their cheerleader. Ownership comes with time and patience. Continue to give incentive to make it important to them.

   Summary of Project:

   1. Beginning
      A. Allowed students to internalize Sense of Place idea.
      1. Told them my ideas and what made up my sense of place.
         
      2. Students wrote in journals for two days.
         
      3. Students discussed their journals.
         
      4. Each student wrote definition of Sense of Place. (Some are belonging, feels like home, where grew up, security, special place).

      B. Students were given Speech assignments.

      1. First, to give speech about "Who They Are".
         
      2. Second, to give a personal experience speech
         
      3. Third, to give a speech about a story passed down in their family.
      
      
   2. Became familiar with Video Project
      A. Viewed Pocahontas Historical Video of Main Street.

      B. Viewed "How to Make a Video"

      C. Guest Speaker, Ruth Alrich, from Pocahontas

      1. Gave ideas and suggestions about interviewing
         
      2. Benefit of her experience with organizing.

      D. Handout on Interviewing techniques.

      E. Media Center Director Cheryl Eichman gave lessons on video techniques.

   3. Began the project
      A. Students brainstormed together and narrowed down the project
      1. Historical look at Okoboji Schools--Their sense of place.
      
      B. Began outline of the Storyboard

      C. Selected teachers from 3 buildings; Elementary, Middle School, High School

      1. Sent letters of explanation to teachers
         
      2. Made appointments

      D. Started interview process

      1. Learned from mistakes (shooting by window, use lavaliere microphone, recording visual surroundings)
         
      2. Learned by doing
      
      
   4. Putting the final tape together
      A. Videotaped still photos

      B. Learned to use VCR Companion (Computer program)

      C. Learned reel to reel video editing

      D. Learned music under, and stills over techniques

      E. Natural division in duties took place:

      1. Two students worked on planning and storyboard
         
         a. Kept work flowing
      2. Two videotaped stills, scenes, and misc.
         
      3. Two worked the reel to reel editing (placing all on the final tape).

      F. About 20 interviews were conducted, teachers and community

      G. Discoveries and Problem Solving:

      1. Audio dubbing: no one at school knew how
         
      2. Logging videos: took time but very helpful
         
      3. Motivation and bonding of team surprised all
         
      4. Pride in professionalism of product
         
      5. Letter to obtain rights to use Madonna song

   5. Final tape outline
      A. "Our School--Our Sense of Place"

      B. Video of schools and kids in halls

      C. History of each building (old photos, interview of community members)

      D. Several Questions answered by several teachers, one question at a time

      E. Sense of Place definitions given by many teachers

      F. Close with students' comments

      Final Step:

      The Okoboji Sense of Place Video "Our School--Our Sense of Place" will be presented to the community at different functions and organizations, and will be shown at the 1996 Sesquicentennial Celebration in Okoboji. A one-room school house is being renovated for the celebration and our video will be shown there all summer. Interested parties may buy copies, also.

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