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Definition/Description:
According to wikipedia.org, a DVD (sometimes known as "Digital Versatile Disc" or "Digital Video Disc") is an optical disc storage media format that can be used for data storage, including movies with high video and sound quality. They look similar to CDs, but have larger storage capacity. DVDs are quickly taking over the personal home movie market and are making VCRs and videotapes a thing of the past. Examples include many popular movies and tv show collections. Click here for some examples.
Selection Criteria:
- Purpose: identify the purpose and it should line up with the curriculum
- Content: the content should be school appropriate and also line up with the curriculum
- Source: the vendor should be a reliable source of educational DVDs
- Availability: if it isn't available, you can't buy it :)
- Price: make sure the purpose justifies the price and if it is within your budget
Vendors:
Libraryvideo.com
Amazon.com
The Discovery Store
Useful Tips on Using DVDs:
- DVDs can be used in a classroom to easily show a portion, or chapter of a film
- The extra features on some educational films are valuable resources
- Frames of DVDs can be paused without interferring with the picture quality
- Pay attention to time codes: They make it easy to reach an exact point in a film
- Keep well maintained and protected- wear does not occur from use, but from damage
Instructional Uses:
- A DVD can provide a visual example of a highly technical process, such as a science experiment, computer repair, or small engine repair.
- A DVD can be used to transport a history class to another time and experience a historical event.
- The extra features menu can give a film class a behind the scenes look at roles and responsabilities of different cast and crew.
- A DVD can provide an example of something that students would not experience otherwise, such as the culture of a tribe in Africa.
- A DVD can provide instruction or model a process, such as how to complete a mechanical drawing.
Personal Recommendations:
I used DVDs a great deal in my classroom. I taught a CGI unit and 3-D modeling. As a introduction to this unit my classes watched some of the special features for several of films that used CGI. It gave them an idea of the process and technology used in industry. As an ending to the unit we watched a film and kept track of each instance where CGI was used and then they were to pick three of those instances and explain how it was done.
*For more advantages and disadvantages for DVDs see pages 157-158 in Van Orden.
Self-Assessment: Rubric Link |
