The Curriculum Through ICT Program

Ideas Bank

Beastly Biographies

THE TASK

Students worked in small groups to investigate an historical character of their choice. The aim of the task was to summarise the influence the chosen character had on the history of their time, or on today. In addition, in order to meet the Time, Continuity and Change outcome fully, students were required to review the character from different perspectives.

During planning, students selected a character in negotiation with the teacher, prepared focus questions and identified possible information sources. After locating, selecting and organising information using a range of print and Internet sources, the groups analysed different viewpoints and identified the key influences of their character on history.

Students communicated their findings by creating a short video movie which they scripted, storyboarded, filmed and edited using video editing software. The characters were acted out in full costume and the findings communicated with a sprinkling of humour. The short videos were made available online (school Intranet) for whole school use.

ICT ENRICHMENT

• Multimedia (video, text, images, sound) enhanced student engagement with the concepts.
• Online resources were relevant, up-to-date, authentic and available any time. Copyright issues were addressed at point of need.
• ICT enabled anytime shared script-writing using the "track changes" feature in MS Word.
• Creation of a CD extended the audience to the whole school and families, giving greater purpose to the task.
• ICT enabled whole school participation and feedback through voting.

SUGGESTED RESOURCES

• Information Organisers (website)
• Teaching Viewing and Visual Texts, by Quin, McMahon and Quin, pub. Curriculum Corporation, 1996 (Primary & Secondary editions).
• 10 Tips for Capturing Great Video (web page)
• Create and Edit Movies (web page)

ASSESSMENT

• Anecdotal notes were recorded during class observation, group conferences and individual questioning.
• The Society & Environment outcomes were monitored throughout the activity using documentation such as planning notes, completed information organisers, scripts and final products.
• Checklists.
• Student self and peer assessment.

LEARNING AREA OUTCOMES

Society & Environment
Investigation, Communication and Participation
Time, Continuity and Change

English
Speaking
Viewing
Writing

Based on a learning activity developed by Marie Beardsell.