Integrating Music and Drama Through Technology

All of our newly learned technology skills can come in handy while attempting to integrate music, drama and technology into the classroom.

Many students already have cell phones that can take pictures and record videos so you could have a technology day where they get to bring in their phones or digitial cameras and create a group video similar to the ones we did in our tech class, or you could borrow the school digital camera. Another option that works just as well would be to have them simply make a collection of pictures which they will eventually turn into a video.

One of the most important aspects to this though is adding music. Many students are familiar with soundtracks from Star Wars, Harry Potter, the Matrix etc.. Once they have created their mini movie, they can then pick a music soundtrack to put it with, or you could let them choose the music at the beginning and have them work their skit or pictures around it.

The final results end up really good and the students end up with a really neat memory/memento to take home and show their parents, plus it's direct evidence for student assessment!. I've done this for creating skits around rules for the beginning of camp and not only was it really fun but the kids never forgot the rules.

One of my friends is really good with computers and he has collected many video clips and pictures from different hikes and outdoor adventures we've been on and turned them into great little mini movies (something which we all can now do!). Here's an example of his which is from a few years ago when we went on an overnight hike up to grizzly den cabin which is about an hours drive from PG. Do you recognize the music? Hope it makes you smile!