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Films for Learning can be used as a model for students and educators to make films about subjects which teachers may find difficult, tricky or dangerous to explain.
The FFL model is innovative for more than just its use of film. Teachers can become clients, and can commission student film ‘companies’ to make films that will be of direct use to the teachers in the classroom.
This approach gives the films double learning value, creating new learning experiences for the students who make the films and for the students who then view them.
Such client/film company relationships have the potential to generate genuine collaboration between teacher and student, bringing a freshness of vision to a subject that has potential to hook students into learning from watching films perhaps more than by watching those which are slick professionally produced.
A film that may not be quite so ‘polished’ might inspire and challenge another student (or educator) to produce an even better film. The FFL Community allows film makers the opportunity to share their experiences, as well as offer advice and support.
Five reasons to make Films for Learning:
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Students are engaged in a creative film making process from start to finish.
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Students are able to offer their insights into how the curriculum could be taught better.
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Teachers get the video resources they need, taking on the role of ‘client’ to a team of student filmmakers, setting a brief to develop teaching and learning aids.
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It’s an opportunity to challenge students practically. Often students have some technical know how but don’t get the chance to put their skills to work to a clients brief.
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It’s a different way for teachers and students to work together. The teacher’s role as client allows a fresh dynamic to develop between them and their students. |
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Don't just take our word for it, this is what other people are saying about films for learning:
Professor David H Hargreaves
Associate Director - Development & Research, Specialist Schools and Academies Trust; Fellow, Wolfson College, Cambridge.
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| Films for Learning is an exciting and pioneering project that is drawing on, and extending, the capacity of young people to make films. These films contribute actively to the students’ own learning, both about film making and the use of digital media in general, but also about the curriculum subjects contained in the film. It is through their involvement in such projects that young people become more engaged in their school learning, use their natural creativity, and develop the intellectual, social and practical skills that are in demand in 21st century workplaces. |
| Films for Learning are of value in the places where they are created, but may be used in any school anywhere. In addition, they provide training for students and school staffs in how to make their own films. The importance of this project lies not only in what it is now achieving, but also in the innovative spin-offs that I believe will arise from the many people who collaborate with, or are trained by, the original pioneers. It is through such school-led and student-led enterprise that 21st century schooling will become transformed. | |
Lord David Puttnam
Film-maker and educationist. Works principally in the field of education, serving as an adviser to a number of UK government departments. Chancellor of the University of Sunderland. Chairman of the General Teaching Council. President of UNICEF (UK). Academy fellowship at the 2006 BAFTA awards.
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| "The idea of using film to explain science and technology to young people is an excellent one. I warmly endorse the aims and objectives of this admirable initiative" | |
Katherine Mathieson
Katherine leads NESTA’s science learning portfolio, developing a range of projects designed to test innovative approaches to science education and public engagement with science. Prior to joining NESTA, Katherine worked in a range of science-based organisations including a pharmaceutical company, Science Line and the Forensic Science Service.
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| " Having worked with Mark & Thomas Hardye School on the set up of the Films for Learning website, I think the site is a rich & engaging resource for all teachers & students - whether they simply want to view a particularly tricky demo or whether they want to become a regular expert contributor to the collection of films" | |
Gary McCausland
Managing Director, Dream Ireland
Dream Ireland has been at the forefront of pioneering new approaches to learning since 2001 both within and outside of school that make use of digital technologies and popular culture to re-engage young people within the learning process. Their approach is based upon industry-led, collaborative models that bring practitioners into the learning environment to work with teachers and students to explore digital media products such as Flash, Premier and Photoshop in order to influence and enhance the context and content of learning, improving teaching and attainment across the curriculum.
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| "One of the most innovative approaches to transforming learning within the classroom for both teachers and students that I have come across. Films for Learning is an excellent example of how vision and aspiration can help make learning fun, as well as helping change the way we should think about education." | |
David Powell
Principal Inspector for Primary Education, Dorset County Council
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| "This excellent project puts children and young people at the centre of their learning journey. It is particularly strong in engaging and motivating boys learning." | |
Paul Foster
Platform Evangelist, Microsoft
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| "Films for learning hits the spot for providing young people with a creative learning experience. Add to this the WEB 2.0, User Generated Content approach and you get a cutting edge activity that is as exciting and fun as it is educational. What a mix!" | |
Christine Drew
Chemistry Teacher and Advanced Skills Teacher for ICT and Science
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| "An excellent project in which students and teachers work collaboratively in production of fun, educational films that can be used in the classroom. Education for students by students!" | |