Delegates at a Specialist Schools Trust conference held at the MOMI centre in Bradford were asked this very question. As part of a presentation to delegates about Films for Learning on June the 8th, Mr Richard Wheal, asked "What do you want? What would you make a Film for Learning about?"

Listed here are 22 ideas suggested by delegates:

1. Guide to slang in your school – a dictionary
2. How I would like to be treated in school
3. How to get boys to talk
4. How to cope with separation in a family
5. How difference is OK
6. Revision tips from those who’ve done it.
7. Why you should drink lots of water
8. Differences you’ll find on entering the Sixth Form
9. Why choose healthy food options
10. Insight into GCSE courses for Year 9 students
11. Common spelling errors
12. Video diary of a teacher
13. Recycling
14. Earthquakes
15. The trenches in WW1
16. Coping with exam stress
17. The history of language (for KS3)
18. School processes – counselling, school nurse, bullying support
19. How to be organised
20. Interviews with local people about local history
21. Party political broadcasts for mock elections
22. MFL – students scripting and performing role plays in the target language

If you think your school could and would like to make a Film for Learning about one of these subjects please let us know. Likewise if you have an idea that you would like to make, please add it to this list forum.

I teach D & T and I keep thinking.... or rather... need a short film to explain the differences in process, application, equipment etc. of welding, brazing and soldering. One day I may get round to it... unless anyone has already done it and can share it!

I think of the difference being a bit like... well... welding... pushing two pats of butter together (the butter being the two pieces of metal becoming one, whereas brazing and soldering are like two pieces of bread being held/stuck together with butter... (maybe I just think about food too much!)

although i know film can generally be an effective and hard-hitting way of getting across messages in reference to important issues like bullying, you have to get it just right, or it will not have the desired effect on the audience.

therefore i would be more inclined to create a more light-hearted film, using an idea like the slang dictionary. as a student i would feel more inclined to watch a film like this, though i'd advise anyone making any film to not go overboard on the titles, transitions and effects. choose and sstick to a house style, or it'll just look tacky.

I agree with Peter and Lala about the films about the school itself and bullying, but Mark's post is possible of the most benefit to all you teachers out there! There is no better way to help your students learn something than a video!

I'm sure everybody has been in a room and somebody has said "can we watch a video sir?" So psychologically, you're more likely to communicate all of the needed information through video than just talking as a lot of talking isn't taken in by the human brain,

I'd say food is firmly on all of our minds hence why it ends up in every FfL film! :P

I have a strange urge to eat some solder now!

Like the metaphor by the way ;)