ABSTRACT
The children use low-cost digital video cameras to produce a ‘magazine’ article. After studying a news report from a television programme and identifying the key features and format, the children will plan, storyboard and script their own video news report. They will then film and edit the report. Finally, they will film the overall programme to link the reports together and evaluate the outcome. The organisation for the filming will be dependent on the availability of equipment. If there are sufficient cameras and computers for each group to work at the same time, the filming could be done in one lesson. Working in groups to develop their scripts requires them to discuss, evaluate each other’s ideas and justify their choices. Role playing through the dramatisation of the news reports enables them to use formal language in a rigorous setting and to evaluate the effectiveness of their own performance and the performance of others.
