Analog and digital video production techniques in developing new media literacy skills among university students

Although media production is considered to be a time consuming, difficult, and expensive process, educators need to integrate media production into their curriculum in order to prepare new generations for a media-rich culture. Rather than just being technical or peripheral, media production must be simple and central to the learning process. This research promotes media literacy skills/goals through analog and digital production techniques. This study describes and analyzes the varied reactions and educational experiences of analog and digital video production groups. This dissertation was based on research conducted in Hingham and Sharon, Massachusetts and Verona, Wisconsin from the spring of 2001 through the summer of 2001. The study investigated the educational experiences of three groups of forty-eight students who were completing their technology in education master programs. The study examined how participants were affected by different media production activities. This qualitative research focused on the importance of learning new media literacy skills through simple production techniques on a video camera versus digital editing on computer. The participants in three different groups were asked to produce the same technique, transition, or special effect. Their responses to the media survey, questionnaires, media productions, interviews, as well as their midterm and final projects were compared and evaluated. The study described in this dissertation explored three key topics in order to understand the educational experiences of participants: the wide range of meanings participants associate with media education; the impact of video production activities on participants\u27 understanding of media; and the ways in which they integrated media production in their midterm and final projects.* *This dissertation is multimedia (contains text and other applications not available in printed format). The CD requires the following applications: Windows 95 or higher; Microsoft Office; QuickTime; MediaPlayer or RealPlayer