MediaLab: video as a multi-valent tool for science teaching and learning

ABSTRACT

In this article we examine the utility of video storytelling in the discipline of food chemistry in the development of media literacy for science graduates and as a radical approach to science teaching and learning where the production of a video is both a process and a product. The pedagogical programme aimed to integrate food chemistry and digital video technology using an iPhone. Students, in groups of four, prepared a four-minute video that demonstrated their knowledge of food chemistry either by preparation of a food item, or by visiting a local industry body and were charged with describing and videoing the food chemistry process they observed. As part of this programme students were taught videography skills by filmmakers and mentored by chemistry educators to ensure that the food chemistry described was comprehensive and accurate. This programme facilitated a learning environment in which students could construct, develop, learn, and consider their understanding through multiple sensory inputs. The programme fostered connections between research and education, allowed more personalised learning to develop, and permitted alternate assessment strategies.

KEYWORDS:

• Video essay
• science communication
• video pedagogy
• participatory media

Notes on contributors

Martin Potter is Researcher and Lecturer in the School of Communication and Creative Arts of Deakin University, member of the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation and investigator with the Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage (www.epicaustralia.org.au). He is a multi-award winning producer of documentaries and participatory, transmedia and media for development projects including Big Stories, Small Towns (www.bigstories.com.au) and The White Building (www.whitebuilding.org).

Kellie Tuck is Associate Professor of Chemistry at Monash University. Kellie was recipient of a Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2009, awarded in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the Faculty of Science’s teaching programme. She also received a Citation from the Office for Learning and Teaching in 2012, in recognition of her innovative and inspirational teaching, and the Faculty of Science Award for Excellence in Postgraduate Supervision in 2018. She is currently the Associate Head Education in the School of Chemistry.

Andrea J. Robinson is Professor in the School of Chemistry at Monash University. She serves on two International Symposia Committees for Homogeneous Catalysis (ISHC) and Olefin Metathesis (ISOM). She is the past President of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) Peptide Users Group, and between 2012–5, she served as the Associate Dean (Research) within the Faculty of Science.

Paul W. Richardson began his career as a secondary school teacher. He completed his PhD at Monash University for which he was awarded the Mollie Holman university medal. At Monash University Paul has taught both undergraduate and postgraduate courses on English curriculum and literacy education as well as research methods, particularly in the interpretation of research literature. He was Associate Dean (Teaching) in the Faculty of Education at Monash University until taking up a position as a research fellow (2004–2006) at the University of Michigan with Professor Jacquelynne Eccles and Dr Elizabeth Moje, examining the social and cultural influences on adolescent literacy development in and out of school.

Anna Grieve has over 30 years experience as an independent producer/director/scriptwriter and from 2001–09 was Executive Producer at Film Australia. Her extensive production credits includes four large scale dramatised documentaries films with Writer/Director Peter Butt - I,Spry, The Prime Minister is Missing, Silent Storm and the Logie award winning Who Killed Dr Bogle & Mrs Chandler? It remains the highest rating documentary on ABC TV. She has also produced the feature documentaries Croker Island Exodus, Death or Liberty, The Family, Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky. Anna has extensive interactive and web documentariy experiences and since 2008 she has been co-producing the multi-platform Big Stories Small Towns, a participatory media project gathering local stories for a global audience and winner of the best community interactive SXSW 2012.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.