eLearning Africa 2013 will be hosting a series of video-themed sessions in Windhoek this year. Increasingly video is becoming a must-have element in learning resources. We spoke to Adam Salkeld, a television executive and Head of Programmes at Tinopolis, about video in education and what delegates can expect to learn about video at the conference.
eLearning Africa: Why is video important in learning?
AS: A segment of video can bring a learning programme to life. Video engages users, it tells a story, and expresses ideas, experiences and examples to many, many people. Quite simply, moving pictures, along with a soundtrack, are one of the most powerful forms of communication humans have ever invented. As educators, if we want to connect with learners, we ignore this medium at our peril.
eLearning Africa: A lot is being said about the YouTube Generation and how everyone with access to a simple camera is now a film-maker. How does this affect the way we use video in learning?
AS: I have worked in broadcasting in the UK and all over the world for twenty-five years. The biggest change I have seen has been the demystifying, the democratisation if you like, of film and video production. Cameras used to cost as much as luxury cars, now we all have one built into our phones. Many people, particularly the younger generation, make and use video in their everyday lives. We now have a highly video-literate audience, more so than ever before. So that means any of us using video, in broadcasting, communications or indeed learning, have to raise our game. Anything substandard will be spotted, its credibility undermined and its effectiveness as a communications tool greatly reduced.
eLearning Africa: What are your impressions of video in Africa?
AS: I spend a lot of time in Africa and on each visit I see how video in many of its forms is taking an ever greater role in people’s lives. For example I never fail to be impressed by the lively independent film sector here, with the vast output of Nollywood in Nigeria or the Bongo Films in Tanzania. There is so much film-making talent on the continent of Africa. I would love to see some of that creative energy being harnessed to make great learning video. At the other end of the scale I see youngsters in villages and schools recording and sharing short videos on phones or simple cameras. This really is video for the people.
eLearning Africa: You will be running a masterclass at the conference. What can participants expect from this?
AS: First and foremost, I want participants to be inspired to go and use video in a more creative way. In the masterclass I would like delegates to develop an understanding of the film production process, and learn from some of the best movie directors. Of course in education we don’t have Hollywood budgets but we can learn from and be inspired by the best. It should be a very enjoyable session.
eLearning Africa: And what about the Video Clinics?
AS: These are very simple. Anyone who has made a video is welcome to bring it along to the Video Clinic. We will look at them together and discuss simple ways in which they might be improved next time. By working with delegates’ own work I hope we can demystify a lot about the video process and leave people much more confident for future work. I can try to answer any questions you might have and give you the benefit of my experience from over two decades working at BBC TV and other parts of the broadcasting industry.
eLearning Africa: Finally, are you looking forward to visiting Namibia?
AS: The last time I was in Namibia was in 1997, when I spent some time filming a BBC documentary in the Caprivi Strip. I always wanted to return – it has just taken a little longer than I expected! It will be really interesting to see how Namibia has developed since then. I appreciated the warmth of the welcome last time and I am sure it will be even better on this visit: and I can’t wait to try Windhoek Lager again.
The Video Masterclass (MED59) will be held in the Zambezi Room at 1630 on Friday May 31st
The Video Clinics will be held on Thursday May 30th and Friday May 31st at 1045 in the Ai-Ais Room at the Safari Court Hotel
Thanks to everyone for their kind comments. It is always a pleasure to connect with a group of people who can appreciate the potential of video. My apologies that it was such a short and rushed session — whatever Orson Welles may have said, learning about film does take more than an hour! I do hope to see some of you at Video Educa at OEB 2013 in December. We will have much more time there to explore the wonders of moving pictures. We are just working on the new programme and have a lot of new and interesting content planned.
Great session, it was a pleasure to meet Adam and also to hear the input from all the attendees – I’ll be in touch!
The video masterclass with Adam was superb, really really informative and Adam had time to answer everyone’s questions which rounded out the session perfectly.
Really loved the session, it would be great if next year the workshops were filmed as I met many people who had been interested in attending but couldn’t make it.
Hi Sophie,
You could have a look at VIDEO EDUCA http://www.online-educa.com/video-educa which focuses on video education and will feature experts many other notable persons from the video production and education fields.
A video of the conference featuring some of the highlights will be available soon.
Best,
eLearning Africa Team
Will be attending Adam’s masterclass and can’t wait!
Video is a great learning resource and is often under-utilised in the classroom. As a teacher there is no better way to engage my students then through interesting and creative documentaries, historical films and educational videos.
Els