The Art of Teaching the Large Group Project Course

Panel Submission Type: Panel/Research Presentation Session

Abstract

Teaching a course where students work in large teams is more challenging than it sounds. This panel presents ideas on how to effectively teach courses where students produce multimedia projects in large groups, with a focus on capstone experiences. We’ll explore how to best manage student collaboration, communication, using technology, and class structure to enable students to produce award-winning and professional-quality work.

PRESENTATIONS INCLUDED

Teaching Teamwork and Collaboration in a Capstone Newscast Production Class
This presentation covers the model in use at the University of Montevallo. My capstone course of producers, anchors, and reporters must not only work with each other, but they also must work with students in the Video Engineering course — which provides directors, TDs, camera operators, etc. This type of collaborative experience gives students hands-on experience working and leading a team of diverse students in a fast-paced newsroom environment.

Mastering the Client-Based Experiential Learning Capstone
In this presentation, I show how forming student teams in my capstone course allows for them to be better engaged with community nonprofit organizations. From planning events and producing a campaign portfolio with photo, social media, and video highlight elements to conducting a SWOT analysis and primary research to define the target audience, students align ethical considerations and diversity recommendations in this client-based experiential learning course.

Hollywood meets Nollywood: Filmmaking and Storytelling Across Continents
In this presentation I highlight the importance and transformative benefits of future content creators from the Western world and Africa meeting, brainstorming, and collaborating virtually on projects. Students participate in discussions and develop an oral history project and a short film project all in groups via Zoom. You will learn how to create a space for understanding, learning, and awareness while challenging how we connect with stories across continents.

Strategizing Experiential Learning Through Collaboration: A Cross-cultural Media Project Course
This presentation explores the practical ways that faculty can purposefully use experiential learning to broaden students’ understanding of course content with high impact practices. By practically integrating specific strategies into the course curriculum, my students use the production of a longform journalism book project and website to instill cultural knowledge, team strategies, and other lessons through reflective assignments and experiences.

Sub Unit

• Production Aesthetics & Criticism

Moderator

• Adam Peruta, Syracuse University

Panelists

• Elizabeth Oppe, West Virginia University

• Bruce Finklea, University of Montevallo

• Tamara Welter, Biola University

• Shola Ajayi, Ithaca College