Sew What? Sew This! – Lesson 7563

TIPC Ratings

Students acquired information for this lesson from two sources. Their class notes and the manual for the sewing machine. They determined accuracy by reviewing these two sources and then assembling that information into the creation of the video directions for using a sewing machine. (Part of the reasoning behind having students create a video is because there are very few specific video’s available on the internet that focus specifically on the Bernia 215 model sewing machine.)

In this lesson the teacher crafted an authentic task that engaged the students in the use of purposeful collaboration during the creation of the videos. While the student teams were selected by the teacher, once in those groups, the students had to designate the team roles needed and assign them within the group. Students then utilized the Google Doc planning form to collaborate on all planning aspects for the video. In addition the teacher was able to communicate with students both inside and outside the classroom, as the scripts were developed, using the comment features in Google.

Students were given the problem of creating a clear and entertaining video to help the 6th grade students understand the sewing machine parts and basic use. They were required to choose how to demonstrate this in the best way possible using the technology available to them within the time allotted. In the process of completing this task students were required to make quality decisions on the steps, dialogue, and recording options to produce the highest quality video.

To be successful in this assignment, students had to not only show their knowledge, but create an original movie that would be entertaining and understandable. They were required to synthesize both their existing knowledge of sewing machines and their new understanding of video recording techniques to create a product that both informed and entertained the viewers.