"There's a special kind of magic that happens when you take an idea that existed only in your mind, shape it with your hands, and watch it come alive in front of a camera. It changes how you see yourself."
Jim HensonNow that you have your plan ready to go, it is time for the most exciting part: bringing your ideas to life! You have already done the hard work of thinking through your audience and your message. Now, you get to use the skills you have been developing to record and polish your content.
Remember, you do not need a Hollywood budget to be a great communicator. Whether you are filming in your backyard in Brampton or at a local park in Ottawa, your creativity is what matters most. If you need to "pretend" you are on a snowy mountain in the middle of July, go for it! We can all use our imaginations to support your vision as long as your message is clear and engaging.
Step-by-Step Improvement: Take Jim Henson's advice: focus on the "magic" of shaping your ideas. By editing your first video fully before filming the second, you'll learn exactly what adjustments to make next, building your confidence and skill with each iteration.
To help you grow as a creator, I want you to try a specific workflow. Instead of filming everything at once, please complete your three videos one at a time: Plan, Record, Edit, and Reflect.
By editing your first video before you film your second, you will notice little things you might want to change in your performance or your lighting. This "loop" is exactly how professional YouTubers and TikTokers improve their craft!
Use the Canva Video Editor to put your clips together.
Upload the Short, Medium, and Long versions of your content, showing how you adapted your message to different platform constraints.
Once your videos are finished, record a quick screencast (you can use a combination of the Canva Free Screen Recorder and the Canva Online Video Recorder to show your work and record yourself, or another screen recorder of your choice). In this video, "walk me through" your work:
Deliverable:
Upload your video reflection walking through your creative choices, self-assessment, and future goals.
Before you submit, please complete the Pre-Submission Self-Assessment.
Short, Medium, and Long platform versions of 3 videos
Screencast video reviewing your process and what you worked to improve throughout the videos
We are learning to:
Refine on-screen presentation skills to communicate with confidence and clarity
Apply specific media conventions to create tailored content for diverse Canadian audiences
Evaluate the quality of produced media to identify meaningful strengths and professional next steps
I can:
Polish my oral communication by using effective non-verbal cues and a variety of speaking strategies that build on my personal growth goals
Produce engaging media texts by selecting information and using conventions that specifically appeal to my chosen audience and purpose
Reflect on my creative process by identifying my strengths in media production and explaining how my literacy skills helped me succeed
| Category | Level 4 | Level 3 | Level 2 | Level 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knowledge/Understanding | Videos demonstrate detailed understanding of the nuances of various formats | Videos demonstrate understanding of the nuances of various formats | Videos usually demonstrate understanding of the nuances of various formats | Videos sometimes demonstrate understanding of the nuances of various formats |
| Thinking/Inquiring | Screencast demonstrates thorough evaluation of appropriate next steps | Screencast demonstrates evaluation of appropriate next steps | Screencast demonstrates evaluation of mostly appropriate next steps | Screencast demonstrates evaluation of somewhat appropriate next steps |
| Application | Videos demonstrate significant improvement in student's identified goals | Videos demonstrate reasonable improvement in student's identified goals | Videos demonstrate some improvement in student's identified goals | Videos demonstrate a little improvement in student's identified goals |
| Communication | Points made in videos are very easy to understand and presented expertly for the medium | Points made in videos are easy to understand and presented appropriately for the medium | Points made in videos are usually easy to understand and presented appropriately for the medium | Points made in videos are sometimes easy to understand and presented somewhat appropriately for the medium |
Videos demonstrate detailed understanding of the nuances of various formats
Videos demonstrate understanding of the nuances of various formats
Videos usually demonstrate understanding of the nuances of various formats
Videos sometimes demonstrate understanding of the nuances of various formats
Screencast demonstrates thorough evaluation of appropriate next steps
Screencast demonstrates evaluation of appropriate next steps
Screencast demonstrates evaluation of mostly appropriate next steps
Screencast demonstrates evaluation of somewhat appropriate next steps
Videos demonstrate significant improvement in student's identified goals
Videos demonstrate reasonable improvement in student's identified goals
Videos demonstrate some improvement in student's identified goals
Videos demonstrate a little improvement in student's identified goals
Points made in videos are very easy to understand and presented expertly for the medium
Points made in videos are easy to understand and presented appropriately for the medium
Points made in videos are usually easy to understand and presented appropriately for the medium
Points made in videos are sometimes easy to understand and presented somewhat appropriately for the medium