Learning About Migration Through Interviews

Description:
1. The teacher will instruct students on the use of the Flip Video. In partnerships, students will be guided on how to use the Flip Video. Students will have an opportunity to practice filming each other for five minutes each, to get the feel of the Flip Video. During this practice session they will also practice zooming in and out during an interview.
2. The class will then have a discussion on how to create a successful interview using the Flip Video. This discussion should include length of interview (3-5 minutes), keeping the Flip Video steady, using zoom in/out features when appropriate, speaking clearly, using eye contact, listening to the interviewee, and asking follow up questions.
3. Through a guided class discussion about reasons an individual may migrate to the United States or another country, students will brainstorm a list of questions to ask an individual that has migrated.
4. Student will be split into small groups and assigned to an adult that has migrated to another country (The teacher will have prearranged for individuals to be available for the interviews).
5. Student groups will work together to create questions to use for the interview. These questions will address the reason why the person migrated to the United States, obstacles and/or hardships the individual may have faced, and the cultural background of the individual.
6. Students will decide on roles within their group. These roles will include: camera person and interviewer.
7. Students will meet with their interviewee and film their interview.
8. Once all groups have filmed their interviews, the interviews will be burned onto one disk. Optional: Display a map of the world between each clip that shows where the next person is from.
9. To sum up the experience, the teacher will play the completed video for the whole class. After each interview, students can compare and contrast the reasons people have migrated. Students can also talk about what went well with the interview itself, and how the interview could be improved next time.