Video editing used to be quite specialized, but technological advances have now put the tools and software within reach of anyone who wants to take advantage of them. I've heard teachers mention that it's a lot of work to teach the process of planning, shooting, and editing video footage. Does it require a bit more instructional time, yes. But, it's so much more fun (and probably more effective) than giving a multiple choice test.
I have a good friend who took the time to teach his middle school students about the conflicts in Africa, show them the film "Hotel Rwanda" and give them the opportunity to assume the roles of the different groups involve in the conflict. Within each role, the students explored the values, concerns and culture important to that role. They then recorded a monolog set to pictures from the film using digital video editing techniques in iMovie. These monologs were set up in a gallery walk format for the students (and several staff members) to view. Through the gallery walk, students were able to learn about other points of view within the conflict - and since they were learning from eachother, they were experiencing a form of social constructivism through the creation of the monologs and the gallery walk.
I also know a teacher that runs the exemplary project program at a local middle school. His whole world revolves around video production. He works with teachers to integrate video into curriculum. If I remember right, he helped a HILT classroom to develop an "About America" series which looked at history, culture, customs, and other things. I think he helped a health class develop PSAs about Alcohol, Drugs, etc. as a culminating activity.
Under both of these teachers, students truly showed just how much of the content they learned through application. The possibilities for digital video editing are endless and the students are almost always 100% engaged and the results are usually pleasantly surprising.
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