Value-Vlogging

Students work in small groups to create short, smartphone-based videos (vlogs in the style of Reels/Shorts, max. 90 seconds) that creatively, humorously, or documentarily explain a chosen school value and demonstrate how it comes alive in everyday school life.

✍️ Brigitta Rupp, PBÖ

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⏱️ Duration 1 school day

🔄 Frequency One-time

👥 Target Group Students

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Purpose

Translating abstract mission-statement terminology into the actual language and reality of students. It blends media literacy with ethical reflection, strengthening school culture from the ground up.

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Use and Learning Outcomes

1. Deep understanding and personal identification with the school’s core values.
2. Developing media literacy skills (scripting, framing, basic video editing).
3. Enhancing teamwork and creative compromise-finding within a group.
4. Boosting self-expression and public presentation confidence (Power / Achievement).
5. Increasing engagement through the use of highly relevant everyday technology (Fun).

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Wellbeing References

Basic Needs

🏆 Power 🕊️ Freedom 😊 Fun

Quality Dimensions

School culture Social interactions

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Details & Preparation

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Room Requirements

Standard classroom for planning and screening
Permission to shoot on specified school grounds (hallways, courtyard) upon consultation.

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Time for preparation

30 minutes

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Preparation

The teacher needs about 30 minutes initially to clarify technical and legal frameworks (e.g., image rights waivers/consent forms if videos are to be screened school-wide) and prepare a simple grading/feedback rubric along with the list of school values.
For follow-up projects, the workload drops to around 10 minutes, as teachers can reuse the established media guidelines and only need to organize group pairings and assign the specific value topics.

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Materials

Students' smartphones (or school tablets)
Simple (free) editing apps (e.g., CapCut, InShot, or school-approved software)
Storyboard templates
A "Do's & Don'ts" guide for filming.

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Sequence of Steps

Concept & Storyboard (Pre-Production)

⏱ 30-45 minutes

Before anyone picks up a phone, the idea needs to be locked down. A good video requires structure.
The class is divided into teams of 3–4. Each team draws or chooses a specific school value (e.g., "Respect on the school bus" or "Helpfulness during recess").
Students fill out a simple storyboard template. They outline a short scene or storyline: What is the conflict? How does the solution demonstrate the value? Who says what?
Rule: The video must not exceed 60–90 seconds. Keeping it short and punchy is key!

The Shoot (Production)

⏱ 45-60 minutes

Now, the teams move out onto the school grounds to turn their ideas into footage.
Teams disperse to film their scenes. The teacher acts as an "executive producer" in the background, monitoring and offering guidance.
Golden Filming Rules:
1. Always film in landscape mode (or consistently portrait, depending on the target screen layout).
2. Watch the audio! The speaker must be close to the microphone (avoid heavy wind or loud background chatter).
3. Do not film bystanders without their consent (privacy awareness).

Editing (Post-Production)

⏱ 45 minutes

Assembling the raw footage into the final cut.
Students use free, intuitive mobile apps on their phones or tablets to trim and arrange their clips.
Scenes are cut together, a suitable (royalty-free) soundtrack or background music is added, and key words are embedded as text overlays (subtitles). Subtitles are vital to mimic the pacing and aesthetic of modern short-form video.

The Exclusive Premiere (Screening)

⏱ 30-45 minutes

The videos are presented and celebrated within the safe space of the classroom.
The teacher collects the finished videos (via AirDrop, USB drive, or school cloud) and projects them onto the screen/smartboard one by one.
Every video is followed by massive applause. The class shares quick, positive feedback: "Was the core value message clear?" "What was the most creative element?"

Reflection & Transfer

⏱ 15 minutes

Bridging the digital project back into real-world school culture.
The class gathers for a final plenary discussion. Refocus: "Which video highlighted an action that we can all actively start practicing during a break tomorrow?"

Outstanding videos can (after legal clearance) be showcased on open-house days, uploaded to the school website, or linked via QR codes on the school's "Storytelling Wall" for other students to explore.

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Reflection & Tips

Reflection

Was it difficult to condense a massive concept like "tolerance" into a single, brief scene?
How did the team manage different creative opinions when deciding on the storyline?

Tips for Implementation

Do not focus on Hollywood-level special effects; focus entirely on the core message.
Often, the simplest, funniest sketches are the ones that resonate deepest and stick with peers the longest.

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