Case Study: Multimedia DVD for BC High Schools
The Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation (CMSF) wanted to create an interactive resource to help students better understand their educational options after high school, and to begin to think about funding their education.
CMSF partnered with the British Columbia (BC) Ministry of Advanced Education to fund the project. The BC Ministry of Education was brought on to support and advise on curriculum and implementation issues. Following extensive quantitative and qualitative research on youth perceptions, particularly the perceived barriers and costs of higher education, Academica Group conceptualized an interactive DVD, website and curriculum tools to complement the province's "Planning 10" curriculum for grade 10 students.
Academica Group talked directly to BC teachers, students and parents to hear their thoughts about higher education and the Planning 10 course.
It was clear that students wanted the plain, unvarnished truth – straight from peers just a few years older than themselves. We identified the questions that concerned them the most, and the most frequent misconceptions about higher education, and sent a camera crew onto BC campuses to gather footage.
Supported by a comprehensive curriculum guide, the interactive Perspectives DVD allows students or teachers to select video clips from a series of students answering the same questions, or watch a student answer a series of questions. Many of the students spontaneously offered valuable advice to keep all options open, seek out scholarship and bursary information, and to view higher education as a valuable investment, rather than a financial expense.
In January 2007, the DVD was widely distributed to BC teachers as a free resource. The Perspectives DVD features interviews with post-secondary students and recent graduates, discussing educational pathways, funding options, and social life after high school. A companion website offers supplemental resources for students, curriculum tools for teachers, and a feedback mechanism for teacher opinion. Visit the companion website at www.bc-perspectives.ca »
Academica Group, CMSF and the BC MInistry of Advanced Education received an IABC Virtuoso Award of Merit for this project.
"By providing students with a learning resource tool that speaks directly to them about the realities of post-secondary education, we will help BC reach its goals of being the best educated and most literate jurisdiction on the continent."
- Murray Coell, Minister, BC Ministry of Advanced Education