Speakers
Description
This study examined the second-year implementation of an international film festival as a learning space prioritizing learner empowerment through project-based learning. Participants were surveyed before and after the event using the Learner Empowerment Scale(LES). Results showed that viewing peer work, receiving external feedback from judges, and observing audience responses influenced how students perceived their creative work and its impact. We will also offer practical suggestions for bringing some of the festival-like elements into classrooms.
References
Frymier, A. B., Shulman, G. M., & Houser, M. (1996). The development of a learner empowerment measure. Communication education, 45(3), 181-199.
Herrero, C. (2016). The film in language teaching association (FILTA): A multilingual community of practice. Elt Journal, 70(2), 190-199.
Hsu, H. (2024). Evaluating the Impact of Video-Making Projects on English for Specific Purposes Learning: A Case Study. International Journal of Language and Education Research, 6(1), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.29329/ijler.2024.661.1
Pan, H.-L.W. (2023). Learner-Centered Teaching Catalyzed by Teacher Learning Communities: The Mediating Role of Teacher Self-Efficacy and Collaborative Professional Learning. Sustainability 2023, 15, 4850. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15064850
Weber, K., Martin, M. M., & Cayanus, J. L. (2005). Student interest: A two-study re-examination of the concept. Communication Quarterly, 53(1), 71-86.
Short summary
This study examined the second-year implementation of an international film festival as a learning space prioritizing learner empowerment through project-based learning. Participants were surveyed before and after the event using the Learner Empowerment Scale(LES). Results showed that viewing peer work, receiving external feedback from judges, and observing audience responses influenced how students perceived their creative work and its impact. We will also offer practical suggestions for bringing some of the festival-like elements into classrooms.
Keywords
learner empowerment,
project-based learning,
film
Abstract
This study examined the second iteration of a student-focused international film festival designed as a learning space prioritizing learner empowerment over teacher-led instruction. The festival’s success depends on students’ submissions, participation, and perceived learning outcomes. Participants are positioned not only as language learners but as filmmakers with multiple identities and overlapping experiences. Through project-based learning and authentic audience engagement, participants are linked by shared goals, fostering mutual understanding and communities of practice among students and collaborating teachers (Herrero, 2016; Hsu, 2024; Pan, 2023). Despite growing research on learner-produced films, empirical evidence remains limited on how learner-focused festival contexts support learner empowerment, competence development, and transferable showcasing practices in classroom settings. The researchers surveyed film festival participants about their experiences before and after the event. Empowerment was measured using the Learner Empowerment Scale (LES) (Frymier et al., 1996; Weber et al., 2005), which evaluated three dimensions: meaningfulness, competence, and impact. The results showed that viewing peer work, receiving external feedback and ratings from judges, and observing audience responses influenced participants’ perceptions of their own creative work and its potential impact on others. Although this showed only how students responded to the specific experience of a film festival, we will offer attendees suggestions and discussion based on student feedback focusing on how some characteristics of the event and community-building strategies could be implemented into other contexts for communicative and assessment such as engaging in inter-class exchanges, inviting external speakers and evaluators as part of the process, and encouraging community interaction using technology.
| Scheduling preference | Anytime on Saturday or Sunday |
|---|---|
| Title | Creating an empowering community of learners through a film festival |