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DIVO - Digital Interactive Video Online - is an exciting and innovative education concept, incorporating creativity and ICTs, which uses participant centred, creative digital video dialogue(s) to promote inter-cultural understanding and peer-led learning between remote groups who would otherwise never be able to meet.
Outline and overview
The DIVO project uses digital video to enrich online dialogue between remote groups. Groups of young people conceive, record and exchange short digital films based on common themes which are shared via a website. The films are viewed and the issues contained are discussed and explored on and offline and new films are created and shared in response. In this way, a digital video dialogue emerges which contains a genuine sense of mutual sharing and exchange.
DIVO can be used in a range of settings to promote and support dialogue in formal and informal educational contexts, including inter-cultural understanding in support of Key Stages 3 and 4. Learning how to use digital interactive video creatively is coupled with the development of teamwork and negotiation skills.
Mass media often promotes images and messages which are at odds with the environment and unrelated to the audience. The DIVO project puts media creation firmly in the hands of participants, offering them the opportunity to experiment in a playful and powerful way with a media force they are only likely to have experienced as consumers.
The DIVO project is committed to relocating remote and marginalised groups to the centre of the communication process and giving their voices a global platform.
 
Project motivations
DIVO takes the existing knowledge gap inherent between groups who are geographically remote from each other, and harnesses it as a powerful learning opportunity in a highly experiential and learner-centred way.
Participants benefit from the process by learning both practical and personal/social skills. The creative, technical process of filming requires teamwork, articulation, focus and critical reflection. Viewing films created by peers about common issues and hearing their unfiltered voices promotes greater understanding and tests pre-conceived notions about others. Participants increase their confidence in, and experience of, online communications while deepening their appreciation of global issues and diversity.
DIVO promotes key skills of communication, IT, working with others, improving own learning and performance and problem solving while also promoting cross-curricula themes of inclusion, citizenship and ICT in the curriculum. DIVO provides progressive, skills-based learning opportunities for participants, directly related to their attitudes, values and experience. While the project has obvious resonance with citizenship and ICT, DIVO is a perfect tool for many subjects across the curriculum as the methodology can easily be adapted to any specific area in which a comparison of remote situations is desirable.
 
Background
In 2004, the DIVO project successfully bought together two groups of girls: socially and economically marginalised young women from an Islamic community in Ghana and students from Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School for Girls in London, UK.
The project facilitated a cultural exchange based on gender issues faced by participants in the groups. By creating and responding to each others' films, participants enjoyed a rich experience of reflection and analysis. Dialogues formed through the process have continued to develop beyond the initial life of the pilot project.
The pilot phase was funded by the British Council, the British High Commission and the Guardian Newspaper Ltd.
A full evaluative report and 20-min project documentary are available. The project documentary has been recognised by selection in a number of international human rights film festivals and screens regularly on the Community Channel in the UK.
Technology
DV cameras with external mics, PCs and Macs with ability to trim, edit, compress and upload film clips, website to host clips, discussion and message exchange between participants.
Methodology
The power of DIVO comes from the combination of the creative application of technology with peer-led, participant-centred teaching techniques. As emphasis is as strongly placed on the process of generating media clips as on the media clips themselves, DIVO offers a rich multi-strand learning opportunity.
The activity that goes into creating a media product for an audience of peers is both an opportunity and motivation for learning. In order to create a dialogue, groups need to digest what they have viewed and examine this against their existing knowledge before proceeding to generate more media and develop their response. Because media generated is personally relevant and specifically created, it is more compelling for participants to engage with and reflect on. DIVO can operate as a multi-lateral dialogue between many groups and offers flexibility of access to audiences and freedom of timing.
Partners
The Guardian Newspaper
Along with pilot phase partner, the Guardian, we are now seeking to develop the project to the next stage as a piece of action-based research which locates DIVO as a cross-curricula tool for learning with Key Stages 3 and 4 and the FE curriculum. We believe the DIVO methodology can be used for subjects such as modern foreign languages, geography, history, English and religious education. Schools and sponsors interested in participating are invited to get in touch.
Links
www.divoproject.org
Contact
Kirsten Disse
Project Coordinator
info@divoproject.org
020 7503 7056
October 2005
Please note: this article is NOT covered by Futurelab's Open Access licence (see open access policy for further details).
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