How I Use It
ProjectEd challenges filmmakers of all ages to be creators. Their website offers a plethora of video creation challenges such as 'Word of the Day,' book review contests, and a Sci-Fi spotlight. Prizes exist and vary depending on the degree of the challenge. ProjectEd gives clear and helpful tips on how to produce videos and also has a growing Educators section. Teachers have access to lesson plans and ideas which appears to be budding as word spreads on ProjectEd. Many 'TedED' style videos could potentially turn into resources for flipped or blended classrooms. ProjectEd offers summer time challenges and would be the perfect activity to avoid the summer slump. Project Ed is unavailable for students under the age of 13 and also has specific information regarding copyright and property control of your video after you have uploaded. I don't see many classroom uses for ProjectEd (although it seems to be growing fast) however, I do find the contests perfect for challenging students outside of the classroom.
My Take
ProjectEd is perfect for enrichment and extension applications. It truly has potential to compete with 'TedEd' informational style videos. It's easy to register and explore contests. It's nice to see a tech project challenge students to be creators of technology instead of consumers. The website itself contains a blog and involves contests for filmmakers of all ages. I would proceed with caution in using this (or any product) without previewing what you are showing. I did not notice anything alarming as I explored the challenges but felt the all-ages appeal may lead to comments in threads that may be less than appealing for the classroom.
