This latest research report from the British Film Institute is 
      by Julian Sefton-Green and David Parker and can be found on the 
      BFI website at  http://www.bfi.org.uk/education/edit-play
      
      It describes a small-scale action research project which 
      observed primary school children's uses of 'edutainment' 
      software for telling or making stories. We commissioned the 
      report as a pilot study which could lead to mare extended 
      studies of children's creative work with moving images.
      
      The starting-point for the research was the recognition that 
      editing is the key creative act in the production of moving 
      image 'texts' such as films or television programmes; however, 
      the software available for this age-range supports animation and 
      composition rather than conventional editing.
      
      The report argues that existing edutainment software packages 
      aimed at children are severely limited in their creative 
      potential. Sefton-Green and Parker make a strong case for 
      simpler versions of non-linear editing software to be created 
      for school use (iMovie is nearly it, but not quite!). The report 
      also sets an agenda for further research which must be 
      undertaken if we are to make full use of the hardware and 
      broadband networks now being installed in schools.
      
      The BFI will be glad to receive comments and responses to the 
      report.
      
      Cary Bazalgette
      Head of Education Projects, BFI



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