Course

This section shows how participatory techniques can be used for community engagement when identifying, discussing and presenting community owned solutions. Techniques such as interviews, workshops, focus groups, and informal discussion can be used. Each of these techniques promotes active community participation and should enable wide community involvement in the identification of community owned solutions.

Click on the book icon below to visit the course section with the introduction to participatory techniques.

There are three main techniques used to engage people in a participatory visual way. These are: Participatory Drawing, Participatory Photography and Participatory Video. This section introduces these techniques and when to use them whilst the next module provides you more information on how to carry out Participatory Video.

Click on the book icon below to visit the course section on participatory visual techniques.

How does the participatory video process work?

• Participants learn how to use video equipment through games and exercises.
• Facilitators help groups to identify and analyse important issues in their community. 
• Short videos are directed and filmed by the participants.
• Films are screened to the wider community and to decision-makers.

2.3.1 What is the difference between participatory video and documentary filmmaking?

Documentary filmmaking shows the point of view of the filmmaker. The subjects of the film will not be involved in the way the filmmaker decides to represent them and their stories.

In contrast, in participatory video the subjects make their own films showing how to be represented and what it important to tell in their stories.

Watch the video tutorial and then complete the quiz.

2.3.2 Facilitation and Ethics in Participatory Video

Click on the book icon below to visit the course section on the role of the facilitator in participatory video and associated ethical considerations.

2.3.3 Basic equipment kit for participatory video projects

To run a Participatory Video project, you don't need to have expensive equipment. With a basic kit you can still produce good quality videos.

Watch the video tutorial below and then complete the quiz.

2.3.4 Shooting Video for Participatory Video

Click on the book icon below to visit the course section on capturing video and sound for participatory video projects.

2.3.5 Framing and Lighting your Video

Click on the book icon below to visit the course section on framing and lighting your videos.

2.3.6 Planning your video

Click on the book icon below to visit the course section on how to plan your participatory video including creating a storyboard, conducting video interviews, and writing script and dialogue

2.3.7 Editing

Watch the video tutorial and then complete the quiz.

2.3.8 The importance of sharing in participatory video projects

Watch the video tutorial, read the text and then complete the quiz.

One of the most important elements of participatory video is to work collaboratively and share ideas with others. You might do that in person or work remotely, for example with partners that live in different countries.

This will result in 3 main problems to solve:

1. How to send big size video files
   
2. How to backup and access your video file when travelling
3. How to work on shared documents with your partners

WeTransfer is a simple way to send your files around the world and share lage files up to 2GB for free. You just need to have an internet connection and go to www.wetransfer.com, then type your e-mail address and the recipient's email address, write a text message, attach the file and send it.
Another solution to solve all 3 problems in one goal is to use a Cloud storage space. Cloud storage spaces are servers that are accessed over the Internet.
Google Drive is a good example.

Here are some of Google Drive's key features:

• Storing files: By default, Google gives you 15 GB of free storage space across Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos.

• Sharing files: Files are private until you share them. But at any time, you can invite others to view, edit, or download files and documents by sending them an email invitation.

• Accessing files from anywhere: Files can be accessed from any smartphone, tablet or computer. Offline access is also available.

• Secure storage: Drive files are protected by an AES256 or AES128 encryption , the same security protocol used on other Google services.

Remember, if you need more space, you can upgrade both WeTransfer and Google Drive by paying a reasonable price on a monthly or yearly basis.

This Unit will have given you an overview of many different participatory tools and methods that can be used for community engagement. Having a good understanding of their different uses and purposes is important to be able to decide what's most appropriate in a given situation. Using those methods and being aware of the underlying and fundamental considerations and ethical issues can help to ensure your community engagement is fun, ethical and effective. 

Graphics for Unit 2 were produced by the Cobra Collective.