acknowledgements

This research project was part funded by the Department for Education and Skills Best Practice Research Grant scheme and generous financial sponsorship and in-kind support from Hama and London Camera Exchange. Without the participation of these two commercial partners, the research work reported here would not have been possible. They lent each researcher a digital video camcorder and an Avio Casablanca editing system and funded administrative and mentoring support and the printing of this publication.

The idea grew from the Devon Cineliteracy Partnership. This was a collaboration between Devon LEA’s digital Media Education Centre (dMEC), the British Film Institute (BFI) and the then regional screen agency, South West Media Development Agency (SWMDA) to explore and progress ways in which moving image education could be encouraged in the secondary curriculum. The energy and enthusiasm of Cary Bazalgette (BFI) and Judith Higginbottom (SWMDA) did much to galvanise those of us who had the interest but needed the push to action.

The impetus for recruiting Devon researchers and the framing of the bid to the DfES came from Mark Reid, BFI Education. The contribution of his deft budget handling to the ability of the research to progress should not be underestimated.

Invaluable technical support and guidance was provided with patience and good humour by Adrian Boult of the Exeter branch of London Camera Exchange.

Hilary Radnor of Exeter University’s School of Education was the research mentor. Her ability to challenge and cajole us to think anew, to dare us to be tentative and to provide stimulating and informative research reading did much to give these reports their individual flavour.

And finally, we acknowledge our debt to all those students in the four schools who were prepared to act as a guinea pigs and have their every edit scrutinised.