Editing and Post-Production

Overview

This 60-minute session develops Year 12 students’ digital media skills by focusing on video editing and post-production techniques. Using industry-standard software such as iMovie or Adobe Premiere Pro, learners will explore and apply editing tools to enhance raw footage creatively and technically. This lesson aligns with the National Curriculum for England’s Computing and Media related objectives, ensuring students build on their technical capability and digital creativity.

National Curriculum Links

Computing (KS5) – Digital Literacy & Creative Development

Develop understanding of advanced digital tools to create, edit, and refine digital content confidently.
Understand techniques for selecting, editing, and combining digital media to communicate messages effectively.

Media Studies (WJEC Eduqas specification as a guide to competency aims)

Demonstrate creative choices in media production, including editing, to construct meaning.
Analyse how post-production techniques influence audience interpretation and overall media product quality.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

Identify key editing and post-production techniques used in video projects (e.g., cutting, transitions, layering sound).
Apply practical editing skills using video editing software to modify a short video clip.
Understand and evaluate how editing choices influence narrative structure and mood.
Reflect on their editing decisions and propose further refinements based on peer feedback.

Resources

Computers with iMovie or Adobe Premiere Pro installed (1:1 student to device ratio)
Short video clips (provided, approx. 2-3 minutes each)
Projector and screen for demonstration
Headphones for individual work
Handout summarising editing terms and tools
Assessment rubric for peer review

Lesson Breakdown

Time	Activity	Details	National Curriculum Reference
0-10 mins	Starter: Video Editing Terms Quiz	Interactive quiz using mini whiteboards or digital polling apps. Terms covered: cut, fade, cross-dissolve, B-roll, colour grading, sound mixing. This hooks prior knowledge and introduces key concepts.	Computing KS5: Understand editing techniques.
10-20 mins	Demonstration: Editing Workflow and Tools	Teacher-led walkthrough of the software interface. Show techniques like trimming, splitting clips, adding transitions, audio adjustment, colour correction. Use a real example to demonstrate narrative impact.	Computing KS5: Use advanced digital tools.
20-45 mins	Practical Editing Task	Students work individually to edit provided raw footage. Tasks include cutting unnecessary parts, sequencing clips to tell a coherent story, applying at least two transitions, and enhancing audio (background music or voiceover). Circulate to assist and challenge students to experiment with creative effects.	Computing & Media KS5: Create and refine media; apply post-production techniques.
45-55 mins	Peer Review and Feedback	In pairs, students present their edited clips and discuss creative choices. Use the rubric to give constructive feedback focusing on narrative clarity, technical skill, and emotional impact. Encourage suggestions for improvement.	Media KS5: Analyse media products and refine through critique.
55-60 mins	Plenary and Reflection	Class discussion on: How does editing change the story? What post-production choices had the most impact? Set a ‘learning log’ entry for students to summarise their key takeaways and areas for growth.	Computing KS5: Reflect on digital work and development.

Differentiation

For more confident students: Encourage use of advanced features (keyframes, masks, layered effects). Challenge them to create smooth narrative pacing.
For learners needing support: Provide step-by-step handouts, one-on-one guidance, or allow pair editing for confidence building.
Use peer support strategically to scaffold learning.

Assessment

Formative:

Observation during editing and questioning in starter.
Peer feedback comments recorded on rubrics.

Summative:

Completed edited clip assessed against criteria: technical accuracy, creativity, narrative coherence, and use of post-production techniques.
Learning log reflection evaluated for understanding and self-assessment.

Extension Ideas

Set a homework task for students to collect and shoot their own short raw clips, to be edited in the next lesson.
Incorporate sound design with Foley effects or soundtrack layering for advanced digital media creation.
Analyse professional film scenes to deconstruct post-production techniques and replicate stylistic choices.

Teacher Notes

Ensure all students have login credentials and software installed ahead of time to maximise practical learning time.
Use the projector to demonstrate real-time edits, so abstract techniques become tangible.
Encourage experimentation with different editing styles to foster creativity and problem-solving skills aligned with digital literacy goals.
Frame the lesson within the wider context of storytelling and media audiences to deepen relevance.

This plan aims to inspire hands-on engagement with digital media editing while fully meeting the National Curriculum requirements for enabling students to confidently harness digital technologies and develop critical media skills.

Teaching Instructions