Breaking Away From the BlackboardUsing Video in the Classroom

What is Video?

▪ Electronic medium that can be stored and viewed on various electronic devices.

▪ Used for the recording, copying and broadcasting of moving visual images

▪ Typically stored as files with extensions such as– .wmv– .mp4

Why use video?

▪ Improved learning and study habits

▪ Positive student attitudes toward learning

▪ Increased learning performance

▪ Main reason:– Student control over when and where they learn– Student control over the pace of learning– Student control over what they need to learn

(Kay & Edwards, 2012)

What does it look like?

A screen shot of a video, Schoolhouse Rock talking about the Electoral College, that is hosted on YouTube.

Note the pause button on the left ( || ) that gives the student the ability to control the pacing of the content.

(Electoral college kids civics lesson cartoon - Schoolhouse Rock, 2011)

Do you always have to make the videos?

▪ No. There are a lot of sites that already contain videos that may help your student’s learning– YouTube– MonkeySee– SchoolTube– TeacherTube

▪ When using videos created elsewhere:– Ensure that you have the rights to use it in class– Ensure that you have reviewed video for correctness and

appropriateness

Can you make your own?

▪ Yes! And it doesn’t have to be hard or expensive.

▪ What kind of camera do you need?– $20K 3-dimensional camera – $400 digital video camera– $30 webcam– None…

(Pictures from Amazon.com)

Videos without using a camera

▪ It is relatively simple to create a video based off a presentation and a narration

▪ PowerPoint or other presentation with recording software– Record narration as the presentation proceeds– Only costs your time– Can be uploaded and stored online for access by students

outside of school

▪ Software combinations include– Microsoft PowerPoint and TechSmith Jing (Jing, n.d.)– Microsoft PowerPoint and ProfCast (Presentation software, n.d.)

What do you need to do?

▪ Create a presentation that contains the necessary content– Remember whitespace– Ensure that the content flows well– Include imagery that supports the content

▪ Create the narration– Write down what you want to say for each slide– Ensure the narration and slide content match– Mark the end of each section of content so you know

when to go to the next slide

▪ Practice!

Before creating your final recording

▪ Review the documentation on the recording tools to ensure you know how to work it

▪ Once you are comfortable with the flow and speed of the presentation, practice recording it.

▪ Many of the free tools have a limit on the length of recording (typically 5 minutes)

▪ Don’t be afraid to do it multiple times, it is rare that the first time you record that it goes perfectly.

Record the final video

▪ Complete the recording process

▪ Review the video to ensure:– Pacing is correct– There is ample time to read the screen when it contains text– The title and reference pages (if present) are readable as well

▪ If the recording does not seem right, feel free to do it again!

▪ At some point there is a point where it is “good enough.” Don’t require perfection, that could lead to frustration.

Publish the finished product

▪ Ensure that there are appropriate pre and post-viewing supportive learning and planned discussions

▪ Upload the finished video– Each recording software likely has a free preferred publishing site– Host the video on a school-hosted system– Upload to a free site such as SchoolTube, TeacherTube, or

YouTube

▪ Publicize the Url

Reassess after completion of unit

▪ Validate that the objectives are met by reviewing the results of any assessments that measured the video content.

▪ Note any gaps between objectives and results– Can be solved with enhancing and redoing video– Can be managed with pre or post video assignments and/or

discussions

▪ Document the experience.– Support for you next time you use the video– For advice if sharing the video with other teachers

Conclusion

▪ Videos give students an opportunity to control their own learning, thus giving them more engagement and positive learning outcomes

▪ Already created videos can be found online

▪ Teachers can create their own videos and provide them to the students

References

▪ Electoral college kids civics lesson cartoon - Schoolhouse Rock. (2011, Dec 06). Retrieved Dec 07, 2013, from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFJ2e82Nvnw

▪ Jing. (n.d.). Retrieved Dec 07, 2013, from TechSmith: http://www.techsmith.com/jing.html

▪ Kay, R., & Edwards, J. (2012). Examining the Use of Worked example video podcasts in middle school mathematics classrooms: A formative analysis. Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology, 38(3).

▪ Lever-Duffy, J., & McDonald, J. B. (2011). Teaching and learning with technology. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

▪ Presentation Software. (n.d.). Retrieved Dec 08, 2013, from ProfCast: http://www.profcast.com/public/index.php