Using Video Production Tools in the Classroom

Rob Nyland, FacultyMultimedia Design & Production

Lake Washington Institute of Technologytwitter: @robnyland

http://rnyland.wikispaces.com/nwelearn2011

Goals

• Understand how video could be an important component of your curriculum

• Understand basic concepts of visual storytelling

• Choosing the right equipment• Tips for good production

How do you currently use video content?

Why Video?

• Our student are increasingly visual thinkers• Stories capture our attention• Creating videos is a critical thinking activity – Students need to select:• Visual Evidence• Interview Questions• Music to reinforce theme

Dental Video Example

What did students need to select?

What is the overall effect?

Storytelling

• Lambert: “Storytelling is the process through which we have solidified and constructed meaningful events.”

• Stories pass on information in a way that sticks!

• We need to leverage videos to help students create stories

3 Keys to Storytelling

• Purpose – What is the story that you are telling? – Who is your audience?

• Brevity– This is not your aunt’s story

• Structure– A Central Challenge– Narrative and Non-narrative

Ideas for Leveraging Story

• Investigation of particular topics– Interview people around campus who have dealt

with that issue• Personal Stories– Create a video essay about themselves

Visual Storytelling

Film Language is Learned

Narrative Sequencing

• Wide shots progressing to closer shots• Matched action – the invisible edit• Shot sequencing allows the condensing of

time

Non-Narrative Sequencing

• Interviews or Voice-over establish the main content

• B-roll is used to support the main argument• Makes a visual connection for the audience /

works to reinforce

Equipment

Cameras

Camera Options• Traditional Camcorders• Pocket Cams

– Flip– Kodak Zi-8

• DSLRs– Some of the best quality

available on the market– Canon EOS T2i or T3i are

currently the best valued

• Smart Phones

Camera Considerations• Avoid tape based cameras• Look for cameras with a

microphone port (red)

Tips for Professional Videos

• Move close to your subject – avoid zooming at all costs!

• Use a tripod when possible – avoid panning or tilting

• Think about where the interviewee is looking – there is a difference

• Look for good lighting

Sound

• Bad sound is the silent killer• Direct sound helps to keep us engaged with

the content• Tip: If you don’t have sound equipment, get

close• Sound Tools– Wired Lavalier Microphone: ATR-35S– Shotgun Microphone: Rode VideoMic

Editing Tools

Free Tools• Readily available at your

schools• Intuitive for the beginning

user

Examples• Windows Movie Maker• iMovie

Professional Tools• Give users more control

over the editing process• Require more training /

facilities

Examples• Adobe Premiere Pro• Final Cut Pro

Project Resources

• Worrying about copyright?• The creative commons search– Music– Photographs– Footage

• Other places to find free materials

Sharing your Content

• The importance of sharing• The best sites for sharing– http://www.youtube.com/Teachers– Vimeo– SchoolTube– BlipTV

Resources

• A resource created by a colleague:– http://www.storyguide.net/how-to

• Vimeo Video School• YouTube Teachers