Journal #7

“Get the Picture with Video Capture”
By Elizabeth B. Davis

Summary of article:
Elizabeth Davis, an educator of technology, records herself on video to give student assignment directions and examples. Davis notes, “Giving instructions through video takes advantage of the ways students are accessing information at home and brings it into the classroom.” Video recording instructions eliminates repetition and ensures all aspects of an assignment are included everytime. Students viewing the instructions are still not immune to zoning out. To encourage students to listen carefully to the entire video, Davis includes a task to complete near the end of the video of extra credit. In addition, students may lose points if they ask a question clearly noted. Although creating videos takes some time, students become engaged and generally follow the instructions very well.

Questions:
I. Where can I go to create a video?
Davis thanks Snapz Pro, available at http://www.ambroasiasw.com/utilities/snapzpro/, video capture software. To learn how to create a video there are technical instructional videos on the Web. At http://www.atomiclearning.com you can watch video instructions on how to use Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, etc. In addition, the Mac program iMovie is very user friendly and includes tools that aid in tedious editing.

II. I’m not a technology teacher, how could this help me in my classroom?
No matter what subject you teach, creating a video can help your class. If a student is sick and misses school, they will be able to download the class video and receive the same amount of quality instruction. Or better yet, if a teacher is ill or knows of an upcoming absence a video lecture can be shown by the substitute. Outside of the classroom, a teacher can record a personal message regarding a student for his/her parents or guardians to view. This educational tool is only limited to one’s imagination.