Sometimes we fool ourselves into thinking that we need expensive equipment to make a good video. It's true that if you have expensive equipment your videos might be better but even if you had all of the equipment that you see in the image below you are still not guaranteed to make a good video.
Sometimes we fool ourselves into thinking that we need expensive equipment to make a good video. It's true that if you have expensive equipment your videos might be better but even if you had all of the equipment that you see in the image below you are still not guaranteed to make a good video.
Clearly the technology is necessary, but it's not about the technology. As long as you have something important to say or show, you can make a great video using only your phone or computer.
Clearly the technology is necessary, but it's not about the technology. As long as you have something important to say or show, you can make a great video using only your phone or computer.
Cell Phone Cinematography
Cell Phone Cinematography
The video cameras on cell phones are getting better and better and I'm guessing that most of you will be using your cell phone to make videos. You just need to remember a couple of things while filming with your phone. The video below provides a good summary.
The video cameras on cell phones are getting better and better and I'm guessing that most of you will be using your cell phone to make videos. You just need to remember a couple of things while filming with your phone. The video below provides a good summary.
Screencasting Tools and Webcams
Screencasting Tools and Webcams
Webcam Only
Webcam Only
Screen With Webcam
Screen With Webcam
Screen Only
Screen Only
When you are recording videos on your laptop you really have the three options highlighted above: 1. Webcam only, 2. screencast with webcam, and 3. screencast only.
When you are recording videos on your laptop you really have the three options highlighted above: 1. Webcam only, 2. screencast with webcam, and 3. screencast only.
There are lots of tools that allow you to create the three types of videos above. The ones I recommend exploring are Screencast-o-matic and Loom. You can explore each of their features, but I do want to quickly point out that Screencast-o-matic has a 15 min time limit for the videos you create. Loom provides their pro account to teachers and students for free and has fewer restrictions than Screencast-o-matic.
There are lots of tools that allow you to create the three types of videos above. The ones I recommend exploring are Screencast-o-matic and Loom. You can explore each of their features, but I do want to quickly point out that Screencast-o-matic has a 15 min time limit for the videos you create. Loom provides their pro account to teachers and students for free and has fewer restrictions than Screencast-o-matic.
Video Editors
Video Editors
There are several examples of edited videos on the Teach Your Children page. As you will also see on that page, edited videos allow you to add features to your video such as background music, narration, and titles. There are many different video editors.
There are several examples of edited videos on the Teach Your Children page. As you will also see on that page, edited videos allow you to add features to your video such as background music, narration, and titles. There are many different video editors.
iMovie is free and comes installed on every MacBook.
iMovie is free and comes installed on every MacBook.
MovieMaker used to come with Windows for PC but was discontinued in 2017. However, you can still find versions online.
MovieMaker used to come with Windows for PC but was discontinued in 2017. However, you can still find versions online.
There are other video editors with freemium accounts but rather than list them here, I recommend that you contact your school to see what they recommend using.
There are other video editors with freemium accounts but rather than list them here, I recommend that you contact your school to see what they recommend using.
Video Communication Tools
Video Communication Tools
There are an increasing number of tools specifically designed for communicating using video recordings. The following are three that were highlighted by Graham, Borup, Short, and Archambault (2019):
There are an increasing number of tools specifically designed for communicating using video recordings. The following are three that were highlighted by Graham, Borup, Short, and Archambault (2019):
VoiceThread can combine direct instruction with student comments. VoiceThreads are created by uploading images, PowerPoint sides, and/or videos to create a multimedia slideshow. Instructors and students can then post comments using text, audio, or video.
VoiceThread can combine direct instruction with student comments. VoiceThreads are created by uploading images, PowerPoint sides, and/or videos to create a multimedia slideshow. Instructors and students can then post comments using text, audio, or video.
Flipgrid is a Microsoft discussion tool that allows students and teachers to post and reply via webcam recordings. They also recently added the ability to create and share screen recordings.
Flipgrid is a Microsoft discussion tool that allows students and teachers to post and reply via webcam recordings. They also recently added the ability to create and share screen recordings.
Padlet acts like a digital cork board that allows students and teachers to post comments anywhere on the page for others to see and reply to. It also allows students and teachers to share photos, videos, audio recordings, or screen recordings.
Padlet acts like a digital cork board that allows students and teachers to post comments anywhere on the page for others to see and reply to. It also allows students and teachers to share photos, videos, audio recordings, or screen recordings.
EdConnect is the newest of the video communication tools and allows teachers to create groups and topics where students can post videos to discuss course topics. EdConnect also allows for webcam and screen recordings.
EdConnect is the newest of the video communication tools and allows teachers to create groups and topics where students can post videos to discuss course topics. EdConnect also allows for webcam and screen recordings.
Of the four tools above only Flipgrid and EdConnect are totally free but VoiceThread and Padlet have limited free accounts if your district doesn't already have an account.
Of the four tools above only Flipgrid and EdConnect are totally free but VoiceThread and Padlet have limited free accounts if your district doesn't already have an account.
