Show DON'T Tell - Video Production for the Classroom #R10Tech Session Notes

Here are the notes from my session at #edcampdallas on uses for video production in the classroom.

But I can't afford a camera!

Do you have an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Android device? If so you already have a camera. You have an HD camera if you have a recent iPod touch, anything newer than iPhone 4, iPad 2, and most Android devices. If you feel you want to purchase a camera, there are a number of options...

• Pocket Camcorder - We started with a simple Flip camera and moved to the Kodak Zi8. Sadly neither is made anymore but you can still find them around. Shop around for pocket camcorders and read reviews. With cell phones and such the pocket camcorder market has all but died. You can get an iPod touch for the same price as a pocket camcorder these days. Look for something with external mic input as most of time the audio quality leaves a lot to be desired.
• Consumer Camcorder - We moved up to a full camcorder last year. We use the Canon Vixia HF R21 and LOVE it! I picked this camera because it records to SD cards and there is no need to worry about tape. It also has an input for external mics which is important for our productions. This is not a required feature by any means, but better audio goes a long way.
• Cell phone/iPod - Again, almost any cell phone these days has a camera and most have gone HD. Don't reinvent the wheel if you don't need to.

But how do I get the video off the camera?!

If you buy a camera it will most likely come with software to import the video. If you shoot to SD cards, just pop the card into any card reader and you should be able to pull the video off. If you have a mobile device such as a smart phone or iPod/iPad it is much easier; all you need is Dropbox. When you install the Dropbox app on your device, it will give you the ability to export your video to your Dropbox. The most recent version has automated this process (if you chose that option). You can set Dropbox to automatically upload any video taken on your device. You can then access the video via the Dropbox web interface OR  it will automatically sync if you have the desktop client installed. Similarly, Google Drive will allow recording directly from their app. The video will save to your Google Drive and can be synced with the desktop application as well.

I don't know anything about editing video!

You don't have to. You can make a simple video with no editing required. Just shoot it. It does not have to look like The Avengers as long as the message is conveyed.

But I want to edit my video! 

Awesome! There are a number of options available. If you are a Windows user you can simply use Windows Movie Maker. If you are on a Mac you can use iMovie. Both are simple, free video editing programs for basic videos. If you are feeling more ambitious, there are several editing programs out there...

• iMovie for iOS - If you are shooting with an iDevice there is a mobile version of iMovie availble in the app store. Users familiar with the Mac version will feel right at home. The mobile version provides templates and presets for quick editing and exporting. Cost: $4.99
• Adobe Premiere Elements - I use this program and LOVE it. It has the simplicity of Movie Maker or iMovie with the potential and flexibility to produce high-quality videos. Mac and Windows. Cost: less than $100
• Adobe Visual Communicator - This software streamlines the process of video production, especially for green screen work. It works on a "live-to-tape" concept where in you shoot the video and no editing is needed. This software includes a telepromoter function, live intros, live transitions, and live green screen effects.
• Pinnacle Studio -  I have used older versions of Pinnacle and it comes highly recommended. There is also an iPad version for iPad 2 or later that allows for exporting to the desktop version for continued editing. Windows only. Cost: $60-$130 MSRP depending on version
• Sony Vegas Family - Sony has a line of video editing software that ranges from basic editing to professional quality. I personally cannot speak to the quality of this product but it is well-reviewed and is the preferred software of several video production colleagues. Windows only. Cost: $50-$500 MSRP depending on version

But how can I use this in my class/at school?

If you have decided you want to make videos for you classroom, here are just a few examples what you can do...

• Daily announcements - This is what started it all for my school. We produce a daily announcement program with the pledges, moment of silence, important information, lunch menus, and birthdays.
• Record presentations - Your students work so hard on those posters, dioramas, speeches, etc. Why not video their presentation for posterity?
• Connect with parents - Share the above video with parents. They can't be there for the presentation but you can share the video with them so they can see the hard work their student did.
• Replace the poster/diorama - Why have the students spend time and money making something that will most likely get thrown away? Have your students create a video presentation instead. They could act out a skit, collect footage to go along with a speech/presentation, or demonstrate a concept. When they are done you and they have a tangible record of their work.
• Assist other students - Have your higher students create how-to videos for the lower students or perhaps for those who are absent. Having these available can free you up for one-on-one help. You could also create videos for lower grade levels. I have seen high school students make videos for kinder or 1st students to teach reading and math.
• Record of progress - At the beginning of the year make a short video demonstrating the skills of the students. At the end of the year make another. The students can now SEE how much progress they made over the course of the year. This can also be useful to document for an ARD and to pass along to their teacher the next year.
• Record a lesson - Set a camera up at the back of the room when you are teaching a lesson or giving a lecture. This creates a great resource if you need to be out.
• Flipped Classroom - While you are at it, since you are recording lessons, use this opportunity to create resources for a flipped classroom.
• Anything you can think of - This is just a small sample of the MANY ways video production can help you

So, I made a video. Now what?

Once you have made the video, what you do with it is really up to you. You can make an archive, share it with parents/staff, or even upload to YouTube or TeacherTube/SchoolTube. I will suggest that if you decided to upload your video make sure you have ample permission from your students' parents. This is slightly more than the usual release for pictures in the paper or yearbook. I use a separate release form for students' work/likeness to be posted to the internet. I also remind the parents every time something is getting uploaded to make sure it is still okay.

Resources 

Below is a list of resources for your videos. Theses sites contain stock footage, music, tips, etc. Most are under Creative Commons and/or are fair use for education.

• Music
• http://freeplaymusic.com/ - This is a great resource for royalty-free music
• Video
• http://www.ignitemotion.com/ - Free Motion Backgrounds (HD)
• http://www.movietools.info/free-web-resources.html - various video elements including Background Loops and Lower Thirds. Some free, some pay. 
• http://thecliparchive.com/ - Collection of links to free video clips. Some are stock footage, others are backgrounds and such.
• http://www.videoediv.net/vj-loop/ - Free SD stock footage
• http://www.stockfootageforfree.com/table/stock-footage/ - "Free" stock footage. There are a few gems here. I only include it because I have found some useful things.
• https://www.videoblocks.com/ - subscription service for video, music, sound effects, and other video elements. Offers 7 day free trial. Unlimited access with paid subscription. Pricey but can be worth it. Or just spend that 7 days downloading everything you can ;)
• http://www.pond5.com/ - Pay site for video elements. I purchased the animated flags used for our announcements from this site.
• http://videohive.net/ - Pay site for video elements. Most are After Effects files. I have purchased the last two intro videos from them.

These are just the sites that I use regularly. There are any number of sites available, just Google it. I also use videos from YouTube. YouTube Downloader is a great program for downloading and converting YouTube videos.

Conclusion

I really hope this helps. I was so blown away by the response to the session and I hope you all get something out of this. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. I am on Twitter @chrisevans17 or you can email me chrisevans17@gmail.com I have a collection of sample videos available for download if you would like to see some of the work we have done. If you would like that link, please message me on Twitter or email me and I will send you the download link. Be warned, it is about 500mb so it might take some time to download.

In Defense of Android (Part the 2nd)

Previously, on Geek in the Heart of Texas... My EVO crashed and I had decided to try out a custom mod. Around this same time I was given a tablet to test drive...

So I had been researching custom Android mods for a while and had come to the conclusion that CyanogenMod was the way to go. I read up on how to flash the rom and was ready. Using Revolutionary, I rooted my phone and flashed CyanogenMod 7 (CM7). It was like I had a brand new phone. I was amazed at how much better CM7 was than the stock HTC Sense UI. I found no issues with apps or anything. It made me love Android that much more. I have played around with jail breaking and iPhone and was not really impressed. This is so much better.

Around this same time I was given a Viewsonic GTab to play around with as a potential gift for my grandfather. The stock rom and UI is TERRIBLE. Five minutes after using it I went searching for a new mod. I decided to go with CM7 as well. Now it is a bit buggy being a tablet and a custom mod, but it works beautifully. I have used my iPad less and less since getting this tablet. If I can figure out how to load my eboks on it, I may not have much more use for my iPad. I would love to get my hands on a proper Android tablet, but this one it pretty slick.

Overall, my experience has been wonderful. My biggest obstacle was how to get out of Android what I was getting out of iOS. Below is a list of things I needed my Android to do that my iPhone/iPad did and how it solved it. Many times the solution works better on Android...

Sync Contacts, Calendars, Email, etc.: I use Gmail and Google Calendar. With my iPhone it was hard to keep my Gmail contacts clean because my Amy (my iMac) always wanted seemed to duplicate entries. I used iCal and had the same results. Android syncs to the cloud seamlessly and I have no problems with duplicate entries.

Sync Music: iTunes does not sync with Android well, and OSX even less. I use Amazon Cloud and Google Music. Prefer Google Music.

Apps: on this, they are about even. Although I do like that I can buy and app from Amazon from anywhere and download it later. Such as at work where I do not have wifi or a good signal. I can buy an app on Amazon and download it when I get home. I no longer have to wait until I have a signal or get back to Amy to buy apps. I can buy it right then and don't have to worry about forgetting.

eBooks: I still use my iPad for iBooks. I have a really good reader on my GTab, but I am still struggling with adding content. iOS wins that round.

Storage: I CAN UPGRADE MY STORAGE! I recently bought a 32GB card for my phone. With iPhone you must decide at that moment what storage space you want and hope its enough. Also, I can take the card out and load it as an external drive to manage files if I need to.

Podcasts: Recently, as in this week, I have found a podcast aggrigator that will download my podcasts directly to my phone so I do not have to carry around a separate device for my podcasts. This can be done in iOS as I understand it, but this keeps me from having to carry more than one device.

In closing, I love iOS. I loved my iPhone. I love my iPad. Android serves my purposes better. Hopefully if you are on the fence about whether to go iOS or Android, this helped a little. Now that the iPhone is on Sprint, I have been asked several times if I am going to go back to an iPhone when my upgrade comes around. No, I am not. Android works for me and I can't see myself going back to iOS for my phone.

In Defense of Android (Part 1)...

Let me start by saying that I am a Mac guy. I love Macs. I only use Windows at work and when I MUST at home (usually for work-related stuff). I have had many different iPods. Personally the 4th Generation iPod Nano is the best iPod ever. Currently I have a MacBook Pro (Suzie), an iMac (Amy) (best desktop machine I have ever owned), and an old G4 (Suzanne) I just can't bare to part with. I also have (between my wife and I) 2 iPads, 2 iPod Nanos, and an iPod Touch. I think iOS is a great operating system and it does what it does VERY well. There are some amazing apps, I loved my iPhone 3gs dearly, and I think the 4gs is an awesome device. I said all of that to say this...

I LOVE ANDROID! When my wife and I got married in March of 2011 I had to leave AT&T and go to Sprint. This was hard. Not that I was heartbroken to leave AT&T, though I do love having no frakking service. Ever. The hard part was I was giving up my iPhone (Gwen) (yes, all my Apples have names). I was crushed. I was saying goodbye to my beloved Gwen. I had anxiously awaited my upgrade so I could get an iPhone 4, and now I was having to walk away. I had been interested in Android for a bit and knew I wanted to get an Android phone. I did some research and my buddy @ErikH1981 suggested I get an EVO 4G. So I went to Best Buy and got my EVO. It was fun, but I still missed my iPhone. I began to explore the ins and outs of Android and became increasingly impressed with what it could do. Mainly I was impressed with how seamlessly everything integrated. I use just about every Google service available and Android being a Google OS worked out perfectly for me. My Gmail, Calendar, Tasks, and everything were there and worked out of the box. I had several issues getting everything to sync with my iPhone. I still carried Gwen around with me as an iPod Touch because I just could not cut the cord. I noticed I was using it less and less. I realized I had moved on when I went to check on something and I had let the battery run completely down. I was now an Android user.

About six months in to my Android experience, the unthinkable happened... my EVO crashed. I thought I had lost everything because I had never synced my EVO*. So I did a full system restore back to factory and prayed. I had all my data back and was able to re-download my apps from the Market**. I was amazed. The "cloud" sync worked wonderfully (much better than I have since seen with iCloud). Many months later, I had another crash and was not worried since the last crash recovered so well. Since I was going to have to go back to factory and "start over" anyway I took this opportunity to do what I had been considering doing for awhile: install a custom mod.

That's it for Part 1. Part 2 will cover my experience with an Android tablet, Cyanogen Mod, and where my Android voyage is headed next. \m/



*what I found to be a downside at first was lack of native sync with Mac for Android, or any phone that does not start with i.

**I greatly prefer to Amazon Apps Store over the Android Market