Creating and Uploading Videos for Classes (Not a flipped classroom model)

• What types of videos do I create? (examples on the MisterStapleton channel on YouTube)

  • Sitting at a desk or table, working problems/explaining things with paper and pencil (problems, homework, practice tests)

  • Class notes -- pointed at the screen or front of the room

  • Screencasts showing my computer screen [free Screencastify Chrome Plug-in -- 10 minutes or less, Snagit (not free)]

  • Hand-held capture -- when I don't have a camera stand

  • Edited videos (I use Camtasia, which I purchased)

• What do you want to know?

• Suggestions / Things to remember

  • Don't strive for perfection. I don't usually edit, because it takes too long.

  • If you're transferring videos using a cable, make sure your camera settings are on "most compatible" [How to navigate there on my iphone:  Settings -- Camera -- Formats -- Most compatible]. 

• Benefits

  • I can hold students accountable, even when they don't come to class.  Whether or not kids choose to use it, it's there for them, so not having access is no longer an excuse.

  • Allows shy students to replay things I've said, without worrying about slowing down the class.

  • Gives the option of receiving instruction in a calm, quiet setting

  • Some processes and skills are much easier to show than to describe in words.

  • Archive information -- So far, all of the videos that I have ever uploaded (and not removed) are still there.  Sometimes I watch parts of my own old videos so that I can remember how I explained something.

  • Accessible by phone -- no computer required

• Negatives

  • As far as I know, there's no longer an easy way to insert notes in a video.  If I say something wrong, I have to either live with my misinformation going out to the world, explain my error in the description, or take down the video.

  • I suspect that some students pay less attention in class because they plan to watch the video -- especially if it's a test review.

  • Takes time; technology can be frustrating at times.

• Some helpful equipment:

• Phone with camera -- video format set to "most compatible." [regular .mov, instead of HEVC files]

• iPhone stand (monopod) that can point down at a desktop.  One option on Amazon.com

• External microphone -- my laptop microphone makes me sound like I'm in a barrel.

• Cable to connect phone to desktop.

• Fast internet -- the school's ethernet is amazinging fast for uploads.  For shorter videos, I sometimes upload directly from my phone.

• Software:

  • Screencastify Chrome extension -- for  short screencasts

  • Snagit -- longer screencasts

  • Camtasia -- edited videos

• Basic Demo

  • Make a quick video and upload it to YouTube.  Try both desktop and phone upload.

  • Create a screencast (might require monkeying around in the sound control panel).

• YouTube

  • Accounts

  • Desktop upload

  • Iphone upload