The newest version of Camtasia allows for a music backing track. So far I've used this feature on all my videos I've made so far here in Oregon. I think it adds to the flow of the video and provides a nice "bed" of sound besides my voice. Hopefully it doesn't distract the viewer too much.
In the older version I used in Edgerton (2.1?) there was no backing track available. However I had the idea to add music as some of my longer videos just seemed so boring. I went totally low tech and just played a boombox in the background. The sound quality wasn't so hot. With the new version you can control volume relative to your voice, and in general have much more control over the whole process.
I've had students say they like the music, others say not so much. It would be cool to have the viewer be able to control the music with an on/off button or something.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
How to Use Delicious
"How to Use Video Tutorials" Video Tutorial
I made a short video on "How to Use Video Tutorials" so my students can learn how to get the most out of this teaching method.
This reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer writes a coffee table book about coffee tables!
In this video I emphasize my Watch, Pause, Do method so they can follow along with the video step by step and do the project. In the past, I've had some students not understand this - they'll sit and watch the whole video at once like it's a TV show or something. That's not the way to go as they can't remember all the steps that way. Here's the video:
How to Use Video Tutorials
(Edit Feb. 2009 - I deleted this video due to my commitment to create several short vids instead of one longer vid...see more recent posts for more info)
This reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer writes a coffee table book about coffee tables!
In this video I emphasize my Watch, Pause, Do method so they can follow along with the video step by step and do the project. In the past, I've had some students not understand this - they'll sit and watch the whole video at once like it's a TV show or something. That's not the way to go as they can't remember all the steps that way. Here's the video:
How to Use Video Tutorials
(Edit Feb. 2009 - I deleted this video due to my commitment to create several short vids instead of one longer vid...see more recent posts for more info)
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Any downsides to teaching this way?
Well, yes I suppose there are. First of all, you do have to invest time in learning the software. Thankfully there are lots of (what else would they use to teach their product!?!) video tutorials on how to use Camtasia.
Second, it definitely takes time to make these videos. I've put in many hours making them, and redoing sections if I forgot something. Recording yourself talking and clicking on things sounds easy, but it's easy to mix up your words or "talk yourself into a corner" when recording. I've had to do many retakes of certain sections. Perhaps it might be easier to script out what you're going to say?
Third, you have to have a place on the web to host the videos. Luckily Oregon School District has a web server, so I just upload the videos there. The video files can get large, so you have to have the server space. Techsmith (the Camtasia company) has a spot on the web - Screencast.com - where you can upload your videos, there's a free signup and a "pro" level that costs a bit to join.
Second, it definitely takes time to make these videos. I've put in many hours making them, and redoing sections if I forgot something. Recording yourself talking and clicking on things sounds easy, but it's easy to mix up your words or "talk yourself into a corner" when recording. I've had to do many retakes of certain sections. Perhaps it might be easier to script out what you're going to say?
Third, you have to have a place on the web to host the videos. Luckily Oregon School District has a web server, so I just upload the videos there. The video files can get large, so you have to have the server space. Techsmith (the Camtasia company) has a spot on the web - Screencast.com - where you can upload your videos, there's a free signup and a "pro" level that costs a bit to join.
One more thing - once you make these videos and something changes "out there" be it software being updated or a website changing it's design or functionality...your video is now out of date and not useful. Of course the same could be said for detailed directions in paper format, those can get outdated as well.
What about Macs?
Last year I was at another district that uses Macs exclusively. Unfortunately Camtasia isn't Mac compatible (yet?). I found a product that did screen recording in a Mac environment - Snapz Pro. I had some success with it, creating a lesson on GarageBand for 6th graders. One thing I really missed with Snapz compared to Camtasia is the ability to create a clickable menu that allows you to chunk the video into separate sections. Perhaps they'll add that feature at some point. Other than that it worked pretty well.
Two other benefits to video tutorials
I thought of two other benefits worth mentioning:
1. If students are absent, they don't miss any instruction. They can pick up right where they left off.
2. If students need to work from home, the lessons are available via the web, so they can revisit the lesson anytime from anywhere.
1. If students are absent, they don't miss any instruction. They can pick up right where they left off.
2. If students need to work from home, the lessons are available via the web, so they can revisit the lesson anytime from anywhere.
What lessons work well with Camtasia?
I've had the best success using Camtasia for projects in the computer lab, especially projects that have multiple steps to remember. At Edgerton Middle School, I used Camtasia for lessons involving Adobe PhotoShop and Microsoft FrontPage for 8th grade students. I'll see if I still have these files so I can post them if possible.
The PhotoShop lesson involved making a slide show set to music on the topic of pollution. Students put text on the images, either to describe the image or to match the song lyrics (the song choices were all related to pollution of the earth). The FrontPage lesson was about (what else) making a webpage.
In both cases, there were many steps for the students to follow, and these were both multiple day projects in the lab.
I've tried making paper handouts for these types of lessons, as well as using an LCD projector to show all the steps and keep everyone "together". While both of these methods work, there can be problems.
Middle school students don't really like reading directions on paper, they like to be shown what to do. I spent hours making detailed direction sheets, with screenshots, arrows, text boxes, etc. Sometimes it's difficult to put directions into words. Needless to say it's frustrating to put in the time to make written directions and then have the students not wanting to use them.
Having them follow along with me via the LCD projector has its issues as well. Not all students are paying attention, leading to some getting many clicks behind. There are hands in the air from students that miss something. Repeating directions on the LCD screen leads to bored students that "got it" the first time.
Making video tutorials helped both of these issues. Students were able to "watch" me do things. They could learn at their own speed, and rewind the video to see certain parts again if needed. They were also very focused on their work as they had headphones on, listening and following along to the video.
The PhotoShop lesson involved making a slide show set to music on the topic of pollution. Students put text on the images, either to describe the image or to match the song lyrics (the song choices were all related to pollution of the earth). The FrontPage lesson was about (what else) making a webpage.
In both cases, there were many steps for the students to follow, and these were both multiple day projects in the lab.
I've tried making paper handouts for these types of lessons, as well as using an LCD projector to show all the steps and keep everyone "together". While both of these methods work, there can be problems.
Middle school students don't really like reading directions on paper, they like to be shown what to do. I spent hours making detailed direction sheets, with screenshots, arrows, text boxes, etc. Sometimes it's difficult to put directions into words. Needless to say it's frustrating to put in the time to make written directions and then have the students not wanting to use them.
Having them follow along with me via the LCD projector has its issues as well. Not all students are paying attention, leading to some getting many clicks behind. There are hands in the air from students that miss something. Repeating directions on the LCD screen leads to bored students that "got it" the first time.
Making video tutorials helped both of these issues. Students were able to "watch" me do things. They could learn at their own speed, and rewind the video to see certain parts again if needed. They were also very focused on their work as they had headphones on, listening and following along to the video.
Teaching With Camtasia
I'm Kevin Schmitz, Library Media Specialist at Oregon Middle School in Oregon, WI. I thought I'd start a blog to detail my experiences working with Camtasia software as a teaching tool to make video tutorials.
Around 2003 or so (?) I started using Camtasia at Edgerton Middle School. That was version 2, now that I'm at Oregon Middle School I'm using verson 5.1 and loving it. I'll be posting projects I've done as well as things I'm learning as I go.
Here's a link to my Library Homepage, made using Google Sites. Here's the Video Tutorial Page.
Around 2003 or so (?) I started using Camtasia at Edgerton Middle School. That was version 2, now that I'm at Oregon Middle School I'm using verson 5.1 and loving it. I'll be posting projects I've done as well as things I'm learning as I go.
Here's a link to my Library Homepage, made using Google Sites. Here's the Video Tutorial Page.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
