I use video in my class a lot since most of my assessment is done through observation. I like to show the parents how the students perform in then school setting. It gives me the ability to allow parents to see certain tasks that I assess the children through observation or listening. In the beginning of the year, I have the children sing the alphabet and count as high as they can from memory. This helps me to build a solid base and gives me validation when I have parent conferences. Many parents find it hard to believe me when I inform them that their child can only count to 12. The statement, “At home they can count to 100!” is quickly dismissed once they witness the video themselves.
I use the free app "videditorfree" on my iPad to cut out background noise and unnecessary interactions and interruptions from the videos. It is simple to use and allows me to trim video to focus on what task I want the parent to see. The kids enjoy "performing" for the video, and since they can see themselves if I change the screen, it adds the extra element of enthusiasm. I find it to be invaluable when it comes to parent conferences and since it is only their own child on the video, there are no issues involving videotaping the children for others to see.
Permission was granted from the father of this child to show these videos.
This is priceless. As a parent, I would be thrilled to see my child saying his/her ABCs, and I would love to hurry home from the parent/teacher conference to tell them how happy I was to see them say their ABCs. In other words, it is good for you as a teacher to have this record, but it is wonderful for parents to be able to share in the learning process. At home, parents can be singing the ABCs together with their children. This is one of the greatest gifts technology can give teachers and parents as we work together for our children.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Katie, this is a great use of video! Aside from all of the aforementioned benefits to you and to the students, I also think it will help prepare them to be better speakers since they are already becoming aware of a lot of the conventions in order to be recorded now. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteKatie,
ReplyDeleteI never looked at it from the perspective of a parent (I will soon hopefully!) and never thought about how it helped the children to "perform" in public. It is a useful tool to learn and become comfortable with before they reach an age where they become even more self-conscious. Thanks for the input.
Cassandra
Cassandra,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Katie. It is really interesting that you can bring the educational environment to parents through your use of video. However, I am wondering about the boy in the video. He seemed preoccupied, as if he felt he somehow needed to entertain in front of the camera. When he was singing he was comfortable because that is a form of entertainment but when he was speaking his numbers he didn't know what to do with himself and it seemed that he left the frame of the camera not because he didn't know any more but because he didn't know how to make it entertaining. I wonder if this generation will some day get passed all the cameras recording them. What are your thoughts about an educational environment where this might some day be true?
It is interesting that you noticed that he wanted to entertain. It is one of the reasons I chose his video, because he is an entertainer! He will perform for anything and anyone, but not all the children react this way. Some do not like the video taping and some are eager to see themsleves. Each passing year I find that the students are more comfortable with cameras, so I do think evetually it will be second nature to the students to be video or tape recorded.
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent use of video in communicating with parents! As a parent, I'd definitely like to see such a video clip of my child in a parent-teacher conference so I know how he is doing in school.
ReplyDelete