Thing 5: Caught on Video
I really enjoyed reading quite a few blog posts from Google Reader. One post in particular caught my eye. I have been thinking a lot about incorporating digital portfolios into my classroom, and I had also recently heard about the Flip video camera. I was so excited to see the blog post Caught on Video by Bob Sprankle.
Bob talks about the ease with which students and teachers can use the Flip digital video camera. The small, portable camera can be used by students to document their learning, record fieldtrips, and make their own educational movies. From what I understand, the camera has all of the editing software inside of it. You simply connect it to your computer and start editing!
Bob outlined many of the ideas that I have been considering, but he also came up with some ideas I hadn’t considered. Because I am eager to start creating digital portfolios with my students, I loved the idea of videotaping writing conferences, math explorations, and my students’ project presentations. Showing parents a digital presentation at conferences would give them incredible insight into the world of third grade and their child’s progress. Bob’s idea of filming each child on the first day of school is a fantastic one! What a great way to learn about each student! He also mentions providing each student with a math challenge and documenting the process of solving the problem.
I get so excited when I think about all of the ways my students could use a tool, such as the Flip video camera, and I am thrilled to think about how I could use it as well. I agree with Bob when he says that this provides another important assessment tool. This technology would encourage students to articulate their learning, and metacognition is something I’m always promoting in my classroom.
Bob’s post got me so excited about something that I have put on the back burner for a while. Digital portfolios are an important endeavor, and I plan to focus on how to create and use them within my classroom. In addition, I am thinking of investing in a digital video camera like the Flip camera. I think that it would enhance my students’ learning in so many ways.
K12 Learning 2.0 | Comments (6)6 Responses to “Thing 5: Caught on Video”
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I think that video would be a great way to enhance a digital portfolio. I think the students should have a say in what goes into the portfolio and maybe video their reflections about what they have learned. I haven’t seen that blog…maybe I will go back and read.
I saw a flip camera at a friend’s house last weekend. Her husband was filming their newborn baby. It’s an awesome little toy! It takes away the need for lots of different tools to create video in the classroom. I think the camera has 2gb of memory, if I remember correctly. It’s probably just the first of these new little gadgets! Exciting stuff!
tech4me,
Thanks for your comment! I love the idea of transforming my portfolio binders into electronic portfolios. I agree that the children should take ownership of their portfolios and choose their artifacts. I love your idea about using the video camera to capture their reflections about their work! Now, I’m even more excited about this!
techbabble,
Hi! Thanks for your comment. I love all of the great tools that are available now. I would love to get a couple of Flip cameras to use in the classroom. My students have a class teddybear, Nomad. He visits the students’ homes and goes on trips with them (he is off to Egypt next week). I think it would be so neat to send a Flip camera with him, and have the students edit the video from his trip!
I have a flip camera in my classroom that I will be using a lot next term for podcasts. I’ve played around with it–easy to use and comes with editing software…SIMPLE, SIMPLE, SIMPLE! The Dyamic Duo should be able to utilize this new technology in their classroom!
Hi gmw,
The flip camera sounds like a great tool that would be very kid friendly. The Dynamic Duo can’t wait to try it out! We just tried out the Senteos with the Smartboard, and they were fantastic. I “heart” technology!