what is your experience with Audiovisual Resources? 

I have used more visual such as powerpoint and webpages to create games and flash cards as a way of teaching. I have used youtube a little in class. Students can doze off just staring a a screen. I also have created my own flash cards in java and put them on the web

What Audiovisual Resources are you most familiar with? 

I am most familiar with youtube and powerpoint.

How have Audiovisual Resources assisted you in your teaching? 

I have used power point to throw up(flash cards) question on the board quickly. This really helps if I need to draw a picture. If I have the picture on power point I am not spending class time drawing pictures and my back isn't turned away from the class. The less my back is turned away from the class the better. Online, putting your pictures in power point or using youtube and creating a audio visual slide show can help diversify the online classroom as opposed to just reading, writing, and answering questions

How do you believe students engage with Audiovisual Resources? 

Video can allow the student to observe what they may not be able to in a class room. For example, geography you may need to discuss several countries; obviously we can't be in all those places at once. Video allows you to see things in motion that can not be captured by pictures alone such as a dance. Audio allows the student to hear things that can't be heard just by reading, such as bird calls. Unless the teacher is an expert bird caller.

What are your main challenges in using Audiovisual Resources? 

If a teacher is creating the material from scratch, the time to create the content can be time consuming. If it is the internet, a teacher can always have a connection failure. Websites browsers can be out of date or pages can no longer exist. HTML 404 Error.

How would you like to incorporate Audiovisual Resources into your teaching?

I would use as much as possible: Youtube, slide shows, etc

Mark,

Thank you so much for sharing your ideas with us! You have good experiences to share with us, as you pointed out in your message. Do you usually incorporate the YouTube video/links to your slide shows? Have you created video content from scratch? How would like to enhance the use of YouTube and slide shows in your courses?

Carolina

In class, I use power point and I am talking so, I usually won't use videos then. I have made YouTube videos, not in my slides used in class, for the students.

Here is an example of what I mean

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCHMjLjeBN4

The link  is a slide show with a voice over that is accessible to the student at their own convince.

I have yet to put videos in slides, but I am opening to using any tool that will help the students learn.

Mark,

Thanks for sharing your link! 

If the clip are fairly short, I often use the video with my presentations - edited clips or downloaded clips from YouTube. It has greatly helped in the flow and dynamic of my lessons.

Today you can find in the market sophisticated software just for this purpose, providing special features and tools to facilitate and increment the presentation of the information. Examples of these systems are Screencast-O-Matic (screencast-o-matic.com), and Camtasia (http://discover.techsmith.com/camtasia-brand-desktop/?gclid=CLuau_CLrtICFYGHfgodk_APEA). You can also use software that create animations for your presentation, like https://www.mysimpleshow.com/?utm_campaign=elearningindustry.com&utm_source=%2F7-step-guide-make-explainer-videos-elearning-course&utm_medium=link.

As you probably know, you may also choose to use QuickTime to record and edit your video. For example, most computer/software tutorials online use screen capture (Quicktime-File-Start Screen Recording, or iMovie-File-Import Media-FaceTime HD Camera).

How do you usually record your videos? 

Carolina

HI Carolina,

I am enjoying this conversation and thank you for opening up this topic. I know I can learn so much from this. 

I teach 75% of my classes online. Therefore, I have to be creative on how to get their attention. I always start my classes with an introductory video. Here is an example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Exa8Ibxx9dQ

From this, I can set the tone for a warm classroom. I'd like to continue using videos if I can make more time! I use PhotoBooth to record then upload to my YouTube channel.

It sounds like Screencast-O-Matic may work well for making PP videos.

Thoughts on other ways (simple) to make videos?
Thank you!
Dr. Stephanie Knight

Hi Stephanie,

Thank you for your message, and for sharing your link!

Here are my suggestions for making videos--

In recording a lecture, you may choose to use one of these software, like Screencast-O-Matic, Camtasia, or take advantage of the possibilities perhaps already available in many electronic devices, as you already do. For example, with a Mac computer, you can also record your video through the computer camera using QuickTime and iMovie (Quicktime-File-Start Movie Recording or iMovie-File-Import Media-FaceTime HD Camera), and edit your video on iMovie (adding graphics, effects, music, etc.). iMovie also has already built-in pre-settings to compress, export and upload your video at YouTube, as you have been doing.

You may also do screen recordings, to create tutorials or show any screen information you would like to share with students (Quicktime-File-Start Screen Recording, or iMovie-File-Import Media-FaceTime HD Camera).

Regardless of your production choice and the scale of your project, if possible, it is important to pay additional attention to the technical quality of your audiovisual product, as it can greatly determine the efficiency and success in the use of your resource.

My key words in terms of audiovisual production are Consistency and Continuity. Make sure that your piece “flows,” and that it has an identity. For example, use the same font types, same frame rate, similar lighting, avoid abrupt cuts in sound and video, avoid differences in the sound volume and ambience from one cut to another, etc.

Here are some tips to get your project started—

* Duration: to assure better technical quality, and student engagement, try to keep your piece under five minutes. If you have more information, create multiple episodes.

*Write a short script: you need to know what is the structure and the content of your piece.

*Choose the right technology for you.

*Sound: restrict noise while recording (the refrigerator, the A.C., an airplane, a lawn mower can all create an undesired soundtrack to your piece).

*Video: check the framing, the lighting (if sun and shades are not going to change during your recording), remove distractions.

*Before Recording: practice.

*Editing Project:

-If you would like to sound effects in your piece, there are many sites online where you can download effects for free (http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/55-great-websites-to-download-free-sound-effects/).

-If you would like to use music in your piece, search for royalty free music, so you avoid any eventual copyright violations (http://www.adweek.com/digital/royalty-free-music/).

-Watch your piece a few times, make sure that all the audio elements sync with the visuals, transitions and sound are clear, and that there are not spelling mistakes.

Exporting Project:

-Choose compressing settings finding a file size that is small but keep a good quality of your piece, and a format that is compatible to your outsourcing (where you will be uploading your resource).

Do you also incorporate clips/links (of already existent audiovisual materials) into your teaching?

Carolina

Carolina,

I either use the Microsoft Movie Maker to put voice over the slides other times i use a digital Camera.

Mark

Mark,

Do you feel like your recording and editing systems supply all your needs? Or do you feel you wanted to add more elements and possibilities in creating your audiovisual resources?

Carolina

Forgive my interjection. I will respond to one of Dr. Conte's questions:

How does audio/video assist my teaching?

I have yet to teach online (currently awaiting a contract), but have used audio/video to augment some of my on-ground lessons. I like to say that it augments our interactions, meaning that I believe the interactions between a professor and students is where knowledge and wisdom occurs, and so those tools can augment those interactions. As others have pointed out, it provides students with different sensory experiences which can enhance their learning. Of course it can also break the monotony of listening to your professor's voice! Finally, some of these audio/video materials can demonstrate key points, meaning describing and explaining them in a sensory manner. For example, I made a simple PowerPoint that demonstrates how pursuing 80% perfection in product development is usually feasible, financially, but the pursuing 100% perfection is not feasible, often costing twice as much as 80% of perfection. You can probably see that the textual description is a little difficult to follow, but a visual demonstrating the concept would be much more comprehensible and pleasant.

My challenge, however, is the choice between whether to make my own products or use existing products. Of course, making my own means they all apply to my specific lessons, but also means it takes a lot of my time and energy… usually too much. Using something that others have already developed obviously saves that time, but I can sometimes end up with content that does not apply or that is simply undesirable. For example, I once used a video from well-known researchers who described a critical concept quite well, but were intermittently selling their textbook throughout the video, which was distracting and unnecessary (although a little humorous at times as well).

Hope all of this is clear and helpful in some way. Please ask if something needs to be elucidated.

Steven

I am familiar with and use many audio visual and outside sources in my courses, but it is very limited in Loud Cloud' since faculty has no control/ permissions in the environment. In order to add content one must use a link in announcements or the DQ forum or a file in instructor add ons. (links and interactive content are not allowed).  In my experience on site/ embedded audio, visual, slides, and communication portals such as presenter and Skype are far more inviting than links to an outside source.  Perhaps I missing something, but in my courses I do not even have permissions to edit or delete a post let alone add interactive content.  

How do fellow faculty add interactive content, are regular faculty given more freedom with content than adjunct? 

I do add links and files but I am finding many students do not even notice them.  I offer an extra credit just to get students to enter the instructor add on area and announcements to see my additions and posts.. and many had no idea the areas existed before I linked them. Granted one of my courses is the first course taken, but the student should enter knowing how to find announcements and instructor add ons.  I also Skype with students who prefer it over a phone call, but that is something outside of the classroom. 

Interested to learn ways to incorporate useful interactive audio and visual items in Loud Cloud courses as I do in Black Board and Desire to Learn. Is it possible?   Lisa

Steven,

Thanks for joining the conversation! You brought some very good points to the discussion! I do believe that incorporating audiovisual elements, as you mentioned, greatly contributes to the dynamic of our classes (on campus and/or online). As you also said, creating your own material can be demanding, particularly in terms of time, but if the material can be used many times, it may still be a good cost-benefit, and, also, there are many resources these days that facilitate this process. As I mentioned in previous posts you can use software like Screencast-O-Matic (screencast-o-matic.com), Camtasia (http://discover.techsmith.com/camtasia-brand-desktop/?gclid=CLuau_CLrtICFYGHfgodk_APEA), QuickTime, iMove, etc; you can create animations for your presentation as well, like https://www.mysimpleshow.com/?utm_campaign=elearningindustry.com&utm_source=%2F7-step-guide-make-explainer-videos-elearning-course&utm_medium=link.

You can also edit already existent audiovisual resources to serve your course content and lectures better.

Even when you are using already existent material, we have to spend time finding the right material, and also always checking if the material is still available (if it is posted online). So, sometimes, having our own material may be a good option.

Have you worked with audiovisual recording and editing?

Carolina

Lisa,

Thank you for all the ideas shared! I use links to audiovisual content in my LoudCloud classes quite often. I teach film courses, so many audiovisual resources (available in sites like YouTube and Vimeo) are even part of the Lectures and Course Materials. And I also add links in my replies to student posts in the Main Forum and other posts that I add to the Main Forum, guiding and asking the students to direct their attention to such material - as they support the information discussed each week. I cannot say that all the students access this materials, but there are always students quite engaged in the learning process that truly benefit from this content. 

I have used Skype with students before, but just to communicate with students, instead of using a phone, to address particular issues the student may be having in class.

Could share some examples/links to interactive audio and visual items that you use on Black Board and Desire to Learn? I can try to look more into it then.

Carolina

Hi Everyone,

I'm really interested in creating and including more audiovisual in my online classroom. Like Lisa, I feel my only option is to provide a link and hope students will be motivated to use it. I do use Jing to record feedback to my students on some of their submissions. Overall, I get good feedback from this and some students just love the personal touch. It often takes a little more time than writing out comments, but in most cases it's more effective in terms of communicating what you need to say. I like to use Jing because videos are limited to 5 minutes. I took an instructional design course last year and learned that 5 minutes is the maximum length of video that should be posted, as students usually won't listen much after 5 minutes. 

I'm curious about where videos I create could be hosted and then linked to. Do people who create their own videos generally host them on YouTube? 

I'm not familiar with much of the software mentioned but am eager to check it out. Thanks for the great ideas!

Becky

Becky,

Thank you for sharing your ideas with us! Do you try to incorporate the links into your individual messages and replies to students? Sometimes, video links may be part of the Course Materials, and may be even part of the Lectures.

You are absolutely right, 5 minutes is usually a good duration for the clips.

Definitely check it out some of the options to record and edit clips (Screencast-O-Matic (screencast-o-matic.com), Camtasia (http://discover.techsmith.com/camtasia-brand-desktop/?gclid=CLuau_CLrtICFYGHfgodk_APEA), QuickTime, iMove, etc.). And you can also download and edit already existent clips to adjust them better to your course/lecture content.

YouTube and Vimeo are usually the most popular sites to upload and watch video material.

Carolina

Thanks for your kind reply, Carolina. 

I have not used the development products you mentioned (Camtasia, QuickTime, or My Simple Slide Show), but I am familiar with converting PowerPoints into videos. That is probably the extent of my knowledge, although I guess I am familiar with Windows Moviemaker as well. 

Regardless, you are right that having your own audio/video content is very beneficial if you will use it more than once or twice. I can see this if I teach the same class numerous times. For me, this seems the best option because, as you also said, even extant material need to be assessed for accuracy and applicability, and whether it is and will be available online when you need it.

Of course, all of my comments refer mainly to traditional, on ground teaching , not online teaching. I am actually waiting for my first contract to teach online, so I share others' feelings and concerns regarding Loud Cloud and its limited functionality from our perspective. I have not yet considered how it will overcome this, but it seems I could distribute audio/video content to students via e-mail, if necessary. I am glad to hear others' techniques and methods, so thank you to everyone for that. It appears we are on an exploration and discovery path with all of these technology and learning method issues.

Thank you for this beneficial thread, Carolina. It has been more useful than I anticipated.

Carolina in both Black Board and Desire to Learn I can embed material into my lecture, and learning resources. Rather than providing a listing of readings, I might add a video or slide show that the learner can view on site.  My ability with Loud Cloud is very limited, even if I find errors in the learning material, or if something is missing (like which edition of the book to use) I am unable to edit or add anything.

In my GCU courses with Loud Cloud I utilize the Instructor Add Ons and include links to interactive materials outside of the course and I do think students access them. I just wish we could offer the experience on site. Clicking on picture and having it be a video introduction seem more personal/ professional than clicking on a link and taking the student to You Tube.  Would love to embed content if even if only in the discussion board.

On a tech note, since December (when LC had an issue with instructors being able to mark posts as substantial) I have not been able to paste tables into the discussion forum, which is a bit disappointing as I used them a lot before.  I have reported it to IT, but I am wondering if others have had the same experience, or could offer advice.   I also used the pasting feature for Wordles (I assign as extra credit) but students now must post them as attachments.  Lisa

Excellent comment, Lisa, about embedding materials into LC as opposed to providing links to external sites. Absolutely would be more professional and I suppose could be performed in a manner that aligns with or enhances our values, organizational identity, etc.

Although I do not know for sure, I assume such functionality represents significant costs, so perhaps it's not plausible. But maybe it should be at least explored.

Regardless, a lot of great creativity here, Carolina. 

Steven,

Thank you for your message. As rightly said, we are surely "on an exploration and discovery path with all of these technology and learning method issues." And it is indeed very helpful to have this opportunity to share some ideas here! 

Thanks for sharing with us!

Carolina

Lisa,

Thank you for your reply! I agree with you that having the material as already part of the lecture may facilitate the process - and I know that many times that does not happen. But, if you feel that certain audiovisual resources can make an important contribution to the course content, I'd encourage to always contact GCU Curriculum and your own Department to share your ideas. In my experience, they have been very receptive about issues that I have addressed and changes that could improve the course.

The Add-Ons are definitely the ideal place to post the new resources, but like you I have faced the frustration that most of the students may not access these resources. So, I usually included the links and resources in my replies to the students posts in the Main Forum (and sometimes created a new topic in the Main Forum).

I absolutely agree that it would be greatly beneficial to our teaching to be able to have the videos on the actual LoudCloud (not simply a link re-directing the students to YouTube or other sites).

I have not encountered the same tech issue you did. Are you still in touch with Technical Support in that regard?

Carolina

My pleasure, Carolina. Thank you for your kindness. Perhaps we will have the chance to meet in person sometime soon.

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone for your feedback and creativeness. I have benefited from it.

Sincerely,

Steven

Carolina thank you for suggesting that I directly contact GCU Curriculum and my own Department to share  ideas.  I do put them in my class survey, but direct contact may be better. 

I am still having issues with not being able to post my tables etc in DQ forums and when I last contacted Loud Cloud IT they said they were working on the issue but had not yet resolved it. 

When you start a new thread in the Discussion Forum on a topic, Do students notice it?  I am guessing but I believe my students tent to access the forum by clicking on the calendar links rather than task>> Forum and choosing the board.  Would be interested in anyone's experience in this area. I am going to try it in my course that just started and see what type of response I get. 

Thank you for the support and input!  Lisa

Lisa,

Unfortunately, as you have experienced yourself, many students do not check the new topics in the Main Forum - they usually do the direct path you described. But, the best students I have had do check the new topics, sharing new ideas and engaging in discussion - making then the experience absolutely worth. What I also do, as I mentioned to you before, is to present/discuss the new topics and links in my replies to the students DQ posts, guiding them (or at least informing them) about the new topic.

Carolina

Hello everybody,

As we continue sharing ideas on our experiences of the use of Audiovisual Resources in our teaching, I’d like to pose a few new thoughts to be discussed within our main topic of discussion--

* Have you had a chance to try any of the systems discussed, like Screencast-O-Matic (screencast-o-matic.com), Camtasia (http://discover.techsmith.com/camtasia-brand-desktop/?gclid=CLuau_CLrtICFYGHfgodk_APEA), Quicktime, iMovie, etc.? Do you have any thoughts to share, or any questions?

*Have you faced any issues, or do you have any questions, in regard to copyrights?

If you are editing audiovisual content, make sure you are not violating any copyrights. You may generally use 30 seconds or less of copyrighted video and music, so always be aware of sharing/posting your content online.

*Using links and already existent material—

One of the easiest and effective ways to incorporate Audiovisual Resources into our teaching is to use already existent audiovisual materials – full length pieces (like movies or television episodes) or clips. With YouTube, Vimeo, and many streaming sources like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and iTunes, the opportunities are vast. And of course, you may also create your own clips.

In using such resources, it is important to establish its relevance to the discussion being held in the classroom, as it should support your lecture with a clear purpose, expanding and further exploring the conversation with new ideas and questions.

If you are using links, from time to time, make sure you always check if the title and link are still existent as sometimes the content is removed from the websites where you first found them.

Also, if you are editing, you may need first a software to download and decode the material, and then you need a software to edit your clip. If you are looking for a simple cut, you can trim your clip using QuickTime.

And if you chose this editing route, then you will also need to export your files again. Choose compressing settings in your editing system, finding a file size that is small but keep a good quality of your piece, and a format that is compatible to your outsourcing (where you will be uploading your resource).

Carolina

Hello Carolina,

I have not had a chance to use any of the resources you suggested, so unfortunately I cannot comment on them specifically. It seems tome that the best use of audio/video media (for me) is to produce my own and hope that I will teach the same class multiple times so that I will have the chance to use it multiple times. I still see myself using extant content at certain points, but probably short videos or clips of videos from youtube. I am slowly accumulating a nice collection of media for myself. Thank you for the advice regarding editing, file type, and file size; I had not considered that before.

Steven

Steven,

Thank you for your message. And let me know if I can assist you in any way as you start/continue to work on the material for your classes.

Carolina

Thank you once again, Carolina. I might take you up on your offer at some point. I imagine the tools you suggested are quite good, but I just have to find the time to investigate and learn about them. So, please don't be surprised if you hear from me in the future. And incidentally, thanks for facilitating this discussion. Nice job.

Stay well,

Steven