This is the week I've been waiting for! Finally, I'd be able to learn how to put videos from my digital camera on my computer, edit them, create movies and share them.
But, that's not going to happen this week. Disappointingly, although I expanded my abilities in the image realm, there was little to no expansion in my video learning. Here's the rundown. Maybe you can help.
Experience
I have learned that my imported videos are in the jpg format in my Movie Maker software. I've spent quite a bit of time playing with Movie Maker, but it seems that I need to convert the jpg into a different file type to watch the video I took with my camera on Movie Maker. Does anyone know how to do this? When I went into Zamzar, I noticed that these jpgs were listed as mov. What I keep bumping into is the url. I don't have a url, because the videos are on my computer. Any ideas of how I get computer files back online? I don't have html to link them. Hmm...
My image experience was completely different though. Every image tool was new and exciting to me. I see many classroom possibilities with images and considered all tools easy-to-use. With that said however, I still have a lot to learn with images. I need to spend more time investigating copyright issues and look forward to similar answers as Marta.
Classroom
Images and videos have the power to teach and expand in ways that published textbooks cannot - the current science, the latest videos, the newest nature pictures. And what's more? There isn't a limit to the number of pictures you can share. You don't have to downsize the number of photos you share, because you have to fit everything on one textbook page. To me, images and videos are definitely learning enhancers and can help students "better understand complex scientific concepts when they see the phenomoenon they are studying" (Technology in the Secondary Science Classroom, Chpt. 2, pg. 9).
However, I also learned that what image and video you choose does make a difference in science interest. For example, many videos out there are too long, not dynamic in their pictorial element, or unclear - what is this again? So, I think selecting material is an important step in quality lesson development. Choosing a video to just have a video probably won't add value. To help with my decisions, I've designed the following video-selection criteria: relevant content from start to finish, appropriate length, clear images, reinforces scientific material, increases student interest, inquiry and understanding.
One last thing, I've realized that image-editing software and online video stores (youtube) are the tools to apply different science teaching methods, such as teaching in opposites, comparing/contrasting, constructivist. So maybe most importantly, videos and images are not used alone to achieve instructional goals, but as part of an overall lesson with teacher-guidance.
Application
So how would I concretely construct something using the image and video tools we explored this week? I would use images and videos to build scientific method skills. After students put together their picture puzzles (observe/research - p.s. in previous blog post), they would report what they think they see (hypothesis). Then, I would ask questions about the pictures (infer and question) and have students ask other questions. Then, we would take a field exploration with real photos and videos (experiment - hopefully soon) to analyze (data) and make (conculsions). For instance, I'm working on developing a water cycle program. To show water gets hot, I could show photos of water temperature readings. We could then calculate and analyze the temperature data found in the field and draw conclusions about what hot water does. Then, I could show a video of geysers, mud volcanoes and steam vents.
Check out the steam surrounding the geyser eruption.
Something I'm wondering is how much of a difference does it make to students' learning if the pictures are of you or from you, or if the videos were taken by you in an actual science research setting? Will their science understanding increase more? Or will any random, applicable, exciting video/photo work equally as well?
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I enjoy your blog. To post your own video to you blog site, there is an icon for movies, next to the picture icon. It will have you browse to find it then click download. I did it this morning for a bird video for my class site and I had to save it because it takes so long to format the video and I went back an hour or so later. When I see that it finished, I posted it.
ReplyDeleteI agree about videos, it needs to be relevant. My time in class is too short to add a video for video sake. I do think that students remember and have a learning connection when they take the picture or video. That is hard to do in class but I did it for cells using the microscope and it worked great. for this reason I would like a camera in the room permanently so I don't have to hunt one down on lab days.
I have had great results using personal videos and photos of science in the classroom. Middle school students I have taught in four states in three years all enjoy learning about my travels around the world. I show them I am invested in understanding the science behind something, and prove to them that they have the opportunity to do the same in their lifetime.
ReplyDeleteI also use my own photos because I do not have to worry about copyright issues. I use photos for quizzes/tests. I use photos for exercises in observation, critical thinking, problem solving. The only bad news is that I have a huge external hard drive as a result!
Best wishes with your scientific method skills application. I think it will be great!
Hmm... I am a bit confused with your digital camera movie issue. JPG is an image file type, not movie. The software that you are doing must be changing the file type. If you are using a PC, you should be able to change it by just renaiming the file to something.mov
ReplyDeleteMOV is a "quicktime" movie file, so you will need a video player (like Quicktime) that can play this file type. If you are using a PC, you will probably want to convert your file to WMV (Windows Media).
Take a look at the Zamzar page. When you are at step 1, you can click on the "browse" button to upload a file from your computer.
Let me know if this helps-