This August I attended the 28th Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning in Madison, WI. This was my first year attending that conference and the conference started off slowly with a less than engaging opening Keynote speaker but ended with a BANG with the Keynote presentation by Judy Brown entitled “Learning in hand with mobile technology”. Judy’s presentation provided a very good closing for the numerous sessions focused on the use of mobile technology in the learning environment and reinforced the need to continue to think outside of the classroom in our ability to reach students.
With the numerous technology choices available it is important to remember that technology does not replace the need for faculty engagement with students. One presentation that stood out from the rest at the conference was Improving the Connection with Online Students through Introductory Videos and Weekly Update Videos by Dale Suffridge of Kennesaw State University. Dale provided a truly “outside of the box” presentation that began with a video showing a computer screen typing an introduction. Dale was able to place the audience in the perspective of a student having to read a typed introduction. Then he proceeded to show a very innovative Introduction video he taped while riding a roller coaster. Needless to say, the video on the roller coaster was much more engaging than the typed introduction.
Video Introductions
Using videos for faculty introductions allows the students the opportunity to get to know you and your voice. One introduction video can be used in all online courses and does not need to be course specific. It provides a personal aspect to each course sets the tone for the type of experience the student may have in the class and allows them to visualize “who” is teaching. Dale recommends the following for video introductions:
· Focus on Personality Videos
o Vita is of little importance here, this can be found in the faculty bio.
· Share personal things that you are comfortable sharing
o What do you share the first day in a F2F class?
· Short and to the point
o 2-3 minutes should be plenty
Here are some examples of videos provided by Dale:
Dale's Intro Video:
Intro Video Example Compilation:
Dale's Low Tech Intro Video:
Weekly Update Videos
A weekly update video can be used in the place of a weekly “housekeeping” email or announcement. It does not need to be an edited video, but just a quick natural, relaxed, conversational video that is reminiscent to the updates and reminders you would give at the beginning or end of a F2F class. A weekly video update provides ongoing personality enforcement and allows for an opportunity to personally recognize student in front of their peers. For example, you can complement students on their discussion responses by name. Just make sure you mention all students at some point during the course.
Most individuals are hesitant to record videos because they are concerned about how they look or sound and concerned about the time. Well, if you can get up in front of a class and speak then recording a video is no different – just dress and talk as you would if you were presenting in a F2F environment. As for time, it is as simple as turning on a webcam on your computer or iPhone and uploading to a website. Here are some Weekly Update Video Shooting Tips from Dale:
· Length – Keep it short and to the point
· Outline a brief script – such as reminders, names to mention for kudos
· Sound – Make sure you can be heard by completing a brief test run and listening to it
· Lighting – Make sure that the lighting is in front of you, not behind!
Dale recorded a weekly update video example during the presentation using his iphone. Here is a link to that video and instructions on how to record weekly update videos with a smartphone.
Conference Weekly Update Video (shot during presentation):
How to Record Weekly Update Videos with a Smartphone:
As we become more mobile and physically distant in our communication and teaching methods, using videos provides an excellent opportunity for the students to connect with the faculty and provides an enhanced level of engagement between the faculty and students. I am currently working on my video introduction and have implemented weekly video updates in a course this term. So far the response has been positive. I highly encourage you to consider creating your own. Here are some full length introduction video examples to use for inspiration.
Stacey Delacruz:
Vanessa Robinson-Dooley:
Tamara Powell (Star Trek):
Radwan Ali:
No comments:
Post a Comment