Video Texts
There is a lot of things that go into making video texts. Teaching students to use MAPS heuristic is a great way to guide them through the creation process. MAPS stands for Mode, Media, Audience, Purpose, and Situation. Hicks states, "Maps helps us see the broader context of a writing assignment and also helps the writer determine when, how, and why he or she may choose to use a particular element of author's craft" ( 2013, p.21). The acronym is a great tool to help students stay focused on the task at hand.
A video presentation should hold the audience attention as well as tell a story. Hicks explains, " At least two other factors are at work: 'stickiness' (the ability of your presentation's message to make a lasting impression) and storytelling" (2013, p.62). Sometimes videos and presentation can lose their effectiveness by having a confusing storyline or including to much written text within the presentation. Hicks shared a great resource in chapter 4, "Life After Death by PowerPoint" video by Don Mcmillan. It is a funny video that explains all of the overused and potential draining elements of PowerPoint. Hicks reminds, "The presentation has to contain some sense of passion and purpose" (2013, p.67).
When a person is going to create a video, the person needs to complete steps to make the best possible video. This reminds me of writer workshops with drafts, editing, proofreading, and publishing. Storyboards can be beneficial for students to use as a guide for their presentation. Hicks shared a cool resource on ReadWriteThink website for printable storyboards.Hicks expresses, "No matter what video tools you and your students use, the main focus when creating a digital video should be the craft of writing and helping writers make smart craft decisions" (2013, p.113). It could be a good idea to first write out a skit before even opening any type of technology. Hicks agrees with his statement, " Sometimes this means beginning a technology-rich project away from the computer" (2013, p.113). By encouraging students to follow a step by step guide their end presentation will be much more of a success.
While researching a topic of the presentation students will find many valuable things. Teaching students how to use Dropbox is a great tool to help keep all their information in one place. Hicks explains, " This way students can have access to all of their media files-imagines, videos, audio, music-in one spot, which can also be set up as a virtual drive on a computer" (2103, p.116).
There are multiple video makers available online. The best way to decide what works for you is to play around with several different ones. I think it would be best to give students a few of the video makers choices that you are comfortable using. Making a video takes a lot of work and it can be an overwhelming task when students are just learning. Just like with any other task you may need to institute some scaffolding as your students learn the process of creating videos.
So I was task with viewing my first introduction video and compare it to the information that I have learned through the text. This is my first video.
https://www.facebook.com/sonja.henley/videos/10216065791187868/
Before this class, I had not really gave much thought to videos. I mean I have made a few from time to time as assignments for other classes. I had just never really put much thought into a video. If I was assigned a video, I would just turn in the webcam and go for it. I would watch it and if I was happy with it then I would submit it. Now I know much more goes into making a video then just hitting the record button. I played around with some of the online video makers but could not get the presentation that I desired. Through researching different video makers I discovered that I can make a video through PowerPoint. So here is my new introduction video.
A video presentation should hold the audience attention as well as tell a story. Hicks explains, " At least two other factors are at work: 'stickiness' (the ability of your presentation's message to make a lasting impression) and storytelling" (2013, p.62). Sometimes videos and presentation can lose their effectiveness by having a confusing storyline or including to much written text within the presentation. Hicks shared a great resource in chapter 4, "Life After Death by PowerPoint" video by Don Mcmillan. It is a funny video that explains all of the overused and potential draining elements of PowerPoint. Hicks reminds, "The presentation has to contain some sense of passion and purpose" (2013, p.67).
When a person is going to create a video, the person needs to complete steps to make the best possible video. This reminds me of writer workshops with drafts, editing, proofreading, and publishing. Storyboards can be beneficial for students to use as a guide for their presentation. Hicks shared a cool resource on ReadWriteThink website for printable storyboards.Hicks expresses, "No matter what video tools you and your students use, the main focus when creating a digital video should be the craft of writing and helping writers make smart craft decisions" (2013, p.113). It could be a good idea to first write out a skit before even opening any type of technology. Hicks agrees with his statement, " Sometimes this means beginning a technology-rich project away from the computer" (2013, p.113). By encouraging students to follow a step by step guide their end presentation will be much more of a success.
While researching a topic of the presentation students will find many valuable things. Teaching students how to use Dropbox is a great tool to help keep all their information in one place. Hicks explains, " This way students can have access to all of their media files-imagines, videos, audio, music-in one spot, which can also be set up as a virtual drive on a computer" (2103, p.116).
There are multiple video makers available online. The best way to decide what works for you is to play around with several different ones. I think it would be best to give students a few of the video makers choices that you are comfortable using. Making a video takes a lot of work and it can be an overwhelming task when students are just learning. Just like with any other task you may need to institute some scaffolding as your students learn the process of creating videos.
So I was task with viewing my first introduction video and compare it to the information that I have learned through the text. This is my first video.
https://www.facebook.com/sonja.henley/videos/10216065791187868/
Dropbox. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.dropbox.com/
Hicks, T. (2013). Crafting digital writing: Composing texts across media and genres. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
D.
(2009, November 09). Life After Death by Powerpoint 2010 by Don
McMillan. Retrieved June 18, 2018, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbSPPFYxx3o
ReadWriteThink - ReadWriteThink. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.readwritethink.org/
Hello Sonja,
ReplyDeleteI used Dropbox for many years with my students and loved it. When my school system changed to use Google, I started converting everything over to Google Drive. I still prefer Dropbox for working on original files, but it’s not very functional when all the students have school Google accounts. I have also discovered many conflicts with Google Drive and Dropbox, so keep that in mind.
I enjoyed your video & feel it did a great job of telling your information. I will agree that the length of your video is very important for the audience. If any video is longer than two minutes, the presentation will need to be well developed to maintain your audience.
Thank you so much. I was not aware of Dropbox not working so well with Google accounts. My school is wanting us to mostly use Google accounts. I am such a rookie at this whole technology thing! I have learned so much. My school tech support person is going to be so excited when I saw him what I have learned through this class.
DeleteHi Sonja,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your introduction video! Good looking family! I am like you in regard to making videos, I will allow students to watch some videos from Youtube if it is related to content being taught. While doing my video I referred by to Hicks (2013) regarding the need for a storyboard. I did write what I wanted to display but I chose to use Animaker and it was tedious. I am familiar with PowerPoint and will use it more and others to come out of my comfort zone.
Hicks, T. (2013). Crafting digital writing: Composing texts across media and genres. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
I teach from PowerPoint all the time. My tech support tells me all the time I need to move over to Google Slides. I am working on it :) Anyways, while I was researching and playing around with different video makers I discovered that you can make a video on PowerPoint. My anxiety went way down because I knew I could make a presentation on PowerPoint. I did feel a little silly because of all the years I have made slideshows for my different stories and unit for my students and I never knew that there was a video option. I like that Animaker has different characters and add ins. I think the students will enjoy those. I also want to teach my students the process of making a video with MAPS. I think that Animaker would be a good starting point for the students.
DeleteHicks, T. (2013). Crafting Digital Writing: Composing Texts Across Media and Genres. Heinemann Portsmouth, NH.
Sonja- I also love the idea of using the storyboard and crafting the digital presentation away from the computer (Hicks, 2013). I think sometimes our kids want to jump right in with the technology because they feel so comfortable with it, that they totally leave out the planning step and end up with a jumbled mess that does not piece together. I also like the thought of allowing the Ss to play around with the different movie makers out there and see what they come up with. I've had more experience making movies on a Mac, but didn't have one for this assignment It was tricky finding what I wanted. Once I did, it had a steep learning curve and I kept finding myself wishing my students were around! ;)
ReplyDeleteReference
Hicks, T. (2013). Crafting Digital Writing: Composing Texts Across Media and Genres. Heinemann Portsmouth, NH.
I will be honest I was afraid as more technology came in the students would lose writing skills. I teach 6th grade and I have experienced students that know less and less about writing structure each year. I was quick to blame technology because the school that feeds into mine really pushes computer programs. So the students are on computers a major portion of the day. While reading Hicks explanation that there needs to be a process and there were guidelines to follow, my heart was so excited. Then as I read about the storyboard and working away from the computer first a light bulb went off in my head. Technology doesn't have to do away with writing it can enhance writing. I am know excited about adding my video assignments to my lesson plans.
DeleteHicks, T. (2013). Crafting Digital Writing: Composing Texts Across Media and Genres. Heinemann Portsmouth, NH.