To block or not to block?

Talking about blocking again?  Yes, this is one of the dilemmas facing educational institutions.  How should we juggle between educational, social and safeguarding needs?  Today I’d like to extract some discussion from a mailing group on YouTube in this regard.

A colleague on the Curriculum Champions mailing list invited others to share their colleges’ practice of YouTube usage.  While we might expect YouTube being banned in many institutions, it doesn’t necessary be the case.  Some colleagues did point out the rich media resources one can get from streaming videos such as YouTube and TeacherTV.  Quite a number of colleagus saying their colleges have unblocked these sites for a while and it worked out fine.  Some colleges also adopt flexible AUP to cater the educational needs, which can be a good reference for us:

• Youtube is available in the classroom and open learning areas; access monitored by the teaching staff and open learning staff.
• Student can access these websites by using their own devices, connecting to the open wireless internet connection in most non-teaching areas of the college (e.g. reception areas and refectories), and via college PCs in learning centres before 9.00am, between 12.00-14.00 and after 17.00 (i.e. before teaching starts, lunch time, and at the end of the core teaching day).

Technical issue might still be a concern for some colleges, e.g. bandwidth to support multi-media files.  However, it shouldn’t be a problem which can’t be tackled.  In last week FutureLab Conference, a staff member from a local authoriy mentioned that the stipulated network policy allowed some flexibilities, so individual institutions could enable access to streaming videos site if necessary.  I assume the same should apply to JANET, who support the network for colleges and universities.

To block or not to block – the choice is yours!

Note: Curriculum Champions mailing list is a mailing list managed by Becta and supported by JISC.  It gives a platform for e-learning professionals to discuss emerging technology and various issues on ICT in education.

Being creative – Cornwall College’s video

A while ago we’ve talked about how we could use video to “spice up” the communication with your students, and you were invited to check out Cornwall College Students’ Union YouTube Channel.  Alex Ledbrooke, their Communication and Participation Officer, has shared with us their latest video production on the result of exit survey for 2008/09 academic year:

How did you come up with this idea?
The ideas were a combined effort.  The content itself was generated by the survey.  I took the “you could fit xx double decker buses…” idea to the students who gave me the topical themes to work around. 

What about the actual production of the video?
I then did the creation (which is using powerpoint and very simple animation) and finally the music was recorded by a student at our Camborne campus.

Although Alex explained his work in very simple terms, I’m sure you’d agree that there’re lots of creative work and effort in it.  Not only did the students’ union manage to report “boring” figures in an interesting, easy-to-understand way, the cooperation between students’ union and other students with talents is also brilliant!   And of course their committment to follow up the negative experience is encouraging too!

So have you been inspired?  If so, don’t sit and wait – make your own media today!

Engaging students by videos

A while ago, we have discussed how videos can spice up your communication with your students.  Lancaster and Morecambe College Students’ Union has just finished their new promotion video, which is really informative and with a great sense of humour!  Here is the video:

We have invited their Student Liaison Officer (SLO), Adele Burrow, and Film & TV Tutor, Janine Bebbington, to share their experience:

What are you planning to use this video for?
The film was primarily made to be used in the Induction Talks to new students this September so it will be seen by all new students to the college. It is also on Facebook and U-tube, and was shown on a TV by Main Reception throughout the Summer Term 2009.

How did you start the planning and preparation?
The SLO contacted the tutor on the Film and TV course and asked if it was possible for her students to put together a promotional film for the SU. This fitted in well with one of the modules on the course so she asked the SU to put together a brief for her students (first year National Diploma Film and TV). The SLO presented the brief to the students as ‘an external client’ to give them real-life experience.

How much did it cost?
The SU decided that they would contribute £200 towards the film so that the students could purchase a new group tripod and individual mini-disks.

Who decided the content and presentation of ideas?
The students on the course split into groups and came up with ideas, which were then pitched to the SLO over an afternoon (unfortunately the SU officers couldn’t make the time of this session – hopefully they will be able to do the judging next year). The winning group was selected and the other groups then fed their ideas into the idea for “SU TV”. None of us was too prescriptive – that way everyone was allowed to gain from the project – the SLO and tutor were open to suggestions from students and willing to trust their ideas. Projects like this could become unstuck if too many “directors” emerge

How was the production process?  Did you encounter any difficulties?
The filming was made over just a few weeks and there were a few challenges along the way – e.g. the module fell in the Autumn Term and thus the SU volunteers were new in their roles – some didn’t want to be filmed and some couldn’t meet at the times the film students were available.  In spite of the challenges and the short turn around, the students put together a fantastic film with the support of their tutor. We also had a fairly tight structure that the students operated within, so that things did not run away with themselves. 

What do you think are the advantages of using videos?
It’s a fantastic medium that reaches a wider audience. Student feedback is always to cut down text on flyers and that many don’t read lots of text information. Creating a vibrant and amusing short film captures the imagination and represents the opportunities much more clearly.

If you were to give one advice to others who are interested to use videos, what would you say to them?
Make links with departments with the expertise e.g. Film/ TV courses! The tutors can then look at where it could fit into the curriculum and choose motivated groups who are interested and up for the project.

Video

Last time we’ve talked about Podcast; let’s have a look at video this week.

Thanks to the blooming of YouTube - breaking news, hidden talents and captivating speeches are now more accessible than ever.  Besides uploading videos, many people also use it as a “search engine” to find new information, ideas and inspiration.  But you might be wondering: how can we make the best out of it for student participation?

Why using Video?

Video gives an alternative for people to get the information they need.  Not only is video more entertaining (of course only when the content and presentation are interesting!), it also helps us get a flavour of the events’ atmosphere and people’s emotions.  Similar to podcast, this nature can better keep your auidence’s attention and get your voice heard in a friendly and personal manner.  Not to mention: Making videos is now easier than ever!

What to capture?

As you can imagine, videos are in a much better position to capture actions, atmospehre and movements.  Therefore it is a popular tool for recording events, such as student music contest and football competition.  However, have you thought of…

• Presidental broadcast on students’ union updates?
• Promoting nomination and election?
• Induction information for new students?
• Students talking about their learning experience?
• Apprentices sharing their daily life at work place?
• Interview with principal or staff members?
• Campaign highlights?

As technology develops, students don’t necessarily be passive auidence.  So why not invite your students to make videos around a certain topic, and engage them in discussion and sharing?  An idea could be “One minute of your favourite time on campus”; another interesting one is currently carried out by University of Central Lancashire Students’ Union - 100 Voices from new students.  People love learning others’ stories, especially for those who are related to their own lives!

So use your creativity and tell the stories!

How to make video?

Capturing – Some people think nowadays the quality of videos is not so crucial as before.  That said, we still need equipments which can have a decent image quality, as well as audio support.  Small handheld tools such as (good quality) digitial camera and point-and-shoot camera (e.g. flip camera and busbi video) can help you produce video footage quickly and easily.  They are light and easy to carry; you can always bring them along and and capture interesting things when they happen.  If you need videos with more professional appearence and audio support, you would need a good camcorder.  Usually your Learning and Resource Centre or IT Department would have some for short loan.
 
Editing – No matter your video aims to be simple and friendly, or professional and funky, you’ve to edit it before release.  Tools such as iMovie, Window Movie Maker and VirtualDub can help you with the task.  Do bear in mind that video editing can be a time-consuming process: seeking support from your team or volunteers from media studies students can lighten your burden.

Hosting – While YouTube is seemingly an obvious choice, you can also consider other wesbites, such as blip.tv and Hulu, to suit your specific needs.

Need some advice and ideas? Check them out:
JISC Digital Media (With user-friendly explanation on media production)
Cornwall College Students’ Union Channel
Lancaster & Morecambe College
University of Central Lancashire Students’ Union Channel