Vidcasts

What?

This week we learned about how to make vidcasts four different ways: through video, PowerPoint, Photostory, and Jing. My partner and I decided to teach a Science lesson on the three types of rock. We also decided to try to use Photostory to create the presentation (before we post it onto YouTube).

So What?

I already knew the benefits of making a video-based vidcast (I made one for another of Prof. Waters classes), but I had never thought of using the other three tools to create one. Knowing several ways to create vidcasts will be helpful in the future, if I ever want to create them. Not only will it help me if I ever have to create a presentation for one of my classes, but it is also a helpful tool to know when I start my student-teaching.

Now What?

In the future, I will definitely be using presentations like vidcasts to keep my classroom unique and interesting. I will be the first to admit that most students LOVE it when you play them a video of any kind; if it actually teaches them something, all the better. It is also a useful tool to use if you are trying to keep parents and colleagues up-to-date on how/what your class is doing. Not only that, a teacher can also use vidcasts to help substitutes see what they need to be doing in the classroom while you’re gone. Lesson plans, game ideas, links they can use, etc. The possibilities are close to endless, actually…