Apr 10
i received this link via email and the sender thought this would be worth sharing. at first, i assumed it was spam. then i looked at the lectures included long enough to see a TED video included. i love TED videos so i’ll pass this along . . . view at your own risk, but potentially there are some nice videos here. click for the link.
April 18th, 2009 at 9:41 am
Sean,
An idea that’s been floating through my head the last few days (when I should have been studying for finals- oops) that I’d like your thoughts on. In one of my methods classes we had to teach a lesson and it was recorded. Part of the assignment was to watch the video (ouch!) and comment on what improvements could be made. It was very instructive, since I am too busy listening to my brain figure out what I wantto say to rather than what I am actually saying.
So, I’m wondering about the feasability (and advisability) of using an inobtrusive camera, perhaps a webcam or something, to occasionally record my class “performances” and study them in the way a coach studies game films? I realize there are many things competing for my time, and so forth, but it seems that the time spent in front of my students should be as engaged and productive as possible, and would warrant some process to keep me as sharp as possible. Do you know of any teachers doing this on an ongoing basis? Are there any legal ramifications to consider? Next fall is my TA semester, so I’m a ways away from my “own”classroom, but I’m curious if you or anyone else has any thoughts on the subject.
April 19th, 2009 at 9:16 am
Blaine, I film myself from time to time. I even have a colleague watch the tape about once a year and provide me with feedback. If you’re using it for your own personal growth then there are no legal ramifications that I can think of — i just tell my students why i am taping a particular session and mostly focus the camera on the front of the room so that students aren’t on film. the crummy part is if i walk around then the interactions are caught, but when i film from the back and capture the whole classroom then the video is too small and the audio is not as good. i think this is one of my more valuable growth experiences to see my idiosyncrasies and to learn how my body language can be distracting, etc. — i’d highly recommend you tape yourself as often as you can take time to watch yourself as you really will be able to get better because of it.