Next gen cameras are offering a paradigm shift in what we can do in the class room. When I first started teaching 15 years ago, I would have to haul a single ginormous VHS camcorder with me. The only thing we really could do was have a person or group filmed, usually at the front of the class, one at a time.
Then came digital. I made the digital leap about 8 years ago. While quality improved, and size shrank, digital cameras were expensive. Further it was a complex world of file types, compression, transcoding, and always problems.
A few years back I was introduced to the next gen cameras. These are small, hand held cameras, relatively inexpensive and mostly easy to use. What was revolutionary about these, was that our department bought a set of 5 cameras. Suddenly I could take a set of cameras to class, and I quickly realized this changed the dynamics. Class could break into groups and film. They could be creative and we could do projects. Ever since this time, I'm constantly re-thinking the camera in my oral/aural skills courses.
Robert
Hi Robert!
ReplyDeleteMay be my thinking is very prejudiced but the moment I read your post, all I could think of was "Now he is one lucky teacher"!
I'll post this quickly because I want to check whether it works. I will continue with the comment soon.
Umesha
I think you are a lucky teacher for two reasons.
ReplyDeleteFirst the access you have to new technology and the financial capability you have to use these new technologies.
The second reason is the leisurely way you teach. From your description, I can see that you get the chance to leisurely move forward in your syllabus. May be I am wrong, but doing projects and spending time with such practical activities take a lot of time and you seem to be having enough time for such activities.
In my case though, that is something very difficult to do, for I am at the other extreme of the reasons I consider you lucky. We are not in a position to allocate money to such things and then covering the syllabus within the given time is always a challenge for us.
Anyway, as the saying goes, it's better to light a candle than curse the darkness and I guess that's what I am doing by taking this course!!!!
Hi Roberts
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for the encouraging words on my third week’s blog. Only this week I realized, like all the students you also post a blog every week, setting a good example. Yes, I agree with you, technology is changing fast and we have to adapt ourselves to those changes or it will over power us or we will have to face the flight of the dinosaurs. There is a lot out there, it is only a matter of; to what extent we make the best out of them.
Best
Tharanga
Dear Robert,
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your warm comments.
I would like to give a big credit to you for this.
Best,
Yuriy
P.S. By the way, your blog is just splendid!
Hi Robert,
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to read Video, Cameras and Brazil. You have traced the evolution of cameras which come in different shapes and performance output and also how user friendly they are. I have got a handheld mini video camera and I think soon I should use it and make the outcome as part of the final project. Both teachers and students find it interesting to use technology for teaching learning process as it breaks monotony of teacher based, chalk based learning.