Caption that!

We all know that video captions can increase accessibility for English learners and students with hearing difficulties or learning disabilities, but were you aware that captions increase comprehension for all students? If you are making and sharing your own YouTube videos, you should consider taking just a few extra minutes to add captions. It's easy and it will enhance learning for your students. Here's how:

1. Log in to YouTube.


2. Click on the icon in the upper right to see the YouTube and Google Account menu links. Click on Video Manager.
   


3. Click the dropdown menu next to the Edit button for the video you would like to caption. Select Captions.
   


4. At this point, you may see that your video already has automatic captions generated by YouTube's speech recognition technology. You can either edit these or upload a completely new caption file. Follow the appropriate steps below.

To edit existing captions (either automatic or captions you have uploaded previously):

1. Click on the caption track. The caption track panel will open.
   


2. Click inside the caption track panel and edit the text.


3. Scroll to the bottom and Save or Save a copy (for automatic captions).
   

If you want to add new captions, you have two options. You can either type them up first and use them as a script while recording your video (usually my preferred method since I like to have a script anyway) or you can record your video, then listen to it and type up what you said.

To add new captions from a file:

1. Make sure you have saved your file as a .txt file. On a Mac, you may wish to create the file in TextEdit. On a PC, you would use Notepad.


2. Click the large blue Add captions button. Select Upload a file.
   


3. 
   

   Set your track language. If you choose to add a track name, it will be displayed when viewers click the cc button below your video; otherwise the track language name (English) will be shown.

   
   


4. Click Upload, browse to the file with your captions, and click Open. The text will be automatically synced with your video.
   

To add new captions by typing up what you said after you have recorded the video:

1. Click the large blue Add captions button. Select Transcribe and sync.
   


2. Set your track language. If you choose to add a track name, it will be displayed when viewers click the cc button below your video; otherwise the track language name (English) will be shown.


3. When you have finished, click Sync.

I strongly encourage you to try adding captions to your videos. It won't take you long and your students will thank you for it (and even they don't say anything, they will still be thankful).

 

If you'd like to read more about the benefits of video captions for students, you may want to take a look at these articles:

• Video captions increase comprehension, Science Daily


• Captioned media: Literacy support for diverse learners, Reading Rockets

Tech note: Screenshots for this post were created using Skitch. I chose this application because it creates text with a background shadow that makes it easier to read when the image is small, as it is here.

eduCanon: Build and share interactive video lessons

eduCanon is a new online environment created by teachers for teachers. Free to use (registration required), members begin with a video they have created or found on YouTube or Vimeo and add questions to it, thereby turning passive viewing into an active experience for students. Users of the free version can add multiple choice questions only, while paid users can also have free response questions. All users can add images to their questions, as well as audio, tables, and web links. Once you have created a video, you assign it to your students.

As students watch the video, they must answer the questions before they can proceed to the next section. Students receive immediate feedback on their answers and can rewind if they wish to review part or all of the video. Dividing the content into smaller components and presenting it in this way increases student engagement and understanding. In addition, eduCanon provides you the opportunity to monitor student progress and proficiency to inform future instruction.

eduCanon videos can be used to introduce or review material as part of a flipped classroom experience, but you can also use them in class, or have students use higher-order thinking skills to create their own interactive videos (at present, they will need a teacher account to do so, although the company reports they are working on allowing video creation from student accounts). If you are using a computer, you can use any major browser to build or view eduCanon videos. Students can also watch videos on an iPad.

Here is a video to introduce you to what eduCanon does:

Self-Paced Learning

While your relaxing this summer you may want to take the time to add some new tools to your toolkit.  The media specialists have created two self-paced classes that are topical and can be accessed at your leisure.  The first course was designed in our Moodle LMS environment.  It is a Common Core Resources course that gives you the latest news about Common Core with tools for creating lessons and rubrics.  To access this class click on this link: Common Core Standards Training

The next class was developed using iTunes U.  This is a relatively new tool that allows course managers to create online courses.  I have created the Flipped Classroom.  To access this course you will need to download the iTunesU app on your phone or device.  Once the app is downloaded select the Catalog Button at the top right of the app then select Enroll and add the code, FML-7W8-MHA..  The course will give you an outline and within each outline there are a series of posts with resources to view and use.  Hope you find these useful!  Enjoy!

Use TED-Ed to Flip YouTube/Khan Academy Videos

If you are interested in using video’s to flip your classroom, or to support your curriculum, but have hesitated because it does not connect enough to your curriculum, there is now a solution.

TED-Ed allows you to modify any of their videos, or any of the videos on YouTube (which include Khan Academy) through their website.

What you can add: Title, introduction/instructions, quiz questions, short answer questions, additional information/resources.

How do you do it:

1. Go to http://ed.ted.com/


2. Find a video through the website, or through their “YouTube” tab and open it up.


3. Find the “Flip” box near the video and start adding information.


4. They will give you a link to share with your students once you have finished.

Additionally: You can have students login and you may track their progress.

SMART Tool for flipped classrooms, SPED students & more

The SMART recorder allows teacher to record both the activity on the SMART board as well as the presenters voice. These lessons can be easily uploaded to youtube and posted to your webpage, blog, or emailed out to your students. Of course, these could be used for years to come.  This tool can be useful for several reasons, a few I will outline in this post as well as provide a video tutorial of how to use this feature.

First, the flipped classroom. The SMART recorder allows you to record a lesson that you want your students to watch for homework. You could record before hand, in your classroom on your board or in your own home with a slate-like tool or using an iPad to the draw on the Notebook workspace.

Second, the SPED student or students with different modalities. Recording direct instruction during your lesson allows students with learning disabilities the ability to review your lesson at their own pace. Independent learners, and students that are uncomfortable asking for help will also benefit from being able to access the lesson on demand.

Third, students that are absent may view the lessons prior to returning to the classroom allowing for little to no catch up time.

Finally, students can be given the product key for the Notebook software and create their own mini-lesson that can be presented to the class or in a station activity.

NOTE: The software can record several hours, but it is recommended that video’s last from 5-15 minutes.

Watch a tutorial on how to use the SMART recorder and upload to youtube.com.

Inverted Classroom Video

 

Check out a video created by Ms. Selke's class and two Bay Laurel Teachers, Ms. Kirby and Ms. Todd, by Clicking Here.  It is a great example of what an inverted/flipped classroom can look like, from our very own LVUSD teachers.  Way to go team!