Week 13: Still Learning from Home with a Video Twist

Still Learning From Home with a Video Twist

Tools for Creating Video Messages

This week the challenge was to create a message for students using a screen recording application.  As I thought about how to create a message, I knew I would need to look for a screen record app for the iPad, as, my current desktop computer does not have microphone or webcam. So the search began for an app that would be easy to use on the iPad to create a video message for my students. 

Some app suggestions from class this week were Screencastify and Screencast O Matic. I searched first for those as an iPad application. Screencastify is not available as an iOS application for the iPad but Screencast O Matic is available in this format. I downloaded the Screencast O Matic app to my iPad and continued on to use it for the video message.

The Message

For this first video message to my students I wanted to share a few photos of our school year and send some reminders to parents at the same time. I wanted to send students pictures of them and their friends to give them a sense of "togetherness" even if we cannot physically be together. 

I liked using Adobe Spark a few weeks ago to create a video and wanted to incorporate that into the message this week as well. At the end of each school year, I create a School Year Memories Slideshow to share with students and families, I want to use Adobe Spark  this year for the memories slide show and share with the families virtually. 

I looked for a few photos of the group and a few individual pictures of students and fun things we did this year, uploaded to Adobe Spark, added some music and I was in business. 

Using Screencast 0 Matic for iPads

This is the first time I have used a screen recording app, so I knew it would take some time to figure it out on the iPad. I was actually surprised at how easy it was to use and figure out on the iPad. Once I realized I needed to click record then hit the home button to get to the Adobe Spark app I was good to go. After providing reminders and showing the Spark pictures, I went back into the Screencast O Matic app and stopped recording. This app has several things that can be edited like size and filter. I plan to continue exploring this tool and send more videos to my students this year.

I think Screencast O Matic is a great tool to use when teachers need to teach new concepts, provide reminders and to review material with students virtually. I plan to use this tool again to create how to videos for students/families when I send out new resources for them to try. It is a great way to add a personal touch when distance learning and allow students to feel like they are still a part of the class.