CTER Eportfolio Server

Main Page/Introduction

Resource Guide: Camcorders

Resource Guide: Audio

Resource Guide: Video Editing

Additional Resources

Instructional Videos

The main purpose of this is to introduce K-12 and college-level educators on the benefits of incorporating video and multimedia presentations into their curricula, and provide them with some basic information on available tools and resources.

One of the great things about the ubiquity of computers and affordable software, is that it has now provided the average user with the tools to make a professional-quality video project--something that was once out of reach to most people.  However, while anyone can now make a video with minimal training, there are still preferred methods and techniques to make the most of these tools.  That's not to say anyone using video editing tools should aspire to be the next Steven Spielberg--the fact that this technology has become widely available is both liberating and empowering.  By no means do you need a film school pedigree to make a video.  But some people have no clue where to even begin and would like a little guidance in getting started, and hopefully this site will provide that little nudge in the right direction.  At the same time, I am still the first one to encourage anyone to follow their gut and dive right in and make a movie and see what happens.

One quick note before continuing...  I've included the term "multimedia" in the title because video projects are no longer confined to TV or DVD anymore...video can also be used in webpages and in the creation of Flash and PowerPoint presentations.

While this site is intended to be more of an informational resource for educators already considering and planning on incorporating video production into their curricula in some way, I still thought it would be prudent to present some information explaining why video can be such a useful tool.   The National Teacher Training Institute summed it up best on their Video Strategies website:

"Teachers who use instructional video report that their students retain more information, understand concepts more rapidly and are more enthusiastic about what they are learning. With video as one component in a thoughtful lesson plan, students often make new connections between curriculum topics, and discover links between these topics and the world outside the classroom."

They go on to add that, through video, "teachers can:

• reach children with a variety of learning styles, especially visual learners, and students with a variety of information acquisition styles
• engage students in problem-solving and investigative activities
• begin to dismantle social stereotypes
• help students practice media literacy and critical viewing skills
• provide a common experience for students to discuss"

(Source: Video Strategies. Retrieved July 1, 2008 from National Teacher Training Institute website:  http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/ntti/resources/video1.html)

Feedback survey