Using Voicethread & Flip Video for video project feedback

Posted on: June 22nd, 2010
flip camera

The hardest things to provide feedback on to students are interviews, presentations and performances. Trying to juggle observing what is being presented and taking notes to provide the grade and additional feedback can be a challenge. There are several tools that can help alleviate this challenge.

Flip Video cameras are digital cameras that can record anywhere from 60 to 120 minutes at high quality. A tripod can also be purchased for the cameras. Another great benefit of the Flip cameras is that they have the software built into the camera. As soon as the camera’s USB attachment is plugged into a computer, it will install the editing software and download the videos. This makes sharing a single camera between multiple users and cameras very easy. Also, the cost of the Flip cameras is excellent – currently the 120 minute (2nd generation) is less than $150 from Amazon.com.

Another great tool is VoiceThread.com. This site allows instructors to create multimedia content and share it with their students. The service provides storage of the videos, streaming capabilities, and access controls that can give access to only the students that appear in the videos.

Creating a video of an interview or performance also has great benefits for the students. They are able to view themselves as their instructor did. This makes the feedback provided and their grade more relevant.  In addition, it allows instructors to provide more specific feedback to the student(s). It also makes it easier for instructors to grade as they are able to review the videos as many times as needed. An interesting twist on this activity would be to have the students grade their own performances followed by a meeting where the instructor and students compare notes. By setting these guidelines up ahead of time, students will become more invested in the preparation for the interview or presentation, which can contribute to a higher rate of success.

Posted in Instructional Technology, Integrating Technology, Videos Tags: , , , , , ,
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  • Andrea Reif

    This sounds like it would be great for JobLink and college career placement offices that are helping people with their job search. Do you know if anybody is doing this?

  • http://www.mindofaninnovator.com Rob Moore

    Yes, there are different services that provide that type of interaction. I havent used them but I understand that they allow for students to create an account and do mock interviews so that they can learn and prepare for the process. The opportunity to see yourself is effective for improving any type of speaking-based skill.

  • http://twitoaster.com/country-us/innovative_tech/ innovative_tech

    Flip cameras are a good way to let students aid in creating course content: http://mindofaninnovator.com/assessing-s... #web20chat
    via Twitoaster

  • suzteacher49

    @innovative_tech hoping to have a flipcam this year! Like the sire you rec.
    via Twitoaster

  • http://twitoaster.com/country-us/innovative_tech/ innovative_tech

    @suzteacher49 yea flip cameras have been great. the instructors and students love them too. not as intimidating as a dig camera/tripod setup
    via Twitoaster

  • http://twitoaster.com/country-us/innovative_tech/ innovative_tech

    @suzteacher49 definitely share the site with others and leave comments and questions – always looking for new ideas!
    via Twitoaster

  • http://www.garyalanmiller.info garyalanmiller

    Here at UNC, we subscribe to a service called InterviewStream. The interview stream system has thousands of pre-recorded questions that centers or individual users can group into question sets. The on-screen video prompts the questions, and the user utilizes a webcam to record their responses. Students can then review their responses and/or set up a time to review them with a counselor.

    The system hasn't been utilized in great numbers, but that has more to do with it being buried on our website than being a statement about the usefulness of the system. When our new site launches next month we should see a bounce in user stats, since it will be much higher profile.

  • http://www.garyalanmiller.info garyalanmiller

    I should clarify that the InterviewStream system I mentioned below is available at UNC through University Career Services (my office), and it's a pretty commonly adopted program at many career centers across the country.

  • http://twitoaster.com/country-us/innovative_tech/ innovative_tech

    You can also use Flip cams and voicethread to create interactive feedback. http://mindofaninnovator.com/assessing-s... #web20chat
    via Twitoaster

  • bf_teach4change

    @innovative_tech tech staff said no v-thread – basically try to discourage anything off our server/we can’t control = handcuffs #web20chat
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  • http://twitoaster.com/country-us/innovative_tech/ innovative_tech

    @bf_teach4change do they offer an alternative? #web20chat
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  • bf_teach4change

    @innovative_tech no, never; in fact we PAID for edublogger suite instead of using free WP or blogger; & i could still free up EB #web20chat
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  • http://twitoaster.com/country-us/innovative_tech/ innovative_tech

    @bf_teach4change that’s a tough break!
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  • http://blogs.cofc.edu/plottsl/2010/09/29/back-to-school-tech-tools/ Laura Plotts » Back-to School Tech Tools

    [...] How might you use blogs? 5.  Sharing & Collaborative Tools: Voicethread for example.  How might I use Voicethread? Please note that we do have Flip cameras and tripods that you can check [...]

  • http://blogs.cofc.edu/tlt/2010/09/29/back-to-school-tech-tools/ TLT » Blog Archive » Back-to-school tech tools

    [...] might you use blogs? 5.  Sharing & Collaborative Tools:  Voicethread for example.  How might  you use Voicethread? Please note that we do have Flip cameras and tripods that you can check [...]

  • Erin

    This is such a wonderful tool for the music room!  As a teacher of about 650 students, it is so difficult to assess students during the class period. In order to get each student assessed, I usually need to assess at least 4 students at once while they perform a short 15 second excerpt from a song learned in class. As this is my reality, I feel that I am not able to accurately assess each student in my class, however I am required to do so. A flip camera is an excellent solution to this problem! If I have students record their work, I can review each student individually at a pace that allows me to critique accurately. Thank you for the ideas!!

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