Downloading YouTube Videos for Education
by Samuel Sennott
YouTube is very likely blocked at your school. No the debate on viral video will not ensue. Instead we focus on application of YouTube in general and special education, specifically as a way for teachers of AAC users to help build background knowledge and to provide writing motivation. Let’s discuss both why we want to use YouTube videos in writing and how to download those videos in YouTube is in fact blocked where you are.
Students will be successful if they have a good accessible writing setup, writing strategy instruction, and the motivation to express themselves. YouTube videos can be a powerful way to engage students. Creating that feeling of “I just have to say something” may be elicited by the very funny videos of Gizmo Flushes or Eating Insects. Yet, others may be amazed by the Painting Elephant. Yet, others may be interested in sharing about the National Geographic Video Stream or the Discovery Channel’s. Maybe your more sophisticated students might like to email a friend about the Museum of Modern Art’s YouTube Video Stream. The goal of all of this is to provide fuel for the writer, inspiring them to pick up their pencil, click away at the keyboard, or use their alternative pencil.
So, check out some videos we have screened the old fashioned way, by watching them. http://otot.wikispaces.com/Writing+Setups
Here are the directions (with screenshots) for how to download YouTube Videos for free:
Download the PDF:downloading-youtube-videos
Goal: To create a library of downloaded videos that can be used to build background knowledge or be written about.
GECO Your Way to Downloading and Using YouTube Videos in Education
- Go to www.zamzar.com with your videos URL address.
o Ex… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LHoyB81LnE
- Enter the URL of the video you want to convert
- Convert the video to your preferred movie format using http://www.zamzar.com
o We like .mpg for use with PowerPoint!
- Open up and insert your movie into the video connection PowerPoint template, found at https://alltogether.wordpress.com/2008/06/05/downloading-youtube-videos-for-education or use the preferred software of your choice. (ICS, Clicker, etc.)
o Modify the template with a title, etc.
o Insert your video in the right spot. Resize as necessary.
o Make sure to cite the URL on the back page.
Here is a PowerPoint template that you can use for student to write about the videos you download.
Download the PowerPoint Video Connection Template: videoconnectiontemplate52908
So have fun and get motivated this summer with YouTube, even if it is blocked at your school!
Installation of Richard Serra’s sculptures at MoMA
Pogue Reviews the Flip
by Samuel Sennott
Definitely the link to send your principal, director, or superintendent if you are trying to purchase Flip Video cameras for your classroom next year. David Pogue of the NY Times reviews it in a fun, hilarious way that demonstrates both the phenomenon and the practicality of the Flip Video.
http://video.on.nytimes.com/?fr_story=71d05f5c938be70c6e84e4b5ea8dcd0e2be70830
Also, here’s the companion article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/20/technology/personaltech/20pogue.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Keywords in iPhoto ’08 for Organizing Video
an alltogether.wordpress.com video podcast by Samuel Sennott
You may be preparing student learning portfolios, creating a video and photo enhanced blog to show student progress, or may be recording video in the midst of a research project. Whatever the case, this post seeks to help you create an easily organized and search able database for these precious clips of video. In the latest version, iPhoto ’08, you can add keywords quickly and efficiently, allowing an easily archived and searched database.
Watch the video podcast here or download a pdf of the help page from iPhoto:
Creating or Changing Keywords in iPhoto
Whether you are organizing for project name, lesson name, teaching technique, quality of filming or content, prompting levels, or student description, the point is that you can begin to have these types of categories as tags or keywords. Then you will have a powerful ability to search and find just video clips with those keywords.
Additionally, utilizing the events features of iPhoto ’08, as well as the ability to create multiple libraries are future topics that may be helpful in this ongoing process.