Module 12 - Interactive Video Tools
EDpuzzle Summary
EDpuzzle is a tool that allows teachers to edit videos from sites such as Youtube and Khan Academy for educational purposes. There are various features that EDpuzzle offers that will allow teachers to take a normal video and tailor it to the needs of their specific classroom. The cropping tool allows teachers to crop out unnecessary portions of videos and show only what is needed for their classroom. For example, the video that I created was a segment from a news broadcast about the minimum wage. I was able to crop out the introduction and conclusion featuring an anchor and only show the report that was important to our class discussion. The audio feature allows for the teacher to provide a voice over for the entire video while the audio note tool is used to insert brief audio at points during the video. For example, I could use this tool to introduce the video and provide directions before the video even begins. The best feature Edpuzzle offers is the ability to insert questions. These can be open-ended responses or even multiple choice questions that a student could answer as they watch the video. The keeps the student engaged and allows the teacher to assess student learning. Several of these questions are featured in the video I created.
Pros
1. It's Free! - There is no cost for teachers.
2. Easy to use - After watching a short tutorial I was able to create an interactive video in less than 30 minutes. Had a chosen a shorter video I could have probably achieved the same goal in under 15.
3. Video search - The user can search for videos on the Edpuzzle website rather than having to import them from another location.
4. App - There is an app that allows students to watch videos on their tablet or smart phone which is great for schools like mine that are 1-to-1 and also those with BYOD initiative.
5. Share - Teachers can share their interactive videos with other teachers on the website.
Cons
1. Google Chrome - I learned from the tutorial I watched that the site doesn't work well with Google Chrome. The tool bar that allows the user to edit videos is not visible. It is recommended that one uses Internet Explorer or Safari. Not doubt there is or will be an update to solve this issue.
2. Capacity- Teachers cannot edit videos together. For example, the news report I used was part of a 3 part series, it would have been great to have been able to add all of the separate videos to one Edpuzzle interactive video.
3. Time - While the speed of editing videos was something that I listed as a Pro, the need to create a classroom takes a bit of time on the front end. Like most online technologies, one should plan to use it well in advance in order to get the full benefit rather than asking students to use it on short notice.
EDpuzzle is a tool that allows teachers to edit videos from sites such as Youtube and Khan Academy for educational purposes. There are various features that EDpuzzle offers that will allow teachers to take a normal video and tailor it to the needs of their specific classroom. The cropping tool allows teachers to crop out unnecessary portions of videos and show only what is needed for their classroom. For example, the video that I created was a segment from a news broadcast about the minimum wage. I was able to crop out the introduction and conclusion featuring an anchor and only show the report that was important to our class discussion. The audio feature allows for the teacher to provide a voice over for the entire video while the audio note tool is used to insert brief audio at points during the video. For example, I could use this tool to introduce the video and provide directions before the video even begins. The best feature Edpuzzle offers is the ability to insert questions. These can be open-ended responses or even multiple choice questions that a student could answer as they watch the video. The keeps the student engaged and allows the teacher to assess student learning. Several of these questions are featured in the video I created.
Pros
1. It's Free! - There is no cost for teachers.
2. Easy to use - After watching a short tutorial I was able to create an interactive video in less than 30 minutes. Had a chosen a shorter video I could have probably achieved the same goal in under 15.
3. Video search - The user can search for videos on the Edpuzzle website rather than having to import them from another location.
4. App - There is an app that allows students to watch videos on their tablet or smart phone which is great for schools like mine that are 1-to-1 and also those with BYOD initiative.
5. Share - Teachers can share their interactive videos with other teachers on the website.
Cons
1. Google Chrome - I learned from the tutorial I watched that the site doesn't work well with Google Chrome. The tool bar that allows the user to edit videos is not visible. It is recommended that one uses Internet Explorer or Safari. Not doubt there is or will be an update to solve this issue.
2. Capacity- Teachers cannot edit videos together. For example, the news report I used was part of a 3 part series, it would have been great to have been able to add all of the separate videos to one Edpuzzle interactive video.
3. Time - While the speed of editing videos was something that I listed as a Pro, the need to create a classroom takes a bit of time on the front end. Like most online technologies, one should plan to use it well in advance in order to get the full benefit rather than asking students to use it on short notice.
