What is a Vlog?
Vlogging is extremely similar to blogging, which is where people post information or ideas on a web site. The main difference being that the medium is a video instead of text. Many people think of vlogging as a video blog. It enables users to share thoughts, feelings, and information with a visual platform. Users can upload video to the internet and share these videos with the world. YouTube is one of the biggest resources people use to upload, share, and watch videos, but vlogging can also be done on Facebook, personal websites, Twitter, or many other outlets. People can make videos with their webcam, cellphone, or video camera and then upload these videos to the web to share with a select few or the world. Vlogs are typically updated on a regular basis, but videos can be edited, changed, or uploaded at any time.
Why vlog? Benefits to vlogging in the classroom
"A video is more dynamic in nature and if used wisely, it can result in a more lasting impact than blog posts written in plain text"(Liorl).
Vlogging can help people share ideas that might be difficult to share through text or print. For example, "How to Tie a Tie" can be understood better when you are given a visual and are able to see and hear the directions. The same can be said for some ideas that a teacher may need to give to their students.
Students learn best when teachers vary their instructional delivery and teach using as many senses as possible to give the student the ability to master the information that they are being given in a way that is most tangible for them. For students who are visual learners vlogging can be beneficial for them to relate and comprehend the information.
Teachers can talk about a topic in science class, such as pressure, but it may help the students understand that topic when they are able to see their teacher demonstrate that topic through a vlog. Using a vlog to demonstrate an idea also gives students the ability to watch and listen to the video as many times as they want. It also gives parents an opportunity to see what their child is learning in school. Teachers can also vlog class lectures for students to refer to as needed. Teachers could also post additional information about a topic allowing it to be differentiated depending on student skills.
Vlogging gives people the opportunity to share their ideas with a wide audience. Students can benefit from vlogs from other professionals or their peers, they can also be the ones to upload vlogs to share with others. This gives students the ability to collaborate with each other, but also individuals around the world. Many students may feel more comfortable sharing thoughts and ideas through the vlogging because they do not see all eyes watching them answer the question.
Vlogging allows students to share ideas and demonstrate knowledge without the confidant of text. Not all students are great writers and by allowing students to use a vlog for a project can give that student the ability to demonstrate what they know and confidence to do it in a way that they feel the most comfortable.
Students can use a Vlog to make a portfolio to showcase their work and showcase their work over a period of time. This portfolio can allow students and their parents see the progress that they have made within a specific unit or grade. The portfolio can showcase their best work or specific assignments.
Vlogs allow students to learn information at a time and place that is convenient for the. Students may feel less pressure when they are allowed to think about a topic and listen to a lesson as many times as needed without the pressure from a class to move on. Students may focus better a different times of day or in a different environment than in a school setting.
Some students may find using vlogs familiar because it is the same media source that they use for recreational purposes. May students are already watching videos on YouTube and would feel comfortable using vlogs for classroom use both to upload or download videos.
Vlogging can help people share ideas that might be difficult to share through text or print. For example, "How to Tie a Tie" can be understood better when you are given a visual and are able to see and hear the directions. The same can be said for some ideas that a teacher may need to give to their students.
Students learn best when teachers vary their instructional delivery and teach using as many senses as possible to give the student the ability to master the information that they are being given in a way that is most tangible for them. For students who are visual learners vlogging can be beneficial for them to relate and comprehend the information.
Teachers can talk about a topic in science class, such as pressure, but it may help the students understand that topic when they are able to see their teacher demonstrate that topic through a vlog. Using a vlog to demonstrate an idea also gives students the ability to watch and listen to the video as many times as they want. It also gives parents an opportunity to see what their child is learning in school. Teachers can also vlog class lectures for students to refer to as needed. Teachers could also post additional information about a topic allowing it to be differentiated depending on student skills.
Vlogging gives people the opportunity to share their ideas with a wide audience. Students can benefit from vlogs from other professionals or their peers, they can also be the ones to upload vlogs to share with others. This gives students the ability to collaborate with each other, but also individuals around the world. Many students may feel more comfortable sharing thoughts and ideas through the vlogging because they do not see all eyes watching them answer the question.
Vlogging allows students to share ideas and demonstrate knowledge without the confidant of text. Not all students are great writers and by allowing students to use a vlog for a project can give that student the ability to demonstrate what they know and confidence to do it in a way that they feel the most comfortable.
Students can use a Vlog to make a portfolio to showcase their work and showcase their work over a period of time. This portfolio can allow students and their parents see the progress that they have made within a specific unit or grade. The portfolio can showcase their best work or specific assignments.
Vlogs allow students to learn information at a time and place that is convenient for the. Students may feel less pressure when they are allowed to think about a topic and listen to a lesson as many times as needed without the pressure from a class to move on. Students may focus better a different times of day or in a different environment than in a school setting.
Some students may find using vlogs familiar because it is the same media source that they use for recreational purposes. May students are already watching videos on YouTube and would feel comfortable using vlogs for classroom use both to upload or download videos.
Examples of vlogging in the classroom
- School events: Pep rallies, guest speakers, school plays and sports are just some of the school-wide events that would make great videos for a classroom vlog. (Siegchrist)
- Keep students connected in extra curricular activites, sports, or interests
- Update families on classroom events
- Make a video newsletter
- Student projects: Let students create videos as special projects or to demonstrate their mastery of a concept. (Siegchrist)
- Create a portfolio of student work
- Preview lessons before class
- Record the lesson and post it on a vlog
- Simplify information from a lesson-this gives the opportunity for the teacher to take more time explaining a topic for the students that need extra help
- Diversify instruction during a class or by giving students the opportunity to watch a vlogg, by giving them more information about a topic to enhance their learning, this may be important for students, such as gifted students, who need more of a challenge.
- Allow students to upload their own vlogs to share their questions, thoughts, ideas, or knowledge about a particular topic
- Allow teacher or students to upload exceptional student work to share with fellow students or parents
- Read or act out books or events in history to share with students and parents
- Encourage discussion, collaboration, and debates between students outside of class
Making it work in your classroom
There are many things that a teacher must consider before using vlogging in the classroom and as they continue to use it as an educational resource. When using a volg you must take into account what your purpose will be when using the vlog, how will it be introduced and taught to students, and the demographic you are teaching.
Because of content many schools block sites that contain video blogs, schools may not be able to sensor specific videos or may worry that the videos the students may have access to could contain material that does not coincide with the school polices. In order to use vloggs successfully you will need to find an outlet that school districts approves of so that you can access vloggs while at school. Teachers want to ensure that they follow all of the rules and guideline that the district has established (Glencoe 2006).
Teachers may also want to allow students to have access to school computers before or after school if they do not have a computer at their disposal or if the computer they have does not have enough power to edit or run videos.
Vlogs that are posted to the web have the potential to be viewed by countless individuals around the world. Teachers may need to have administrator and/or parental permission before posting any videos online that include students (Glencoe 2006). Teachers may also want to create vlogs or have students create vlogs that can only be shared if someone has access to a site with a password. This will enable the teacher or students to have some privacy when creating a vlog.
Making a Vlog
Because of content many schools block sites that contain video blogs, schools may not be able to sensor specific videos or may worry that the videos the students may have access to could contain material that does not coincide with the school polices. In order to use vloggs successfully you will need to find an outlet that school districts approves of so that you can access vloggs while at school. Teachers want to ensure that they follow all of the rules and guideline that the district has established (Glencoe 2006).
Teachers may also want to allow students to have access to school computers before or after school if they do not have a computer at their disposal or if the computer they have does not have enough power to edit or run videos.
Vlogs that are posted to the web have the potential to be viewed by countless individuals around the world. Teachers may need to have administrator and/or parental permission before posting any videos online that include students (Glencoe 2006). Teachers may also want to create vlogs or have students create vlogs that can only be shared if someone has access to a site with a password. This will enable the teacher or students to have some privacy when creating a vlog.
Making a Vlog
- Create a theme- Teachers or students will need to have a purpose for their vlog. It could be to share a classroom lecture, show comprehension of a topic, or many other ideas listed above.
- Find a web host - Decide where you will put the videos that you make, Vimeo is an example of a website that hosts vlogs.
- Name your vilog- Give your vlog a title.
- Prepare some content- Record content for your vlog and edit it.
- Post your videos- Upload the video that you have recorded and edited.
- Share your video blog- Send the link to people to those it may pertain. If it is for a class peers and teachers may need access to the vlog.
- Update vlog-Add more videos or content as frequently as needed.
Bibliography
Glencoe/McGraw-Hill (Ed.). (2006, October). Using Blogs to Integrate Technology in the Classroom.
Retrieved from http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/educationupclose.phtml/47
Blogger in the Classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://static.googleusercontent.com/
external_content/untrusted_dlcp/www.google.com/en/us/educators/activities/pdfs_GTA/
CribSheet.Blogger3.pdf
Liorl. (n.d.). 5 Reasons You Should Choose Vlogging (Video Blogging). Retrieved July 17, 2012, from
http://www.blogussion.com/general/5-reasons-you-should-choose-vlogging-video-blogging/
Siegchrist, G. (n.d.). How To Create a Free Video Blog (or "Vlog"). Retrieved July 17, 2012, from
http://desktopvideo.about.com/od/videoblogging/ht/howtovlog.htm
Siegchrist, G. (2012). Video Blogging for Teachers. Retrieved July 3, 2012, from
http://desktopvideo.about.com/od/videoblogging/p/teachervlog.htm
Is Video Blogging Appropriate For Education? (2012). Retrieved July 3, 2012, from
http://www.squidoo.com/Video-Blogging-In-Education#module82183481
Retrieved from http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/educationupclose.phtml/47
Blogger in the Classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://static.googleusercontent.com/
external_content/untrusted_dlcp/www.google.com/en/us/educators/activities/pdfs_GTA/
CribSheet.Blogger3.pdf
Liorl. (n.d.). 5 Reasons You Should Choose Vlogging (Video Blogging). Retrieved July 17, 2012, from
http://www.blogussion.com/general/5-reasons-you-should-choose-vlogging-video-blogging/
Siegchrist, G. (n.d.). How To Create a Free Video Blog (or "Vlog"). Retrieved July 17, 2012, from
http://desktopvideo.about.com/od/videoblogging/ht/howtovlog.htm
Siegchrist, G. (2012). Video Blogging for Teachers. Retrieved July 3, 2012, from
http://desktopvideo.about.com/od/videoblogging/p/teachervlog.htm
Is Video Blogging Appropriate For Education? (2012). Retrieved July 3, 2012, from
http://www.squidoo.com/Video-Blogging-In-Education#module82183481