Peer Review

VideoNotes

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Reviewed:: Jan 24, 2016 by Teacher Education

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Ratings

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Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: VideoNotes is a free web tool that allows students to take notes on a video they are watching. The notes are synchronized with the video being watched. The good thing about VideoNotes is that it is integrated into Google Drive which means that students will be able to save their notes directly to their Drive account and access, edit, and work on them anytime they want. All the notes are time-stamped.
VideoNotes is a Google App that allows the user to take time-coded, synced notes with a video (such as a YouTube video). The notes are saved automatically to Google Drive and can be shared with other Google users. VideoNotes is a good tool for personal study notes, group study notes, video review assignments, and peer review assignments. Instructors could also use this tool to pin-point specific areas of videos or prompt feedback on those specific points.
Type of Material:: Presentation
Recommended Uses:: Tool can be used to support learning while viewing videos.This could be used individually or as a shared group task. Some possibilities include homework study notes or pre-class study notes in a flipped classroom environment, a group assignment (in-class or homework) or peer reviewing of peer-created videos.
Technical Requirements:: Website functions well in Firefox 38.0.5, Internet Explorer 9, and Chrome 43; available online using GoogleDrive.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: 1. Describe important elements of a video. 2. Analyze elements of a video 3. Collaborate with peers on evaluation of videos 4. Assess quality of video content and create constructive feedback
Target Student Population:: The use of a required Google account may make this app more appropriate for users over 18. However, in some schools students are given a Google account and therefore, it could be appropriate for use in middle school and above. Can be used in any subject area. Can be used by educators at all levels.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: User must have a Google account and should be familiar with sharing and privacy issues. User should be capable of typing at a moderate speed. App appears to function well in Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer.

Content Quality

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Strengths:: • VideoNotes is a flexible tool – usable in a variety of subject areas and at various grade levels. • Tutorial for us is succinct and clear • This app integrates well with the widely-used Google drive, making it applicable to a wide variety of users.
Concerns:: • This app would require an instructor to form an assignment around the tool. This is both a positive (it is flexible) and a negative (there is a potential for more work and for misuse). • Those without a Google account cannot use this app or gain access to others’ shared notes. • Notes do not open outside of the Google app.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

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Strengths:: Learners, teachers, or family members could use tool to support learning. Tool offers a means for user to create notes. This can be used to support a variety of learners. It is useful for any content area. The tool can be integrated into a variety of assignments including individual and group work. It can be used as an assessment tool in peer-reviewed assignments or student-created videos. The tool is easy to learn and use, requiring little time or effort.
Concerns:: • The flexibility of the app prevents it from prescribing subject- or assignment-specific learning goals.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

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Strengths:: Easy to use and navigate options to create and share notes.User can save notes, export to Evernote account, save video and notes to Google Drive, and share notes.Notes are synchronized to specific time in the video. User clicks on note and video proceeds to linked frame being referenced. A clear, succinct tutorial is provided upon first use and available in later uses. The app is simply designed with only the most useful and necessary tools. This makes the page uncluttered and visually appealing.
Concerns:: None

Other Issues and Comments:: Users should be educated on issues of privacy related to sharing videos and shares video notes. The tool requires a Google account to sync with Google Drive. It is open sourced and does ask permission to access certain account information.
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