Kids Vid is a website created at the University of Kansas. It provides tips for teachers who want to use video in the classroom. The tips are provided by other teachers and students. This is a good teaching and learning tool that can be used as an introduction to using video in the classroom.
Type of Material:
Tutorial/Reference
Recommended Uses:
This would be a good reesource for new or beginning teachers. It would also be a good tool for K-12 students who want to view tutorials about how to get started with video productions. It could be used in classrooms as a team exercise (both preservice education and K-12).
Technical Requirements:
Quicktime, Internet access, video camera needed if completing the tutorial.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
The mission and purpose are stated on the About Us page:
“The Mission of Kids' Vid:
The mission of Kids' Vid is to offer teachers and students assistance in enhancing learning through the power of digital media.
The Goals of Kids' Vid:
• To provide assistance in digital production .
• To create a resource in digital production for the classroom.
• To create a network of classrooms around the world that instigates joint productions.”
Students would view the site as a place to get video production instruction.
Target Student Population:
K-12, teachers of K-12, education classes at the University level.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
None
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The site is well organized and the concepts and models presented are basic. This site is designed for beginning users. The users can submit questions and ideas- this is a plus. Pedagogy is appropriate; site has step-by-step procedures.
Concerns:
While self-contained, the site works best if instructor-led. Instructors would be able to use site-suggested exercises.
The content presented is good and geared towards beginning users. It would be nice to see a section for advanced video production to keep users engaged. Although there are some video clips- it would be nice to see more video about video, much of the content is text based.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
This website is designed to help those K-12 students and teachers who are interested in learning the basics of video use and production in the classroom. Video is a powerful tool that can be used to promote learning. This material can be used in the classroom as a resource for students and teachers. Students can read about the use of video and learn about video tips to reinforce concepts and make their first attempt at using video successful.
Concerns:
The only minor concern is the level of language used. This site is geared towards elementary teachers and students. This reading level of the site may not be user friendly to lower grades. Elementary aged children can create video and therefore creating a section "just for kids" would be helpful.
The site does not address prerequisite knowledge. Indeed, it implies little advance knowledge is required. Banner ads run at the top of the page, and Google ads run at the bottom. The need for ad revenue is understood, but excessive ads for unrelated items (such as Cheetos™) might be a distraction to an otherwise good site.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The site is clean, well-organized and well-written. This site is easy to use. The links all function correctly, the site is linear and easy to navigate and locate content on the site. The video clips load quickly and the audio is clear.
Concerns:
There are no concerns associated with the navigation or application of this site.
Other Issues and Comments:
This is a well-written and timely website about video production for students and their teachers.
Creative Commons:
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