Instruction

Directions for Videotaping a Project

Directions

Print version of "Part 5: Toolkit": (PDF) • (Word)

Behind the Scenes Plan worksheet (PDF) • (Word)

The class, or a small group of students, should decide what they want to get as a result of the videotaping process. They should assist the camera operator by developing a plan that addresses the following:

Deciding What to Document

Taping a lesson is a complex process. What kinds of things should be captured in the videotape? To answer this question, imagine being the observer. You walk into the classroom (whether it is inside or outside) to see what is going on. What do you look at? The camera operator cannot look at everything; he or she must make decisions from moment to moment about what to include and what to leave out. When taping a live lesson, the camera operator must focus attention on three things: the teacher, the students, and the tasks. These are the three things that may be documented on tape. See the Behind the Scenes Plan worksheet (PDF) • (Word).

Taping the Teacher

During the lesson, teachers are involved in many activities. For example, they explain concepts and procedures, pose problems, assign tasks, ask questions, write information on the chalkboard, demonstrate actions, orient students to environmental features, point out safety hazards, walk around among students, and assist individual children. It is important to document the teacher's activities carefully and thoroughly during the lesson. The camera operator must make sure what the teacher is doing, saying, and presenting to the class is captured on video.

Taping Students

It is important to capture the students' participation—what they are doing and saying during the whole-class interaction, what they are working on in groups, and what they are doing on their own. The camera should focus mainly on the activities and behaviors of the students who are interacting with the teacher or other supervising adults, but it should turn to other students as well from time to time because students might be doing different things when the teacher is not with them. Of course, one person cannot document everything that every student says and does. The goal is to record student and teacher interaction throughout the lesson, unit, or project.

Focusing on Tasks

During lessons, teachers assign various tasks to students. During the tasks, the camera may need to be moved several times to achieve the desired shots. A specific group of students may be recorded performing an experiment or specific groups may be recorded based on their ability to perform specific tasks.
A clear view of the tasks is essential. Avoid having students sitting directly in front of the camera, because they may block the lens. If the camera operator finds a good position but a student is in the way, he or she should consider asking the student to move.

Taping Outdoors and Indoors

Outdoor Settings
- Because the purpose is to record the teacher and/or student actions as they perform their tasks, shifting the camera's position may be especially necessary in an outdoor setting.
- In addition, the outdoor camera operator may need to incorporate some footage of the site itself, by panning the whole area as well as taking close-ups of litter, plants, animals, or other details.
- "Before and after" shots may serve to emphasize the effect the project has had on the environment.
The Indoor Classroom
- Placing the camera along the side of the room, 1/3- to 1/2-way back, works best in most classrooms. This position allows good views of the board in medium and close-up shots, as well as good shots of the teacher and students' faces in a wide shot. This position also allows for quick panning to the front and rear of the room, as well as an ideal view of the opposite side of the room especially if there is an additional chalkboard or map in that location.
- The camera operator should take into account the audiovisual materials that will be used (overhead projectors, slides, digital images, multimedia presentations), so that the camera will be positioned at the vantage point that best captures the presenter.

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