Creating and Managing Effective Video for Teaching

Topics to be covered Using your camcorder to record effective video clips Storage of video clips Child protection issues – from Steve Kibble

Using your camera to record effective video clips How do the professionals do it? multiple camera angles use of rails and smooth panning elevation Hugely expensive equipment As a result TV companies produce some fantastic footage which can be used to make excellent reference clips for teaching our students. All you need is a digital camcorder with a built in analogue to digital converter, eg. Canon MV 600i to 750i.

Videoing Sports Performances Key Points to Consider Plan your video clip Decide what you want to show on the clip. This will influence your camera angles and clip length. Is the clip going to be used as a reference clip for others to see or just immediate feedback for the performer? Reference clips are often best staged in extra- curricular time when there are fewer distractions and more time can be taken collecting the best possible demonstration

Camera angles: The angle you film from should be dictated by what you want to show to the audience. Filming from directly ahead and at ninety degrees to the performer usually gives unambiguous demonstrations of the technique. Elevation is especially effective when filming games and positional play Filming from far enough away to allow you to frame the performer’s entire body helps to see the performance in context

Background: The subject should stand out from the background. Clothing, balls, shuttles etc. that contrast with the background help to make the performance easier to see. Clutter and movement behind the performer will distract an audience

Camera position: It is often better to set the camera up in the most favourable position and then rotate students in front of it, than move the camera around the class. Set camera and performing positions enable you to compare performances of closed skills more effectively

Advantages of using a Tripod: A tripod helps with the points mentioned on the previous slide They help to reduce camera shake and enable you to pan smoothly You are able to leave the camera set up in place (guarded by a student), whilst you teach They make it easier for students to gain good video clips with minimum expertise/experience

Storage of video clips Video clips gathered to give immediate feedback to performers can be recorded over. However, an efficient storage system is essential for keeping reference clips. Storage of clips on a computer hard drive/external hard drive using digital video editing software such as Dart Trainer enables you to archive your clips effectively in categories of your choice. These can then be quickly recalled, manipulated, shown or copied. External hard drives are excellent for keeping a central bank of reference clips and preventing your lap top’s hard drive from being filled up. A 160 Gig external HD now costs about £100.