Video+in+the+Classroom

Number One: Slide Shows If you aren't very confident using iMovie or Windows Moviemaker, a slide show is the perfect place to start. A slide show is a compilation of pictures of people, places, and things, normally put to music or voice over (see Podcasting ). Oftentimes, slideshows can be accompanied by graphic organizers (to be completed before, during, or after the slideshow), or can be used to inspire in class discussion on what students feel about the images portrayed.
 * __How Video Can Narrow the Gap__

Slideshows are also easy to make, locate, and use in the modern Social Studies classroom. According to the U.S. Department of Education, 100% of public schools in the United States have access to the internet. Furthermore, there are 14.2 million computers in the United States 114,700 public schools. In short, the student to computer ratio currently sits at one computer for every four students. Almost every teacher in the United States has access to a computer in his or her classroom, and if they do not have a computer in their classroom, there are computers available for use in their school that could be borrowed for the purpose of including multimedia video on a regular basis.

Slideshows, like all video based media, require LCD projection technology. An LCD projector hooks up to a laptop or stationary personal computer's display monitor, and projects data from the computer on to any blank surface - in most cases - old overhead projection screens that pull down from the ceiling :) Furthermore, new technology also allows computers to project their information onto TV screens. If projectors are out of the budget, computer-to-TV cables can be purchased at most electronics stores for under $30. Click here, http://www.ehow.com/how_4457043_connect-pc-hdmi-tv.html ** to ** read more about hooking your classroom's PC to your TV.

Normally, slideshows are very brief in length. Most are less than five minutes and easily fit into a 45 minute or 90 minute class schedule, making them extremely beneficial to teachers on a tight schedule.

Think about the following list as you watch the embedded slideshow below: ** **__Brainstorming__** media type="youtube" key="Pf9ney-z4rU" height="385" width="640"
 * How did you feel watching this slideshow?
 * How do you think your students would feel about this slideshow?
 * How can you use this slideshow in a lesson plan?
 * What technological goals does using a slideshow fulfill from the NCDPI?

**How using a slideshow can result in "narrowing the gap": Slideshows are quick and easy to use. Because of this, they fit easily into standard, honors, and advanced placement time lines. Here are some tips for using one in a lesson: 1. Check to make sure your technology is working, and that you understand how to work the program, prior to opening the link. 2. Use a web video program such as TeacherTube.com, if you are accessing the video from the internet, or use ZamZar.com to make your own file conversion. 3. If you made the slideshow yourself, save the slideshow in a Windows/Mac compatible format such as the file extension ".MOV," then either place it on a flash drive for easy access. 4. Use multimedia to encourage classroom management. Two great ways to use slideshows are as "Bell Ringers" or "Review/Preview" exercises at the end of class. If you decide to use a slideshow as a class opener, tell your students the sooner they come in, sit down, and prepare themselves for class quietly, they will get to see a movie clip. The same goes for the end of class, if your students behave, they get to see a movie clip the last five minutes of class. Make sure students know that movie time is not goofing off time - provide a structured accompanying exercise, for example, three directed questions to focus on while the clip is playing - so that students stay focused. 5. Use a video clip as the introduction to a new lesson or unit. Click the link below to see an example of a lesson plan using this unit: Holocaust Slideshow Lesson Plan **

** Want to make your own?

Visit some of the following links to learn "how to" use iMovie and Windows Movie Maker. iMovie Manual: [] iMovie Interactive Tutorial: http://www.apple.com/ilife/tutorials/#imovie Windows MovieMaker Manual: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/getstarted/default.mspx Windows MoveMaker Interactive Tutorial: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/create/default.mspx Different Types of Digital Videos: http://edtech.guhsd.net/video/ideas.pdf

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