Could this revolutionise the way you give feedback?
FollowIn 2000, I saw someone using screen capture software for the first time. Screen capture allows you to record the screen of your computer as if you had a camera pointing at the screen. It also records your voice.
So you can open up your student’s work onto the screen, mark and highlight their work, turn on the screen capture software and then record yourself correcting their paper. The resulting video, can then be sent to students who can listen and watch the video. You will find some examples here and here. In 2006 I used the idea with a group of 11 students studying English. The feedback was very positive and I realised that the idea had enormous potential. My work was covered by the Times Higher and then led onto various awards, an appearance on TV and was even included in a report handed to the UK government. I have presented the idea in 26 countries around the world.
My original work was done using Techsmith Camtasia but though it is a technology I use extensively, it is not ideal for the feedback idea. I prefer JING, which is a free tool and basically does the whole process of recording, compressing and making ready for distribution in one click. Research is growing and in Canada, Jérémie Sérror worked extensively with JING and found it be to very popular with his students. In Norway Peter Mathisen looked at using the idea across different subjects and in the UK the Open University used the idea on distance learning courses. They all highlight the following:
[1] Much more feedback can be provided. Teachers are able to elaborate and develop points.
[2] More personal. Students like hearing the voice.
[3] Multimodal delivery. Perhaps useful for dyslexic students.
[4] Very versatile. Can be used in a whole range of subjects and contexts.
[5] Good for developing stronger bonds with students. Especially relevant to distance learning courses.
JING is incredibly easy to use and you can download the software and start working with it in minutes. My help videos have been watched something like a 100,000 times. You do need a good internet connection and so do your students. Anyone can view the videos you create, so sharing is easy. I really suggest you give it a try; it can really impact on your teaching and learning.