The “Selfie” Mindset

If you have ever seen yourself on video, you know how uncomfortable it can be.  This discomfort is a very efficient way to make change.  All the behaviors, gestures, tones, words that were never noticeable to you all of a sudden become clearer than a freshly washed window. In his book Focus on Teaching, Jim Knight argues that micro cameras are a disruptive technology for teacher professional learning because video can be transformational and micro cameras allow teachers to use video very easily.  In a world of selfies, we need to put aside our resistance. As we look to innovate our classrooms and schools so that learners will be prepared for an uncertain job market, we should be using this disruptive technology.   

Reflection

One valuable way to use video is for teachers to video classroom practices and use the video to analyze their teaching and student learning.  As Jim Knight points out, watching oneself on video can be transformative.  Because teachers are partaking in a highly complex activity when they teach, attending to many details, it is difficult for us to see all that is going on in our “ecosystems”.  Video can be a window into our classrooms that gives us a whole new perspective.  

Just as teachers benefit from using video to reflect, so do students.  Since we are all learners, we all can benefit from the impact that video can have.  Coaches review game videos with athletes for the same reason.  In the classroom, groupwork can sometimes be a place where students struggle to be productive, for example; reviewing groupwork through video can be eye opening for student groups.  Many times students benefit from seeing exemplars of work.  Presentations, groupwork, projects, performances and reflections can all be documented and used to show students examples of possible products.

Communication

Sharing video on social media, through a blog or on a school website has become a very efficient way to communicate ideas.  TED Talks and Youtube alone provide us with a plethora of information, presented in engaging ways.  We take that information, synthesize it, and innovate.  We do this all the time.  As sharers of the information, we are forced to consider our audience.  George Couros points this out in his book The Innovator’s Mindset.  He argues that the act of sharing “…makes you think more deeply about what it is you are sharing in the first place” (Couros, 2015).  This is not only an excellent learning tool but a communication tool as well.  Video is a really good way to share with the community and parents what is happening in your school.  It is sometimes difficult for parents and community members to understand why we have to do things differently.  Video can help to allay some of the confusion and fear around educational transformations that are happening.

Using video can seem intimidating so start small.  Film for only ten minutes; while students are working on a project, ask them if they would be willing to talk to you about it on camera; many people start by using video to flip a lesson .  Don’t hesitate to use the device that you are most comfortable with like your iphone.  Buying a cheap iphone/ ipad gooseneck mount can make it very easy to set up your iphone or ipad and just press play at a moment’s notice.  As you get more and more comfortable, sound will become more important.  I just started playing around with this and bought the Azden Pro-XDR. Just the other day I had a teacher come find me specifically to tell me how this changed the experience for her.  But you don’t need to start here.  Just try something.  If you do something that you like, share it on Twitter using the hashtag #SpotlightOn followed by your school or classroom hashtag.  

Please check your school’s media release policy before posting anything on social media