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July/August 2010
If you’re not familiar with small, simple video cameras, such as the Flip product line, you should do yourself a favor and check these out. They are simple to operate and lightweight to carry. If you prefer a camera with more-advanced features and a better built-in mic, then expect to spend $500 or more. Yes, you can still spend thousands of dollars on a camera, but only a professional videographer will be able to make use of that type of purchase. With any video camera, always test the quality of sound recording. Some recorders will require you to stand close to your subjects or will warrant the purchase of an external microphone. Video sharing and servers. Once you’re creating video content, you will need a way to share it with your internal and external audiences. You have two options; although, there’s no reason not to use both methods, if you prefer. First, there are many free options for uploading and sharing video via the Internet. These include video-sharing sites, such as YouTube, Vimeo and Ustream. Some sites limit the size or length of videos you can upload and share. One word of caution: These sites are free because they are funded through advertising. You should research each site’s display settings or consider paying a nominal fee, if available, to guarantee an advertisement-free interface. Second, you can purchase a video server for your district or school, or buy space on a server hosted by an external company. A video server can be an expensive option, especially because you’ll likely need a knowledgeable technology staffer to monitor and troubleshoot the equipment. The payoff, however, is that you have the security and peace of mind of being 100 percent in control of how your video content is hosted. As with any data, video data can be stored externally on a server as well. This can be an attractive option, as your video is safe from internal network failures or weather events and the like. However, these options will be relatively expensive, as video files are quite large and will require you to dedicate a significant amount of hosting. Action! Before you get too hung up on the idea of becoming the next Spielberg, you need to know that viewers are often more interested in substantive content than glossy videos. Imperfect camerawork is perfectly acceptable, as long as you’re offering content that is worth the viewer’s time. Below are a few ideas on how to implement video for your operations:
Most importantly, don’t be intimidated. Have some fun, and you’ll be surprised how video can become an important part of your daily operations. TERRY MORAWSKI is the assistant superintendent of communications and marketing for Mansfield ISD. He can be reached at terrymorawski@gmail.com. |
Video continues to be one of the most powerful tools available to school districts. There are a wide variety of uses for video, including classroom teaching, training, internal communications and public outreach. The good news for those who feel they might be behind the curve is that video equipment is getting less and less expensive. Also, video editing and sharing are becoming more user-friendly.