Scenario
Previously the tutor was forced to work at speed through questions during problems classes (only two are scheduled a term), using a visualiser to write out solutions on a pad of paper. The speed of delivery and the possibility of making mistakes which could not be simply corrected were both impediments to student understanding. Videos of the problems classes were made available, but the only visuals involved were of the questions sheet and the written notes, and the tutor themselves did not appear in the videos.
Working with the Module Lead, the Science Digital Education team suggested that recording these calculations on the Learning Glass tool might work well for this scenario. Learning Glass allows for a more engaged, natural, relaxed, and interactive viewing experience. The instructor is recorded forward-facing, which allows for natural eye contact with the camera/students, gesturing and demonstrating what has been written on the glass. Pre-recording the explanation of the equation in this way would also free up time in the face-to-face setting for the tutor to take and answer more targeted questions about the content and deliver better focussed support for the students.
Solution
The Science Digital Eduction team guided and supported the tutor through the process, from preview and trial of the Learning Glass to providing advice and recommendations on how to plan the session. Utilising the expertise of the team mambers who set up the studio, recorded the talk and edited the recordings, allowed the tutor solely to concentrate on delivering the material. Polished, edited videos were then returned for the tutor to review and embed in their Blackboard module using Encore (Panopto).
Feedback from the experience of using the Learning Glass was positive:
A fun experience that made me think carefully about how to present the material in a new context, an exercise which has utility beyond creation of videos. The videos themselves look very nice, and when I showed one to the students as a taster, they found the idea very interesting. I definitely intend to use the Learning Glass in the future for when I want to produce worked solutions as a supplement to lectures.” – Module Lead Feedback
“It’s more interactive than staring at a sheet of paper so it kept me engaged.”
“Very clear presentation and ideas flow in an easier to understand manner (compared to in person problems classes).”
“They felt more interactive than standard recordings of problem classes using the visualiser.” – Student Feedback
Quick Tips for using Learning Glass
- Try to use the principle – ‘One topic, one board’ when planning your talk.
- Plan your talk so you know where you are going to be drawing on the lightboard. If you need to erase much, it’s probably too long.
- Do not wear light or bright clothing. It obscures the bright text when you are standing behind it. Darker clothing is best.
- Do not wear clothing with text on. As the video is flipped on the horizontal plane during editing, any such text would appear reversed in the final video.
- Expectations for videos are higher than for classroom lectures, but you needn’t strive for perfection. Good enough is good enough. Remember that foibles or inconsequential mistakes are humanising.
Next Steps
If you want to find out more, would like to try using the Learning Glass or have a scenario in mind, please contact us.