Saturday, February 1, 2014

BL1411: Flipping videos with TedEd

Info from a classmate about flipping lessons using TED-Ed:

TED-Ed is a site that allows you to create a lesson around a TED-Ed Original, TED Talk or YouTube video.  Just take a look at some of the lessons that have been created.  http://ed.ted.com/lessons.  Additional information about using this to “Flip this lesson!” is found in this TED blog post http://blog.ted.com/2012/04/25/flip-it-a-new-way-to-teach-with-video-from-ted-ed/  The purpose is also explained in the press release of its launch http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ted-ed-launches-groundbreaking-website-with-new-tools-for-customized-learning-148820655.html.
There is an article “Can TED Talks Really Work in a Classroom?, by Catlin Tucker that discusses how TED talks and the professionally animated TED-Ed videos that TED-Ed has produced can be used in class as an introduction to a topic and/or in a “flipped” model.  The TED-Ed professionally produced offerings are far better than most teachers can produce.  Add to this the “wrapper” for creating a lesson and you have a potentially winning combination.  The customizations include multiple-choice and open-answer questions and links to additional information on a topic. http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2012/05/can-ted-talks-really-work-in-a-classroom/

I think this technology should be in a totally new category called “Remixing.”  Remixing makes me think of what has been done in the music world for a long time.  Now it is being associated with taking existing or personally created content and “mixing” it with other content or information types. 
The purpose and function of this technology is to present content in a lesson format, taking a traditional video and embed questions, reflections, and additional resources.  It could be used as an introduction to a topic or a lesson on a topic.  Use would be based on the video the instructor wants to "flip."  I found seeing how the “flipping” is done helpful for understand how this technology can be used.  http://catlintucker.com/2012/11/ted-ed-creating-a-flipped-lesson/

The strengths of this technology is the ability to include additional content “packaged” with the video to increase the effectiveness of the presentation, its ease of use, and the ability for students to do these lessons at their own pace.  “Lesson stats” are available for instructors to see what students have done.
TED-Ed is also producing high-quality content based on requests from teachers not limiting this to their own ideas. Teachers can submit ideas and when approved the team of professional animators at TED-Ed will help produce the video that will be shared worldwide.  You can also use any YouTube video or your own production for “flipping.”  This flexibility is another strength.  As Catlin Tucker states in her blog post, “TED-Ed made it possible for me to set up an interesting online lesson quickly. It was also easy for my students to use. In a survey after our first TED-Ed lesson 96% said they really enjoyed the whole experience. It was an easy and effective way to engage student online to complement our work in class.” 

The weakness of this technology is the same as with any video content, there is the potential for learners to just passively watch.   It is important to have appropriate assessments to ensure learners are watching and interacting with additional content along with the “lesson stats.”
A few comments voiced in blog posts expressed a concern with corporate involvement in creating educational resources.   Since the content is not limited to TED-Ed's production ideas, there may be little cause for concern.
There is no cost to using this technology.  All one needs to do is create an account to access the content.  The new TED-Ed website was built with a $1.25 million commitment from the Kohl’s Cares merchandise program putting financial support for its sustainability.

I can best summarize the sentiments about this technology using a quote from Catlin Tucker’s blog. “I love using TED videos in my classroom to get students thinking about issues related to what we are studying. When I heard that I could wrap video content in an online lesson with TED Ed, I decided to check it out.  The process of setting up my first lesson was refreshingly easy!”  Being able to customize existing content for you own class and creating an actual lesson has a huge benefit both in time savings and resource quality.  Making it free and easy to use just adds to appeal.
Some interesting blog posts:
http://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/04/25/backed-by-1-25-million-ted-launches-revamped-education-platform-with-customized-learning-tools/#!t61Fk
http://adulted.about.com/od/classroommanagement/a/Customize-Lesson-Plans-With-Ted-Ed.htm
http://kenanfellows.org/news/kenan-fellow-captures-world-wide-audience-ted-ed/923

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