Why Social Distancing Matters is one of three silent videos that Common Craft published earlier this year to help people understand how they can help to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Three Silent Videos About COVID-19
Create and Conduct Polls in Google Slides
You can use Poll Everywhere as a stand-alone tool or you can integrate it into Google Slides. When you use it in Google Slides you can seamlessly transition from your regular presentation into a polling slide. In the following video I demonstrate how to use Poll Everywhere in Google Slides.
Talking Instead of Reading
Today when I make videos for my YouTube channel or for my students, I don't have a script at all. Instead, I just have some bullet points in a notebook (yes, a physical notebook) that I refer to while recording.
I'm sharing this tip today because I'm seeing a lot of people try to make instructional videos for the first time this fall. Similarly, a lot of teachers are using webinar tools extensively for the first time this fall. If you're reading off of a script, your students will tune you out very quickly and or just try to "get the notes" from a classmate without having to watch your video or webinar. Keeping it short and sweet while talking to your students instead of reading to your students can go a long way toward getting them to actually watch your video.
And don't be afraid to show some personality and or mess-ups. We're teachers, not video producers so don't feel like it has to be perfect every time you publish a video lesson for your students to watch.
If you want some more tools, tips, and instruction on how to make and teach with video, consider enrolling in A Crash Course in Making & Teaching With Video.