Introduction
What is a ‘Video’?
According to BusinessDictionary.com (2015), a video refers to visual multimedia source that combines a sequence of images to form a moving picture. The video transmits a signal to a screen and processes the order in which the screen captures should be shown. Videos usually have audio components that correspond with the pictures being shown on the screen.
Video is one of the most familiar and yet controversial media, which was developed after the invention of television. Ever since the invention of television, a number of researchers have been exploring the TV effect or its instructional function in teaching without any significant findings (Hung 2005).
Video as a Learning Tool
Buckingham (2003) has stated that it is unarguable of the fact that students spend a significant amount of time watching TV or video. Since students are fascinated by video media and are familiar with the symbol systems, and can easily access the equipment, teachers will not find it difficult to implement video projects in classrooms for students learning. This will shift the attention to a new direction of research in relation to technology, media and learning.
Video as Teaching Aids
Videos have been adopted as a medium to supplement curriculum and are used to augment lessons by presenting subject matter in a different light. Video can be used as a tutorial resource, providing concise visuals to accompany lessons taught in the classroom, or as a preface to discuss sensitive topics that might be uncomfortable if delivered by the teacher. Most importantly, videos have the power to display actual events, places, experiments, and other footage that would be unrealistic for students to experience in person.
It is a known fact that each student has unique learning needs. For those students who are visual and auditory learners, video programs provide a multi-sensory experience to help them master curriculum concepts addressed in textbook lessons. Integration of video in the classroom presents a unique opportunity for both students and educators. By supplying a sensory educational medium, schools offer a more complete experience to students and provide a learning aid to those visual and auditory learners. Students are able to develop a more complete understanding of a subject, lifting it up off the pages of a textbook (Rena 2010).
Managing Video in Storage
In managing video for teaching purpose, the basic component need is a place to store the videos. Videos are often stored in a computer storage. Storage holds data, instructions, and information, which includes pictures, music, and videos, for future use using ‘storage medium’, physical material on which a computer keeps data, instruction, and information. Users depend on the storage devices to provide access to their storage media for years and decades (Shelly & Vermaat 2011). Below are some examples of storage medium:
Hard Disks
A hard disk, also called a ‘hard disk drive’ or ‘hard drive’, is a storage device that contains one or more inflexible, circular platters that use magnetic particles to store data, instructions, and information. There are variation of other hard disk available in the market for consumers.
External hard disk & Removable hard disk
An external hard disk is a separate freestanding hard disk that connects with a cable to a USB port on the system unit or communicate wirelessly. Similar to a computer’s internal hard disk, the entire hard disk is enclosed in an airtight, sealed case.
A removable hard disk is a hard disk hat you insert and remove from a drive. Some removable hard disk is built in the system units and others can be connected with a cable to a USB port.
Flash Memory Storage
Flash memory is a type of nonvolatile memory that can be erased electronically and rewritten. There are variation of flash memory storage available in the market for consumers.
Memory Cards & USB Flash Drives
A memory card is a removable flash memory device, usually no bigger than 1.5 inches in height or width, which you insert and remove from a slot in a computer, mobile device, or card reader/writer.
USB flash drive is a flash device that plugs in a USB port on a computer or mobile device. It is convenient for mobile users because they are small and light weight enough to be transported on a key-chain or in a pocket. With a USB flash drive, users easily transfer documents, photos, music, and videos from one computer to another.
Cloud Storage
Cloud storage is an Internet service that provides storage to computer users. There are various cloud storage providers online with popular ones include Dropbox, Google Drive, Flickr, Picasa, YouTube, Facebook, Google Docs, Gmail and many other platforms.
Optical Discs
An optical disc is a type of storage media that consists of a flat, round, portable disc made of metal, plastic, and lacquer that is written and read by a laser.
CD, CD-R, CD-RW & DVD
CD refers to Compact Disc which is a read-only type of optical disc that users can read but not write (record) or erase. It can hold from 650MB to 1GB of data, instructions, and information.
CD-R refers to Compact Disc Recordable which is a multisession optical disc on which users can write, but not erase, their own items such as text, graphics, and audio.
Compact Disc Rewritable or CD-RW is an erasable multisession disc you can write on multiple times. It overcomes the major disadvantage that CD-R is having. Multisession means users can write on part of the disc at one time and another part at a later time.
Digital versatile disc (DVD) is similar to CD which it stores data, instructions, and information in a slightly different manner thus achieve a higher storage capacity and the images are store at higher resolutions.
Managing Video as Learning Object
In managing video, it is important that all videos are put in a proper place. The first management needed is how to stack the videos in folders so that it is easy to access.
Step 1 - Gather all videos into one folder
To make sure the video is not mixed up with other videos stored in the computer (such as entertainment videos or personal videos), it is advisable to create a new folder and renamed with related keywords. In the photo shown above, the user uses the keyword ‘Educational Videos’ as the name of the folder, which distinguishes the educational videos from other videos.
Step 2 – Rename all videos in a systematic arrangement
To ensure that all videos are stored systematically, a systematic way for renaming the videos is used. In the photo above, the user uses the batch year followed by the name of the production to systematize the videos.
Step 3 - Create folders to separate videos according to differences
This step is to ensure that videos are further managed in a more specific system to ease the user whenever looking for a particular video. In photo above, the user created the folders according to batches. This is because, the technology advancement in each year is different. Videos produced in a later batch is more better in production compared to the earlier due to advancement of technology such as better image resolution.
Step 4 - Store videos according to the folder created
The final step is to store the videos in respective folders. The videos are separated according to each batch. It makes it easier to look for a better produced video with good quality to give a better learning experience for the students.
Managing the Videos in Storage Medium
Hard Disk
For hard disk, it is easier to place it in Video library as there is already a specific part of the library partitioned for video storage. I this way, the user can detect the videos easily.
Flash Memory Storage or Optical Disc
USB flash drive and optical disc (CD-R/CD-RW) have similar function, therefore, managing the videos like shown in picture above can help the user to organize the video easily.
Cloud Storage
Since cloud storage is used for various purposes, it is important that there should be separation of documents in folders to keep everything organized. Therefore, the users can search for the intended files or videos easily.
References
1. Buckingham, D. (2003). Media education. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press.
2. BusinessDictionary.com,. (2015). What is video? definition and meaning. Retrieved 12 August 2015, from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/video.html
3. Hung, V. (2005). Video as a learning tool: An off-campus experience in learning with media technology.
4. Rena, J. (2010). Using Video as Powerful Teaching Aid. Christianschoolproducts.com. Retrieved 12 August 2015, from http://www.christianschoolproducts.com/articles/2010-December/Departments/Using-Video-as-Powerful-Teaching-Aid.htm
