How I Made the English Conversation Videos?

You can shoot your students in 2 common lenghts ( long shot, medium shot- focus on each actor), to make your work appear professional. Let your students repeat acting for 3 or 4 times. Depending on their performance.

Normally my shooting style is that the students should act out on the same scene at least three to four times, since I have only one video camera and I have to take many different angles. The repetition of acting on the same scene is good for the performers so they can master their parts- I always after on what they have learned throughout the whole process.

However, you can shoot in three different lenghts/ angle in each scene. First is the wide shot where all performers and place can be seen. Second is the medium and third is the close up. The close up shot is to focus each actor. So you have to move your camera to where you are focusing (side to side). So the actors must repeat the same action at least three to four times! But if their performance did not satisfy you, they have to do it over and over again.

Anyway, we all have fun throughout the entire process!

I want to improve my teaching methods. I'm pretty sure that if my teaching method is effective, this could surely boost students' learning. So why I use video camera in my class? Simply because I believe that video helps students learn very quickly. I have been making English videos using my students as performers (actors and actresses) and what I found out is that it helps them grow in many areas. My students really improve in many aspects beyond I could imagine.

http://ppkenglish.multiply.com/video/

I can only meet my students once a week in class. Normally here, foreign teachers teach 50 minutes each class per week. Needless to say that once a week class is not enough. So how can they learn to speak English with that situation?

It's pretty clear that they need extra help. So what extra help can you give for the huge number of students? This is where the idea of making video began. This is an idea centered on my students. Making English conversation videos is an innovative action to make sure my students can get extra help they need.

Why making English conversation videos is impacting so much?

There are many advantages but I will only mention one this time. The good thing about making video is that you can copy your videos into VCD or DVD so they can play it at home over and over if they didn't understand. I added sub-titles to each video to make sure they can really catch up.
And also most of my students have internet connection at home so learning can happen even I'm not around. They are not just having fun with English subject, but also they are learning the English language in an easier and more comfortable approach. So putting your work on the website and copying on VDC is a great idea to make sure that everyone has a chance to learn. So your students who don't have internet at home are still able to watch through their VCD or DVD player.

Why Kodak Zi8?

The Kodak Zi8 has the external microphone jack. This is why my first choice is Kodak Zi8. You can't produce good English conversation video when the sound quality is very poor. The battery can be easily swap if you have extra and SD memory that you can add up to 32 GB.
However, you can also buy Sony Bloggie (HD camcorder) or other HD camcorder if you plan to buy a studio microphone. The studio microphone is also useful if you know how to sync your audio and the video.

Technology can improve learning and students' achievement. I'm positive that having this video project will surely help students to exemplify their talents and creativity. At the same time, they will be molded to be confident in expressing their English skills.

As I see it, this is very good teaching approach if we have the equipments necessary to make this English media project possible. This surely maximizes the learning of the students. Why? Because the students can see for themselves what went right and wrong. I have used this approach to a selected students and their learning progress are indeed fast.

It always leaves a good feeling when students enjoy watching themselves on the internet or television the output of their hard work. They were able to identify their deficiencies which they need to improve. They can personally ask themselves such as, "Am I happy with my performance?" Or "What should I do differently next time?" That way, they can learn by reflecting on their performance.

Lastly, I'm promoting this kind of media project with a concrete understanding that technology is support to education, but it is not there to take over our role as teachers.