Statistics Video Wrappers: Moving It Out of the Classroom with PreLabs Brenda Gunderson University of Michigan

Outline Acknowledgements Course Background Big Idea of PreLabs Using Jing for Creating Video Wrappers Examples of Video Wrappers in Statistics for addressing needs Discussion/Questions 2

Acknowledgements Two Awesome Graduate Students Instructors: Joel Vaughan and Dave Childers Department of Statistics, University of Michigan The PreLabs project was funded through a NINI Grant (New Initiatives/New Infrastructure) from UM LSA-ITC (Instructional Technology Committee): “Enhancing Undergraduate Education Through the Deployment of Quality Learning Objects”

Course Background Stats 350: Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis –Over 1450 students this term. –Consists of lectures and weekly computer lab. –Part of lab involves analyzing data using SPSS. –Still some diversity in students’ computer skills. –A number of difficult concepts for students to grasp – often deal with ‘what if you repeated the procedure many times?’ – theory based, not in practice. 4

Big Idea about PreLabs 5 Problem: Lab time better utilized if students arrived with… (1)common prior exposure to the core statistical ideas, and (2)basic familiarity with statistical software package (and teaching basic HOW TO steps in a lab is boring!) Solution: PreLabs –Screen capture software (Jing) used to create videos. –Video(s) and short assignment together form a PreLab. –Made available to students at appropriate times in course.

What is Jing? Jing = Screen Capture Software which allows snapping a picture of (part of) your screen or recording your screen activity with audio commentary MERLOT.org Multimedia Educational Resources for Learning and Online Teaching 6

Jing Advantages: –Free –Easy to Use –Captured Shots or Videos can be saved or automatically uploaded –Formats great for the web Disadvantages: –Maximum Video Length: 5 minutes –Can mark up Screen Shot, but no video editing –Videos are branded –Video format not always what one would want 7

Using Jing Instructions for Use: 1.Choose “Capture” from the Jing Sun. 2.Select the window of area you wish to record. 3.Select Screenshot or Video. Record. 4.Preview it. 5.Save it locally, or upload it to Screencast.net. 8

Using Jing Helpful Hints: –Use “Pause” feature often to reduce extra takes! –Adjust screen resolutions to provide a “whole screen view" in a smaller video size. –A headset/microphone combination is a worthwhile investment. –Use the cursor locate feature to help viewers follow the cursor. 9

Using Jing History: Convenient location to: –view –share –delete recent Jings. 10

Other Screen Capture Software Free: –Jing: very convenient jingproject.com –CamStudio: More features than Jing (AVI or SWF Screen Annotations) camstudio.org Not Free: –Jing Pro: Provides longer video limit, larger online storage, no branding. jingproject.com –Camtasia: “Jing's Big Brother:" Advanced editing, much longer videos.techsmith.com –BSR Screen Recorder: Limited Editing, multiple formats.bsrsoft.com 11

Example #1 of Video Wrappers in Statistics for addressing needs Goal: –Spend more lab time discussing Statistics, less time on software. Video Wrapper Solution: –Create video tutorials explaining software usage with Jing, and presented with other resources through UM.SiteMaker. sitemaker.umich.edu 12

Statistics Video Wrapper PreLab 13

Statistics Video Wrapper PreLab Introduction: A brief description of the goals of the PreLab Lesson. 14

Statistics Video Wrapper PreLab Video Lesson: One or more narrated screen capture video(s) demonstrating the use of SPSS. 15

Statistics Video Wrapper PreLab Written Resource: A link to a pdf file with detailed written instructions is also provided. 16

Statistics Video Wrapper PreLab Assignment: Students complete a short assignment to practice the SPSS skills just learned. 17

Example #2 of Video Wrappers in Statistics for addressing needs Goal: –Make online learning resources more accessible and useful to students. Video Wrapper Solution: –Create video wrapper demonstrating the features of a learning resource with Jing. Video Wrappers Can: –Show students what to look for in the resource. –Adjust for notational differences –Correct mistakes in resource, if necessary. 18

Statistics Video Wrapper PreLab Introduction: Brief paragraph describes goals of the activity. 19

Statistics Video Wrapper PreLab Video Wrapper: A narrated screen capture video demonstrates the use of the learning object. 20

Statistics Video Wrapper PreLab Learning Object: A link to actual online learning object is given. 21

Statistics Video Wrapper PreLab Assignment: Students complete a short assignment using the Learning Resource. 22

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Prelabs received very well by GSIs (TAs) that teach the lab sections as they better prepared their students for the upcoming discussion topic. Shared knowledge can be then assumed for lab. GSI comment: “ My students came to lab with questions. They were curious as to why they observed the results they did in the prelab, and wanted to ask questions and better understand. Making them think before lab about discussion topics was very beneficial for class interaction.” Video Wrapper PreLab Summary 24

Students able to cover the PreLab at their own pace and came to labs more prepared to discuss and further learn. Student comments: “ The PreLabs utilize what we talk about in class and the homework assignments.” “They are pretty useful as they are, but the applet based ones are the most useful.” “PreLabs are currently fine the way they are because they are meant to familiarize the person with SPSS and that is what they do.” Video Wrapper PreLab Summary 25

Some Survey Results (end of Fall 2008) Video Wrapper PreLab Summary 26

More Examples of Video Wrappers for addressing other Needs Quickly/effectively answer students’ questions –Record a video –Upload it to screencast.com –Send the link to the student –A graphics tablet or tablet PC can be useful Provide GSIs with video steps for any HOW TO DO IT task –How to set the CLICKER settings for saving responses –How to Export your Gradebook to send to coordinator for back up of files 27

More Examples of Video Wrappers for addressing other Needs Instead of typing at people, show them what you are talking about … PRONTO! 28

Questions at this time? Other ideas for Use? Brenda Gunderson University of Michigan Thank You … Discussion/Questions 29