Screencastify and Distributing Video

Google Drive

In my two previous posts, I have information regarding why teachers should make videos with some examples as well as how to use Screencastify to create those videos. So the next question should be...how do I distribute the content? The answer to that question is actually quite overwhelming due to the numerous options. So I will throw several options out there because it really depends upon what device the students are using, what grade level, and the teacher/student comfort level.

LMS (Learning Management System)

There are a ton of learning management systems out there (Google Classroom, Schoology, Edmodo, Canvas, etc). I'm only going to focus on Google Classroom as the majority of teachers at MSD of Steuben County have made this L.M.S. their choice. Either way, a learning management system provides a great way to distribute and receive content. I made a couple videos on inserting videos into Google Classroom from Google Drive and Youtube. By inserting videos into Google Classroom, the teacher is able to organize instructions along with a video.

1. Google Drive - In this video, videos are inserted from Google Drive as either an assignment or a question. These two types of posts allow students to interact with the content differently. By having the students complete an assignment, they have to upload their work from a separate document, image, or video. If teachers ask a question, the students type their response directly in Google Classroom. 
2. Youtube - Youtube provides a great platform for video due to the ease by which you can share video and compatibility with all devices. If you have concerns about your videos being on Youtube, users can set the videos as "unlisted" so that random users will not come across them.

Google Drive

Google Drive provides a great place to store all your videos if students need to find a specific one. The trick is to organize them. Using multiple folders to breakdown your videos into categories can help students sort through and find a specific video that they need. This is especially handy if you are allowing students to move at their own pace. After you have videos organized, create a shareable link so that users can access the videos easily or share directly with your students with "can view" access.

A final benefit of using Google Drive is for your students using iPads or Android Tablets. The mobile app allows for offline saving and viewing. Students can turn on offline access and in a matter of minutes, the video is available regardless of wifi signal.

QR Codes

Have elementary students? Have mobile devices? (iPads or Android tablets.) Then QR codes provide a great opportunity to distribute video content. A teacher could essentially have a table with a QR code with video directions along with all the learning materials the students need. This would be great for centers or  projects where the students will need to review content and gradually build to represent their learning. I imagine QR codes would work really well for elementary makerspaces so that learning content is ready for students to access quickly without the bother of typing in a URL. For my last little bit of information about QR Codes, I highly recommend using QR Reader by Scan as it works extremely well and is free. You just point your camera at the QR code while the app is open and off it goes. If you would like download it on iPad, click here. If you have an Android device, click here.