logy Instructional Techno Math 5-12

Volume 1, Issue 3 November 2012

BVCPS

Creating Your Own Math Videos

There are numerous sources for short, instructional math videos online. In this and previous newsletters, Ive listed some of those sources: HippoCampus, Project Shar Texas.org, Illuminations, The Math Forum. But what happens when you cant find a premade video on a topic you need or the videos you find arent exactly right for your students? Why not make your own videos? I promise you its easy and you dont need a video camera. The first option is screencasting which allows you to record what youre doing on your computer. You need the right software, here are the two best free programs. JingAfter you download and install, a yellow sun appears at the top of your screen. Click the + and select the area of your computer screen you want to record. Click the movie strip on the control bar to start recording. You can record with or without audio although math explanations are generally much better with audio. Start your demonstration, sample problem, etc. If you need to pause to do something off camera, just click the pause button. Click the record button to start recording again. Save the Flash file on your computer. To play, right click it and Open with IE or Firefox. Screencast-O-MaticSuper easy and files can be saved in MP4 format making them playable on non-PC devices. Follow the onscreen instructions which walk you through making a recording. Highly recommended. NOTE: Be careful, when installing any program like this, to click on the correct download button. The websites are very misleading and you can end up installing the wrong software. The second option is to use PowerPoint, and no, this wont end up a typical PowerPoint slide show. Create your PPT just like you normally would. PPT allows you to easily record an audio explanation for each slide/step. Once the PPT is finished you have two options: create a PPS or convert it to Flash. Make sure you add timing to each slide rather than have the slide advance by mouse click. To create a PPS that plays on any computer with PowerPoint, after youve finished creating the slide show, save the file again, this time change the file type to PowerPoint Show. This creates a self-playing video. You can also convert your slide show to Flash which is played through your Internet browser, no MS Office required. To do this, youll need to download PowerFlashPoint, another free program. This will add a new icon to your tool bar in PPT. Click it and then click Convert. Save your file and youre done. To play it, right click the file and Open with IE or Firefox. Click to see an example of this. (Its the sample Facebook page at the bottom.) I used to recommend using Windows Movie Maker and still photos to make videos like this, but the new version of Movie Maker, Windows Live Movie Maker, has removed the ability to narrate your movie. Instead, you have to record the narration in another program and then import it into your movie and set the timings for each image to match the recording. Too much work for me! If youd like to learn more, or get some help, I am available to work with you. Just email and ask. Sue

Inside this issue:

Feature Article: 1 Creating Your Own Math Videos Developmental Math 2 Courses at HippoCampus Recommendations: Websites and iTunes U Courses 2

Developmental Math Open Courses Now Available on HippoCampus.org

HippoCampus is now offering video lesson presentations and workedproblem videos) from the NROC (National Repository of Online Courses) in Developmental Math: Arithmetic, Beginning Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, Geometry, and Statistics. Our school district does not need to be a member of NROC to access these courses through HippoCampus. HipposCampus offers free membership although you do not need to be a member to access the videos and other content. However, if you do signup, you can create your own mini library and organize your videos in one place for easy access. Another advantage to membership is receiving emails advising you of new content. Thats how I learned about the developmental math lessons access. Here are just a few of the many instructional and problem solving videos available (over 200):

Complex rational expressions Rational formulas and variation The Quadratic formula Graphing types of functions Finding domain and range Introduction to exponential functions Properties of logarithmic functions Solving exponential and logarithmic equations Probability Use and misuse of graphical representations

Variables and expressions Rational and real numbers Solving multi-step equations Formulas Compound inequalities Exponential notation Scientific notation The Pythagorean Theorem Dividing by binomials and polynomials Graphing linear inequalities Graphing systems of 3 variables Squares, cubes and beyond Multiplication of multiple term radicals

Of course, HippoCampus also offers videos, lessons, and simulations in non-developmental math, too. All are free for teachers to use in their classrooms.

Recommendations
Websites Project Share TexasA companion website to the iTunes U course with resources for all math classes K-Calculus. Northeast Arkansas Education CooperativeNumerous iBooks and instructional videos for math 7th grade and up. More resources in iTunes U courses. Public School Initiatives. Series of instructional videos which are supplemented by complete, interactive lessons at Project Share. Alg Unit Geometry at EPHSEden Prairie High School Math Dept. Nineteen instructional videos on polynomials. 5th Grade Mathematics-The Governors Study Partner Program iTunes U Courses Algebra 1 Kid2Kid Videos-On TRACK for College Readiness Algebra 11 Kid2Kid Videos-On TRACK for College Readiness Texas Education Agency/Institute for 6th Grade Mathematics-The Governors Study Partner Program 7th Grade Mathematics-The Governors Study Partner Program 8th Grade Mathematics-The Governors Study Partner ProgramTennessee State Dept of Education. These courses offer instructional videos/podcasts on a variety of math skills. 5th Grade MathNISD Instructional Technology. Five instructional videos currently available, more being added. Algebra 1Northeast Arkansas Education Cooperative. Designed for students who struggle with traditional mathematics instruction or are not classic learners. More content available at the NEA Portal.

iTunes U courses can be played from any computer that has iTunesno iPad required.