Thoughts on Audio and Visual Tools: Unsung Heros, Limitless Opportunity

I really love using audio and video applications. Especially in educational environments, both as a facilitator and a learner. In exploring audio and video applications for crafting compelling presentations and showcasing personal learning, my recent experiences in my graduate program have led me to favor Studio by Instructure, Canva Video, and Adobe Express Video. I tend to gravitate toward using them because they are visually appealing, there is a lot of control over settings and layering, they are intuitive to use and easy to edit. 

Currently, I have experience using a variety of video and audio tools, including Flip, Loom, Studio by Instructure, Screencastify, BookCreator, iMovie, Clips, Adobe Express Video, Canva, the built-in video tool on iPad and iPhone, Garage Band, Snagit, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Seesaw, and more. The use of these tools is integral to my role in facilitating growth in others, with video often being the preferred medium (once initial reservations like "I sound like that?" or "I look like that?" are overcome). I am always learning, and on my list of video/audio tools to explore are: WeVideo, OBS, and Adobe Premiere. Also, I am intrigued by Swivl devices.

When contemplating the integration of screencasting into the instructional setting, it's easy to substitute video in various student responses. The transformative impact becomes evident when learners are provided with a tool and space to articulate their thoughts aloud. This approach opens up opportunities for a deeper understanding, fostering an environment where students can express themselves through video, enhancing engagement and comprehension in the learning process.

In Canvas and Seesaw, our school district LMS, you can give video feedback on student work, and boy is that powerful. I can speak to that from an instructional coach, educator, and parent side. As a coach, I can give “just in time” support to my teachers learning and trying new things, and build a bank to have as a reference. As an educator, it not only helped build discourse but helped build academic vocabulary, helped improve writing (if you can’t talk about an idea, you definitely can’t write about it), helped improve comprehension (again, if you can’t communicate your understanding verbally, you have a hard time answering other people’s), and engagement. It can also break down language barriers. In some video and audio tools, you can record in your native language and translate it into a different language. Talk about powerful! As a parent, my kids love to hear from their teacher what they understood and their next steps to grow-it’s motivating and makes them feel like their work was something to be proud of and worthwhile. 

Speaking of feedback, it's time to reflect on that journey of feedback vs. feedforward. I love that this is revisited so frequently. My collaborative learning group is getting great at feedforward. I think it’s a learning curve, switching from feedback to feedforward. Especially when working with peers you are just meeting. It's so easy to stick with the "right vs. wrong" and point out the nitty gritty. It's more challenging and it takes some time to dig into someone else's ideas and provide something that helps them refine and grow that idea further. Some members are naturally very good at it. I've observed that it normally takes me a week or so into the new courses to get into the swing, but once I feel comfortable with the ideas, I feel I can contribute more meaningful feedforward and not just encouragement. 

Also, throughout this graduate program, I have come to truly rely on and appreciate the feedforward from the professors so far. I feel like it is genuine and personal, and the authentic goal is for everyone to succeed. I know that if time allows, I can use video tools to talk through my work and my ideas, and through some quality questions and great listening, the professor helps get my wheels going. Again, it’s that culture built through live lessons, breakout room discussions, etc. Our Teaching Assistant leaves excellent technical written feedforward. I know I have grown in APA 7th edition thanks to his written comments. When Dr. H did screen recording feedback on my work I knew that took his time to holistically evaluate it. When Dr. G met with me to talk through my presentation, she was genuinely interested and left meaningful feedforward on my submission. When Dr. B met with me after class to chat with me about how my job-related, in-person professional learning went, she offered great feedforward that left me encouraged in my professional work, in addition to my coursework.

Overall, the use of video and audio tools seems to be an essential component of digital learning. It's important to explore and find one that suits the needs of the outcome, facilitators, and learners. There are so many to choose from, it doesn't have to be a one-size-fits-all. That is the cool part of being where we are today...so many options and opportunities!