YouTube is very likely blocked at your school. No the debate on viral video will not ensue. Instead we focus on application of YouTube in general and special education, specifically as a way for teachers of AAC users to help build background knowledge and to provide writing motivation. Let’s discuss both why we want to use YouTube videos in writing and how to download those videos in YouTube is in fact blocked where you are.

Students will be successful if they have a good accessible writing setup, writing strategy instruction, and the motivation to express themselves. YouTube videos can be a powerful way to engage students. Creating that feeling of “I just have to say something” may be elicited by the very funny videos of Gizmo Flushes or Eating Insects. Yet, others may be amazed by the Painting Elephant. Yet, others may be interested in sharing about the National Geographic Video Stream or the Discovery Channel’s. Maybe your more sophisticated students might like to email a friend about the Museum of Modern Art’s YouTube Video Stream. The goal of all of this is to provide fuel for the writer, inspiring them to pick up their pencil, click away at the keyboard, or use their alternative pencil.

So, check out some videos we have screened the old fashioned way, by watching them. http://otot.wikispaces.com/Writing+Setups

Here are the directions (with screenshots) for how to download YouTube Videos for free:

Download the PDF:downloading-youtube-videos

Goal: To create a library of downloaded videos that can be used to build background knowledge or be written about.

GECO Your Way to Downloading and Using YouTube Videos in Education

• Go to www.zamzar.com with your videos URL address.

o Ex… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LHoyB81LnE

• Enter the URL of the video you want to convert
• Convert the video to your preferred movie format using www.zamzar.com

o We like .mpg for use with PowerPoint!

• Open up and insert your movie into the video connection PowerPoint template, found at http://alltogether.wordpress.com/2008/06/05/downloading-youtube-videos-for-education or use the preferred software of your choice. (ICS, Clicker, etc.)

o Modify the template with a title, etc.
o Insert your video in the right spot. Resize as necessary.
o Make sure to cite the URL on the back page.

Here is a PowerPoint template that you can use for student to write about the videos you download.

Download the PowerPoint Video Connection Template: videoconnectiontemplate52908

So have fun and get motivated this summer with YouTube, even if it is blocked at your school!

Installation of Richard Serra’s sculptures at MoMA

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1sBpsyRNfM]

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I have had creating a video guide to using a step switch on one of my someday/maybe task lists for a few weeks now. I meant to do this in response to how much trouble people have with using this device, especially when they are learning about both the old and new styles. I was very pleased to stumble upon a set of how-to-videos that highlight a number of Ablenet products. I think this is a terrific resource for AAC or AT labs in SLP, Special Education, AT, OT, and any other teacher training programs that benefit from clear and easily shared training resources. Thanks Ablenet! Click the link or image to play the video.

Step-By-Step with Levels Video

Here is the link to the How-to-Videos page on the Ablenet site: http://store.ablenetinc.com/press/multimedia.aspx

“How-To” Videos
All-Turn-It Spinner		Quicktime Movie
Battery Device Adapter with Jelly Beamer		Quicktime Movie
BIG & LITTLE Step-By-Step communicator		Quicktime Movie
BIG & LITTLEmack communicator		Quicktime Movie
BookWorm literacy tool		Quicktime Movie
CRUISE adapted trackpad		Quicktime Movie
FL4SH scanning communicator		Quicktime Movie
iTalk2 communicator		Quicktime Movie
Jelly Beamer wireless switch		Quicktime Movie
Mounting systems		Quicktime Movie
PowerLink 3 control unit		Quicktime Movie
ROCK adapted joystick		Quicktime Movie
Battery-Operated Scissors with Jelly Bean switch		Quicktime Movie
Sensitrac pad with Adjustable Arm		Quicktime Movie
Switch Latch and Timers (SLATs)		Quicktime Movie
Step-By-Step with Levels		Quicktime Movie
SuperTalker progressive communicator		Quicktime Movie
Talking Symbols notepads		Quicktime Movie
WAVE adapted trackball		Quicktime Movie
FL4SH – In-Use Videos
The Out-of-the-Box Experience		Quicktime Movie
FL4SH – A Scanning Communicator		Quicktime Movie
Automatic Overlay Detection		Quicktime Movie
Building Language Libraries		Quicktime Movie
FL4SH’s Adjustable Viewing Angle		Quicktime Movie
Frame Lighting – SEE What You’re Saying		Quicktime Movie
FL4SH’s External Messages Jack		Quicktime Movie
Flexible Communication		Quicktime Movie
Ease of Use		Quicktime Movie
The Benefits of FL4SH		Quicktime Movie
An Unexpected Benefit		Quicktime Movie
Flip – In-Use Videos
Easy to Use		Quicktime Movie
Easy to Set Up		Quicktime Movie
Quiet and Convenient		Quicktime Movie
Accessibility		Quicktime Movie
Flexibility		Quicktime Movie
Shipping Details		Quicktime Movie
Personal Story Videos
Josh’s Story		Quicktime Movie

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Definitely the link to send your principal, director, or superintendent if you are trying to purchase Flip Video cameras for your classroom next year. David Pogue of the NY Times reviews it in a fun, hilarious way that demonstrates both the phenomenon and the practicality of the Flip Video.

http://video.on.nytimes.com/?fr_story=71d05f5c938be70c6e84e4b5ea8dcd0e2be70830

Also, here’s the companion article:  http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/20/technology/personaltech/20pogue.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

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You may be preparing student learning portfolios, creating a video and photo enhanced blog to show student progress, or may be recording video in the midst of a research project. Whatever the case, this post seeks to help you create an easily organized and search able database for these precious clips of video. In the latest version, iPhoto ‘08, you can add keywords quickly and efficiently, allowing an easily archived and searched database.

Watch the video podcast here or download a pdf of the help page from iPhoto:
Creating or Changing Keywords in iPhoto

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaW9SHX1nWs&hl=en]

Whether you are organizing for project name, lesson name, teaching technique, quality of filming or content, prompting levels, or student description, the point is that you can begin to have these types of categories as tags or keywords. Then you will have a powerful ability to search and find just video clips with those keywords.

Additionally, utilizing the events features of iPhoto ‘08, as well as the ability to create multiple libraries are future topics that may be helpful in this ongoing process.

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