Video Demos

Why Video Demos? If there is anything a kid hates more than homework, it is sitting through a fifteen minute demonstration of a technique. I've found that the best way to give a demonstration is to...not give a demonstration. I have a youtube channel that students can access at anytime to get videos demonstrating a variety of art projects. So far it has been very effective. My students are engaged in learning, and those that need extra help have an outlet that they can refer to before coming to me with additional questions.

How do video tutorials help students? Using video tutorials allows students to rewind, pause, fast forward, and rewatch the demonstrations until they have the exact information they need. For students that already know a skill, or feel like they have a handle on the lesson, they can get started right away. For those that need more help, they can watch the video as many times as the want, or can keep it up in front of them to refer to as they go through the step by step process.

What makes a video work? The key to an effective video is timing and entertainment value. None of us want to sit through a 15 minute demonstration, especially in this day and age when so much information can be accessed instantly online. I try to keep all of my videos to no more that 3 minutes (The above video is the longest one I have, but contains two different demos in one video. There is a part one and a part two.) Not only does keeping it short keep students interested, but it also gives them more time to actively make art! What more can you ask for?

I also avoid talking during my videos. There is nothing worse than hearing your voice playing out of three or four different computers or iPads around the room. Instead I have words at the bottom of the screen for those that need that kind of direct instruction. If I play a lesson video in front of the whole class, I can talk through the video while they watch. I point out where they find certain materials in the room, where they can put work when it is done, what other options are available... Some students need these verbal queues, and it also makes my lessons easily transferable if I am in a different space, or if things in the room move around.

Don't forget to add music. Students love listening to music, and they will ask you why there isn't music if you forget to add it...but I try to keep the music levels down in the video, and I make sure that it is something without words so I am able to talk over it when giving instruction.

What do the students think? Kids, especially those in elementary school are ruthless. They will tell you exactly how it is. Things they will notify you of if they don't like your video:

• "This is boring" (Maybe the video is too long?)

• "You should have sped up this part" (Keep it quick when you are doing the actual making)

• "Why is there no music?" (Remember that entertainment value...)

• "It's so wobbly!" (Make sure that your camera is stabilized well)

• "Why is it so dark?" (I can't emphasize this enough: Lighting is key!)

Not everything they say will be about the negative stuff though. Student feedback is important, and can help you make better videos, but it can also show you what you are doing right. The best feedback you can get from a students is: "Wow! That looks like fun!" Students love to see you having fun in your videos. If it looks like you are enjoying yourself, they will get more excited about the project. They also love to see your art! Especially in elementary school, it is hard to find time to actually make art with the students. Some of them need the inspiration of seeing what the finished product can look like.

How do demo videos help the teacher? Oh my goodness! They are the best! Not only is it an opportunity for you to get creative and make art before the lesson, but it also means you don't have to do the demo over and over again when you have many different classes working on the same thing. It is also a good line of defense against questions. If a student doesn't get it, they can watch the video again before coming to you with questions. It saves a lot of time. It is also incredibly helpful in your material prepping. You will notice things that don't work, you will find materials that need replacing, you will run into every snag that a student would when making the project. Figuring out these issues before sending your students out to make art is very important.

How do I get started? I recommend starting by setting up a nice clean space to make your demo video. You can get cool phone holders and such to prop up your phone and keep it stable, but you can slo get creative. My fist video was filmed in a closet with my phone strapped to the hanging bar with a belt. I've filmed videos through bed springs too. There are many options, but if you have the money: get the phone holder...

Play around with the editing tools you want to use. Try speeding up and slowing down parts of your video. Try cutting out sections. Do you want to talk or do you want to just play music? How do you want the video to run? Should you try this again with other materials? Will your students be able to follow this? If you watch your video through a few times and you find it boring or unhelpful, try reworking it a little. I use iMovie, but there are many different video editing apps out there. Find the one that works best for you.

QR codes are a great way to post your videos around the art room. Maybe you could set up an inspiration board or different studios with different types of tutorial. By using QR codes, students can scan and be sent to whatever video they want very quickly. It keeps them on course without getting lost in the web during class.

Remember: Art class should be fun! If you don't have fun making demo videos, don't do it. It isn't everyones cup of tea, and there are always already made videos online. Maybe you can find a channel you like and just use those. Good Luck!