Nothing can spoil a good video than the absence of adequate lighting. Make sure you have adequate lighting for your video. Too many videos are made and it's not until much too late that the creator has realized that you can't see what you need to see, and clearly! Use as much natural light as possible, but make sure you turn on all of the lights in the room you're going to use!

Plan out your video! You end up with a much more cogent piece of work, and you tell the story that you really want to tell. Flying by the seat-of-your-pants never works for creating a video for this type of audience.

High Definition is clearer, and you always want a clearer picture! Enough said!

Pretty basic idea but you would be surprised how many videos are produced that look like they were put together without any idea of what kind of story the creator wanted to tell. What's your hook? How will you sustain the viewer? What kind of a powerful conclusion do you wish to make, and ensure that your viewer understands?

If you can, use two or more video cameras so that you can give different views on the subject(s) with maximum effect. It will give you more options with the software you use to edit your work. Remember, you want to win this thing!

Where am I getting my professional development (PD)? And how do I keep pace with the innovation and staying ahead of the curve? As you've probably gathered, I attend many face-to-face conferences. Although there is a growing trend toward webcasting and using social networking tools like twitter (fast becoming my professional learning network (PLN)) to provide opportunities for virtual delegates.  I'm becoming more reflective and in tune with the realities of the school market these days. I stopped into the Ontario Teacher Federation 21st Century PD session last week where over 100 educators where immersed in hands-on face-to-face PD exploring some of the latest and greatest software tools for the classroom. Doug Peterson,  computer guru, Greater Essex County District School Board very nicely summarized the conference in his recent blog.

Back to reality. The very same week, I was working with my grade 8 twin boys in completing their first PowerPoint Project (don't get me started), where the teacher asked them to burn a DVD, so he could play it as a movie on his TV in the class.  This assignment came with no written instructions and no in class time. Nor did the teacher have a clue as to how to help with any technical challenges.  I am not a "techie," although I am fairly technical. However, after spending more than 10 hours teaching and helping support the project completion, I was reminded that this is the reality of public education and that not all schools are created equally.  We worked collaboratively to get the task done and the boys did finish with good grades. Fortunately, I had the technology to do the job, however, other kids didn't have the access and I don't know whether the one computer lab at school with the bubble Macs (are we talking almost a decade old?) were accessible.  What a humbling and sobering experience dealing with the realities of ICT in schools.

Just two weeks ago, I visited the Lakeshore Discovery School in the Greater Essex County District School Board. I toured the school with the Superintendent, John Howitt and Doug Peterson, who kindly arranged for the tour.  It was truly a state-of-the-art school with leading-edge technology and 300 artifacts displayed throughout the school that enables teachers to go on "mini field trips" to explore dinosaur, Leonardo DaVinci, or Egyptian artefacts. Where's the equity in our public school system? The scenario replays itself across the country.  Further, how do we prepare teachers to deliver 21st Century learning, when we're still back in the 20th Century? I honestly cannot blame my sons' teacher. He is only doing his job with the tools that he's provided. Most schools still frown on teachers bringing in their own laptops. Perhaps new standards for ICT across the country endorsed by CMEC would be a good start.

Sorry, I digress from my usual highlights of the past month's activities, but felt it was apropos, given the theme topic of the month.

I enjoyed catching up with Karina LeBlanc, VP Business Development, Virtual Expert Clinics, Inc. recently while in town. They are a start-up company from New Brunswick, who have developed a software solution, AutismPro that was designed by leading experts in the field. They have a sharp management team that includes Kevin Custer, CEO, who is an old friend from the EdTech space.  I'm planning to catch their upcoming webinar on November 10th.

Malcolm Gladwell is on the roll with yet another new book entitled, What the Dog Saw. I enjoyed Outliers and Tipping Point and will be sure to pick-up his newest release featured in our recommended reading list.  Although Malcolm lives in the U.S., he is a very proud Canadian as is evident in a recent tweet I came across on his site. "Nearly forgot the magnitude with which I love Canada. Can't say how much I appreciate the feedback post events, and as per the new book."  While chatting with Linda Fabi, Director, Waterloo District School Board, she shared that Malcolm, a graduate of the district, who grew up in Elmira, Ontario, talks annually to their management team. His brother is also a principal at the board.

It was great meeting Renée L. Villeneuve,  AIM Program - AIM Language Learning, an observing company at the ERDI conference recently.  Renee has the best of both worlds where she divides her time teaching at Havergal College in Toronto and working as a curriculum consultant for AIM Language Training. The AIM Program has proven to be a revolutionary approach to second language instruction. It is based upon the use of stories and music for the teaching of French. Specifically designed tales in the form of plays become the focus of the whole gamut of exciting activities that help students develop confidence and competence in the language as they progress through each unit.

I enjoyed participating in a virtual gathering with the Pepperdine University Online Learning Technology Community last week in my role as alumni president of MA EdTech program. The topic presented by a fellow alum, Kathy Milhauser, Program Director at City University of Seattle School of Management, was most intriguing, Distributed Teams - Keys to Effective Collaboration. Kathy "Cat" Milhauser is a recognized expert on distributed team collaboration with valuable experiences gleaned from her tenure at Nike, Inc where she spearheaded their Global Learning Initiative.  Milhauser is currently working on a book devoted to this topic with IGI Publishing. It was great to reconnect with Dr. Margaret Riel, Dr. Paul Sparks and fellow alumni. Special thanks to Claudette LaCour, Director Advancement at Pepperdine University, GSEP Faculty.

I would be remiss if I didn't thank Mike Sproule, COO, Education Canada Network, a new partner to MindShare Learning for his hospitality while in Kelowna recently. It was great to tour the offices and get to know the company and the people behind the scenes. They are certainly leading the way in Canada in providing with the education career portal.

Publisher & Managing Editor, The MindShare Learning Report™
President, MindShare Learning™
www.mindsharelearning.com  

 Before printing think about the Environment. Avant l' impression, il faut penser à l'Environnement.