![Picture](/uploads/1/2/9/8/12986842/8688468_orig.png)
One of the neat things about my job is that I get to check out new technology, and I have to admit that I am somewhat of a "gadget freak." Those who know me well would say, "Forget 'somewhat,' he is totally a gadget freak." One of the latest gadgets we have acquired is a device called the Swivl, which is advertised as a hands-free cameraman for iPhone or iPod Touch. You can see videos of this device at: http://www.swivl.com but let me tell you a little about it.
This device enables someone to make a video of himself or herself without the need for another person to operate the camera. You might say, "Big deal, I can do that with my webcam!" The Swivl, however, enables the camera to follow you as you move; it comes with a wireless device that can be clipped on to your clothing or be attached to a lanyard that comes with the Swivl. The device also acts as a wireless microphone.
I ordered it to see if it would work for recording short lessons that could be used in the "flipped classroom" approach that I wrote about previously. I want to get some honest feedback on this device, but I don't have a classroom in which to try it. So I am looking for a teacher who would like to give it a test run for a month or more and then give me some feedback on the device itself and on the flipped classroom approach. I want to know the good and the bad so that I can make purchasing recommendations for the product. And I am curious to hear student feedback on the flipped classroom idea.
You could be that person if you meet the following criteria: 1) you are a classroom teacher who has either an iPhone or an iPod Touch with a built-in camera; 2) you already have an online site that you use regularly with your class - it could be a blog, wiki,GoogleDocs, etc.; 3) you are willing to use the device to record some short lessons that you will post on your class site; and 4) you are willing to let me share your lessons and your feedback with other teachers and staff in our Board.
If you are such a person and want to give this device a try, please contact me via FirstClass and provide me with a link to your class site. I will meet with the successful applicant, show him/her how the device works, and work out the expectations for the trial. The person chosen will get the device for a full month trial, and who knows, if the trial is successful, he/she might even be able to keep the device in his/her classroom for good. (If it works as advertised, it would be great for recording student presentations as well.)
So if you are interested, let me know.
Jeff Reaburn, Principal of Information Services
This device enables someone to make a video of himself or herself without the need for another person to operate the camera. You might say, "Big deal, I can do that with my webcam!" The Swivl, however, enables the camera to follow you as you move; it comes with a wireless device that can be clipped on to your clothing or be attached to a lanyard that comes with the Swivl. The device also acts as a wireless microphone.
I ordered it to see if it would work for recording short lessons that could be used in the "flipped classroom" approach that I wrote about previously. I want to get some honest feedback on this device, but I don't have a classroom in which to try it. So I am looking for a teacher who would like to give it a test run for a month or more and then give me some feedback on the device itself and on the flipped classroom approach. I want to know the good and the bad so that I can make purchasing recommendations for the product. And I am curious to hear student feedback on the flipped classroom idea.
You could be that person if you meet the following criteria: 1) you are a classroom teacher who has either an iPhone or an iPod Touch with a built-in camera; 2) you already have an online site that you use regularly with your class - it could be a blog, wiki,GoogleDocs, etc.; 3) you are willing to use the device to record some short lessons that you will post on your class site; and 4) you are willing to let me share your lessons and your feedback with other teachers and staff in our Board.
If you are such a person and want to give this device a try, please contact me via FirstClass and provide me with a link to your class site. I will meet with the successful applicant, show him/her how the device works, and work out the expectations for the trial. The person chosen will get the device for a full month trial, and who knows, if the trial is successful, he/she might even be able to keep the device in his/her classroom for good. (If it works as advertised, it would be great for recording student presentations as well.)
So if you are interested, let me know.
Jeff Reaburn, Principal of Information Services