From time to time I am asked to answer interview questions for some organization, or upcoming conference, so that the interview can be shared with other educators. Many educators are asked to provide these videos as a common practice. It is not as timely, or spontaneous as SKYPE or a Google Hangout, but it is portable and controllable, so that makes it preferable too many people. They can edit and tie it into others and then send it out to their audience, or present it in a gala presentation for all to see.
Unfortunately, not every video interview makes it to the final production for a myriad of reasons. Sometimes only a snippet of a larger version makes it into the final production. For those of us who figured out how to make a video, and took the time to do so, it is always a little disappointing not to make it in the final production. My best takeaway is that I figured out how to use iMovie on my own to put it all together. Of course I should point out that this is but another connected learning benefit.
The organizers of The BAMMY AWARDS recently asked me to do such an interview tape. It was to be a rough-cut video that they would edit to professional status. It would include a quick introduction of myself, followed by my answers to three questions.
1 How has being a Connected Educator helped you in dealing with all the demands of an educator today?
2 Can you give a specific example of how being a Connected Educator has changed your practice?
3 What would you say to a non-Connected Educator to convince him/her of the value in being connected?
I pondered the questions, considered the creativity, checked out the App, found a relaxed setting, gathered costumes, screwed up my courage, and took the plunge. After a few starts and stops, I began to get the hang of it, and I was off on yet another thing that I was doing for the first time as a result of connected learning, and the support and encouragement from my social media colleagues. I even opened a YouTube account to house my production upon its conclusion. My 6 minute and 13 second production was uploaded to a predetermined file-sharing app, so that it could be edited by the BAMMY Staff before the big event.
I attended the Washington D.C. event awaiting the unveiling of the Connected Educator Production before the hundreds of educators in the audience. After all it was a red carpet, black tie affair, so I began to feel as if it was my personal premiere. The video came up on the big screen with the images of education thought leaders giving their answers to the very same questions that I had deftly dealt with. Of course they had no costume changes. That a little something extra that would most likely assure me the creativity award, if anyone were to give one. About three-quarters through the production, I was still on the edge of my seat knowing my digitized face should pop up at any second with pearls of wisdom cascading from my lips to the throngs of applause from the gathered crowd of educators. Then it happened. I did appear on the big screen. My heart stopped for about 10 seconds. Not that my heart stopped working for 10 seconds, but that was how long my appearance was in that very professional, and very impressive production – 10 seconds. My creative informative sage wisdom of 6 minutes and 13 seconds was edited down to about 10 seconds. The worst of it was that no one even knew I had three costume changes.
Of course I asked what happened of the folks in charge, and they had reasonable explanations for the cuts that they made and the pieces that they included. I had no recourse, but to accept my fate and go unrecognized for my video creation. That is when I realized I am a Connected Educator. I do not need an organization, producer, or publisher to share my ideas, works and accomplishments with other educators. I can count on myself to do that. I could also get it to a much greater audience with the added power of my Personal Learning Network and Social Media.
Without further ado, I would like to share with you, the very rough-cut version of “My Connected Educator Interview”. Please feel free to pass it along to friends and colleagues connected, or not. Please take special care to note the costume changes.
I enjoyed the video, Tom. And awesome costume changes, too! 🙂
Poignantly written. Costumes notes! Extra gold star given. 🙂
I enjoyed the whole video, thanks to the Bammy scissors people, otherwise you wouldn´t have considered uploading it here, and I wouldn´t have been able to watch it. Wise words as usual, thank you, your comments on twitter helped ME out of my comfort zone and will be presenting a paper at #FAAPI13 in Argentina, hoping to get more educators on board, I will carry a sign that says: “Want to be connected, here´s the place to start!”
It really heats up at 3:50ish. Here is the crux..what to say to unconnected educators. What you say is powerful here….if a teacher is not comfortable with digital literacy, they are an illiterate teacher. I don’t fully agree…but it made the wheels turn and crank. Will be chewing on that thought today.
Enjoyed the video – very informational. Couple of items that resonated with me:
1. Information is constantly changing and to stay relevant, we need connect to and share our ideas with other educators
2. Digital literacy of teachers . . . in our district I am considering how I can support our staff to define digital literacy and provide examples, as well as support them in learning how to participate using some of the digital literacy tools.
Many teachers are open to the idea of learning something new but not sure where to start. Knowing they are supported by a community of educators may give them the confidence to begin learning more about digital literacy.
After listening to you for the last few months on the edchat radio, it’s good to meet you! Thanks for posting this. As connected educators, we should all consider recording video responses to these questions. Great idea!
I feel better about being connected on Twitter. I learn so much from my PLN team. I make it a goal to check on my account daily. I’m using Twitter for PD as a #connectededucator.
[…] educator with over 40 years teaching experience, blogs about being connected as an educator. Watch the video in his blog for his take on being connected. Whitby agrees that on their own, teachers won’t choose things that are uncomfortable. Change, […]
[…] From time to time I am asked to answer interview questions for some organization, or upcoming conference, so that the interview can be shared with other educators. Many educators are asked to provide these videos as a … […]
I agree Tom. I like your take on not allowing our teachers to be digital illiterates. Takes some solid planning by progressive admin but it will be done or education will be undone by its own slow pace. Ed is notoriously slow to change. No longer can that be true if we want to keep pace with our VERY connected kids. I’m a convert of the no baby steps speak. Thank you.