Google Search Stories Video Creator in Education

Update: Google Search Stories Video Creator is no longer supported :(

While looking for a quick and painless way to highlight some key ideas for my classes in a creative way, I was reminded of Google Search Stories Video Creator.  Below are two short videos I created and uploaded to YouTube with in a matter of minutes. I will use the first one to highlight key concepts students in my Second Language Acquisition course should know at the end of a weekly reading/discussion. This second video is a result of a brainstorm that shows key components I want to include in a Tech for Teachers course I am in the process of creating.

Second Language Acquisition Video

 

Educational Technology Video

Google Search Stories Video Creator is literally as easy as one, two three.  1. Type in key words/phrases and select the type of search you want Google to do: web search, images, maps, news, blog search, product search, or books. 2. Choose music from a limited selection  3. Upload to YouTube. 

This is pretty basic, but it  gets the job done and is simple enough for students to learn and use with limited time.  I wish I could adjust the speed and have more control, but this activity could be used as a stepping stone for engaging students in video productions where given the right tools, they problem solve how to do just this.

Met Ed: I was reminded of this tool by Richard Byrne on Free Technology For Teachers where he suggests students use it to make documenting the research process a bit more exciting.  I like the idea of having students demonstrate the main ideas in a reading by pulling out key phrases and creating videos with Google Search Stories Video Creator.  Students could also use it to create an advertisement for a product  where each search term represents an aspect of the product that is revealed at the end.  There is room for creativity and integration in various content areas!

How could Google Search Stories Video Creator support student learning and engagement in your class?

TED Ed Initial Lauch

It's no secret that I'm a big TED Talks fan, so today's part 1 launch of TED Ed's You Tube Channel put a smile on my face.  Chris Anderson gives the background Behind Today's TED Ed Launch. Chris explains that the "prime goal... is short lessons that spark curiosity. That deliver memorable 'aha' moments. That make learning thrilling."  Sounds good to me!  Watch the introduction video below.

The Playing With Language short featured playlist caught my attention.  Questions No One (Yet) Knows the Answer To already sparked my curiosity.  Chris's own video is the intro to the series that could promote discussion and be a spin-off to classroom discussion.  You can watch it below.  Also, check out all of the other featured playlists, which include Awesome Nature, How Things Work, and Inventions that Shaped History.  I know I will.

TED Ed is inviting teachers to share lessons and contribute.  It is inviting animators to contribute too. Stay tuned for the launching of part 2 next month which promises to "open up a new section of ted.com devoted to TED-Ed and offer some powerful new tools to teachers." Sounds interesting.

Happy exploring or maybe even contributing!  Feel free to explore my related past TED Talks posts here.

First Annual Open Education Week March 5-10

The first annual Open Education week will be held March 5-10 online and at various locations around the world.  It “is about sharing, reducing barriers and increasing access in education.  It includes free and open access to platforms, tools and resources in education (such as learning materials, course materials, videos of lectures, assessment tools, research, study groups, textbooks, etc.)” (About Open Education).  There will be more than 40 online webinars related to the topic of open education.  Check out the schedule and links to webinars here.  Follow the hashtag #openeducationwk.  

You can explore the site prior to the conference.  Read the welcome post.  Find out FAQs about Open Education, discover resources, and explore participating organizations.  They represent some amazing possibilities! Check out current projects.  Wikiwjs is an Example of a National Strategy on OER.  It is an example showing how the Dutch have been sharing from primary school to universities.  Here’s an interestng  link to OER K-12 BillPasses in U.S. Washington State.

Check out two of the featured presentations:  David Wiley in his TEDx NYED video and Cathy Casserly CEO of Creative Commons.  It’s interesting stuff!

As a side note, I discovered this through +Jason Neiffer of Montana Digital Academy at a time I was questioning the relevance of Google +, Twitter, etc in education.  I’ll keep at it.  Thanks Jason, and thanks for the follow!  It looks like Jason will be in a panel discussion with OER in K-12 Thurs, March 8 9 am Central.  It’s a bit early morning for me; the good news is that it sounds like the webinars will be made available after the sessions are over.

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