One Science Teacher Spreads the Word

I found this video by Chris Lehmann on Will Richardson's site Weblogg-ed. While the message Chris presents is certainly timely and important, I'm looking at this as a teacher teaching. Watch the video once for content, and once looking at the following things:

• Is the production of professional quality?
• Is there teaching going on? Is it effective?
• What resources/costs are involved in this video?
• What was involved in planning this?

In my opinion, this is a very attainable standard for many teachers out there. While the idea that video tutorials/lessons are well accepted as effective, many teachers feel they do not have the resources or studio that's required to create effective videos. Too much TV or movie time? Maybe... but more likely, our idea of what is required is mixed up in 'show' instead of content.

Mr. Lehmann's video shows the teacher's voice. We get a good sense of who he is as a teacher, and maybe that is part of what makes this lesson effective. The key, in my opinion, is in the planning. Obviously, there was substantial planning doing before the camera turned on, but as for the production, this is easily attainable with a webcam and one person, with some simple editing software, the same kind that comes with most webcams. There are no grandiose special effects, no professional graphics, just one guy, an idea, and a whiteboard (OK, some fun fire and brimstone toys too, but not really required).

This is an excellent example of what a passionate teacher can create with some practice, effective planning, and opportunity and motivation to TRY something.

Enjoy...