Future YouTubers Unite!

Before vacation students spent some time installing and using the Screencastify extension so they could record video of the work they are doing on their Chromebooks. On the first day they explored the recording features before editing a how to video creation of mine for making new folders in Google Drive. Students were tasked with cropping out the extra details like the background edges, their docking station, and more. Next they trimmed out my intentional sneeze and any parts that I purposely repeated to get the 1:14 video down to under 45 seconds. Another tool they were asked to incorporate was the zoom tool. This tool was used to zoom in on important elements, like clicking on a button, viewing a pop up window, or naming the folder. They also needed to add a title and export it as an .mp4 file so it can be used with multiple video player platforms. Some students went above and beyond with the title tool adding "closed captions" to expand their viewing audience and be inclusive of those with hearing challenges. This was an option but so nice to see. They are so awesome! See the examples below. 

How to Video to Make	a Google Drive Folder

We will utilize this tool again for future projects, like more how to videos for the tools we are using in class, prerecording a presentation for those who are nervous presenting on the fly, and more. Stay tuned! 

Currently classes are working on building digital avatars of themselves which will be used in upcoming projects. Fifth and sixth graders will use their avatars in other projects during our time together. Each term we further explore these tools with another focus, i.e. presidents. This term we will focus on famous people of color for Black History Month. I'm so excited to see what they create and can't wait to share their awesomeness again you. :)