Designing+and+Evaluating+Investigations+with+Paper+Slide+Videos

Kristy Lathrop 8th grade science teacher Mesa Middle School Douglas County School District lathrop.kristy(at)gmail.com
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I first learned about paper slide videos this summer at the Discovery Educator Network ISTE Pre-Conference. The technique was developed by Dr. Lodge McCammon. Here is a link to his instructional video. "Paper Slide Videos" are a low tech way of integrating technology. In fact, their simplicity reduces the focus on the technology and places it on the content. They are designed to be recorded in one take, without any editing. I allow my students to record their videos using Flip Cameras, digital cameras, iPod Nanos (the kind with the camera), iPod Touch's, cell phones... Truly, if they have a camera in their pocket, I allow it to be used because I believe in using free (to me) technology!

I used paper slide videos to refresh an assessment. In the past, I would have written a quiz that assesses my students' understanding of the scientific method and how accurately they can evaluate an investigation. Sometimes, I pulled in CSAP released items, but I mostly wrote my own questions.

This year, I decided to improve my assessment by asking my students to design investigations and questions to be included on the quiz. This was my sample video used for discussion. media type="file" key="Boiling water paper slide.mov" width="300" height="300"

My students had 20 minutes to formulate their ideas during one class period. Next, they had 90 minutes on a block day to create their slides, practice, and record their videos. Here are a couple videos created by students.

media type="file" key="Quistorff Paper Slide.mov" width="300" height="300"

media type="file" key="Claire Paper Slide.mov" width="300" height="300"

As you can see, each video included a question to be used on the quiz. Here is a link to part of our quiz. We saved these videos to our server. I reserved a computer lab for our assessment. Each student had to bring or borrow headphones. I allowed the students to work at their own pace, watching each video from their class and answering the corresponding question in the quiz. Here are some student responses.


 * What are the independent and dependent variables for this experiment?**


 * What question are we trying to investigate?**


 * What are some possible sources for error in this experiment?**


 * What is a possible hypothesis for this procedure?**

I feel that this form of assessment allows me to see my students' strengths and areas of improvement. My students were also able to practice collaborating, communicating, and self evaluation.