flip-cameras.html

1. The flip does not have an image stabilizer so hold it with 2 hands or brace your arm on a table or other surface. The Gorilla tripod works well.

2. Pay attention to the background before you start shooting. Move the subject away from other students or other distracting backgrounds. When the subject is against a wall, shoot the video from an angle. It’ll sound better. Also, don’t let your subject stand in front of a sunny window.

3. Get close. It’s ok to get up close to the subject because the Mic won’t pick up the sound well from a distance. Also the image is better if you are close. There is a small zoom, but it’s better if you are close to your subject because zoomed images look fuzzy.

5. For the most appealing image use the “rule of thirds”. Put your subject at the intersection of four lines in your viewing field.

Establish a set of procedures for student use.
Five for Flips!

1. Keep the camera with you if you have signed it out.
2. Only film what you are supposed to.
3. Sign them out and back in properly.
4. After downloading, remove any videos before returning the camera.
5. Recharge the camera before return it.

If you have trouble editing in MovieMaker or other editing software, try to convert the file using Zamzar or Media Converter.

What do you do with a flip?

• Demonstrate solving math problems from the board or using manipulatives
• Describe a field trip
• Book reviews
• Visually interpret part of a story or a poem
• Interviews with family or staff members for digital storytelling
• Tour of the school for new students or parents
• Create a commercial for a product, can be great for foreign language
• Demonstration of safety procedures or lab experiment in Science
• Reinact historical event or video tape a speech in Social Studies
• Demonstration of a phenomenon or concept in Science (gravity, simple machines at a playground)
• Demonstration of skills in Gym
• Film students as they role play for character education
• Video tape of lesson or student interaction for professional development strategies
• Video podcast for every reason