Mozuku

One of the keynote speakers at the Wireless Ready conference on March 29 was Russsel Stannard. With a background in EFL and a degree in multimedia, he has done something simple and garnered a lot of attention, including articles in the Guardian and Times as well as invitations to talk at conferences such as Wireless Ready. That simple thing is to adapt screen capture software for the use of providing feedback for students. In his case, he uses Camtesia by TechSmith. What he does is “video” himself correcting a student’s written assignment, recording himself highlighting sections of the text, drawing marks, and making audio comments. He then sends those videos to students in the form of Flash or Windows media files (or others) and students open them up, listen to the corrections and suggestions and then redo their written work and send it back. Technically simple and pedagogically powerful. And the students apparently love it. At his website, you can find out more information, see example videos, and even watch instructional videos that show you how to do it (as well as other things). This is something I am definitely going to try in the new school year (starting tomorrow!!).