Professional Learning Goals

The main learning goal was for us to embrace technology and utilize it, not only to aid us in the classroom, but also to help protect us in case there is an accident or injury in our shop. Specifically, we learned how to use video cameras, wireless microphones, video editing software and video format conversion software. Further to this, we learned more about various features available in our teacher websites, such as creating tests that mark themselves for each piece of equipment. Unexpectedly, we also became familiar with QR codes and their ability to direct people to our videos.

Using what we have learned, a student can now approach a piece of equipment in our construction and transportation lab, use their phone to scan a QR code, and they will then be automatically directed to a video demonstrating how to use that piece of equipment.

Activities and Resources

We performed a wide variety of activities to achieve our goal. From the very basics of shooting raw video footage of us using the equipment and editing, to creating a YouTube channel and uploading our work for all to access, and everything in-between. We had to research QR codes and research their usage as well.

Unexpected Challenges

One unexpected challenge we encountered was during the editing of the videos. This is an excellent example of how the simplest of things can cause the biggest issues. We quickly came to realize that in order for our videos to have a polished and professional look, we needed to introduce opening and closing music. Such a simple task ballooned into a week-long delay once we considered copyright issues. In the end, we researched and found music that we were able to acquire the rights to at no cost. We then had to use an audio editor to create short clips of the music that could be used during the introduction and closing credits. Many, many hours were dedicated to just this one small area simply to provide 20 seconds worth of music! In the end, it did add an entire new element to the work, and we deemed it to be worth the extra effort.

Enhancing Student Learning and Development

This project has enhanced student learning in a very progressive way. Instead of trying to remove the dreaded cellphone from our classrooms, we have managed to sneak our classrooms on to the cellphones. Students can now walk up to a piece of equipment in our construction and transportation labs, scan a QR code, and a video will automatically begin to play on their phone demonstrating how to safely use that piece of equipment. This is useful when students may have missed the initial demonstration at the start of term, or if the student has forgotten how to use the equipment and needs a review. It enhances student safety and further shows how we as teachers are doing our due diligence in making sure students are being provided with adequate training resources.

Sharing

This project is easily shared with teachers in our board and could be extended to other boards, as well. The videos are available on my YouTube channel and other teachers will only require the URL for each video to access them. The tests we created are easily shared with other teachers in my school board that maintain a website. They simply have to do a search for “Safety” within our board website system and the videos will appear for download.

We plan to share our work at subject council meetings in the next school year.

Project Evaluation

Ultimately, our project was successful and our goals were met, but the project did evolve as it progressed. Videos were reshot and edited multiple times, and the idea of using QR codes was introduced in order to make our work more accessible to the students.

The success of the project will have be measured over the upcoming school year, and it will be based on how often students access our videos and how effective the demonstrations are. We are anticipating positive results.

As with any project, there has been a natural evolution and there are many things I would do differently in the future. First and foremost, I would change the format we used for the online tests. These tests are a dream because students can login anywhere and any time to complete them, and they mark themselves. We created the tests using our school board’s website template which makes them easily shared with other teachers in our board, however, they can’t be shared outside of our board. I would like to do more research into Google Classroom as I suspect there is a way to create similar online tests that will be more easily shared.

Lastly, this project has laid the foundation for future professional development. Now that we are well-versed in creating online resources, we will be creating more resources for minor pieces of equipment and other safety videos. This really has been the genesis of something much greater that will be developed over the coming years.