Thread: "Will you make us a video?"

I started experimenting with practice clips a few moths ago. My students didn't ask, but I wanted to know if I could manage all the technical details (taping, converting, editing) and if it would help students to remember the choreo. Sofar I've got a clip online and two parts of the choreo seperately. I've put them on youtube because I didn't know how to upload them on my own site. It's a practice clip, not an instructional clip. Some of my students really improved by rpacticing at home. They are better at recognizing changes in the music and remembering the combo's so they can work on arms/posture/expression.

If you're curious, I made a student practice page . The text next to the clip are my notes on the choreo, thoug Ialso encourage them to take notes in their own words.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

What do you when your students keep asking for a video so they can practice at home?

My students specifically want our choreographies on video. I've allowed one student to come in & videotape the classroom, providing she'd make copies for the other students. That was a bit of a mess, just because of coin scarf noise, etc. AND those students are mostly gone now but I'm still teaching that choreo & I don't want to go through the whole thing once every year or so!

Once I did it for them for free, just me in my living room, but just making copies was such a hassle I vowed never to do it again!

Now and then a student will suggest that if I make a video with several choreographies on it (broken down & performed) they'd buy it. I've actually considered it -- it would be clearly homemade & very cheap (under $10), of course, but could be a small revenue stream for me over time & a great help to the students.

BUT I'm so afraid that it'll get 'Out There' into the world somehow.

I'm not an instructional-video caliber teacher, and I don't want anyone thinking I'm presenting myself that way, know what I mean?

Has anyone done this? Or have other ideas on the subject?

Back in my baby dancer days I remember my fabulous teacher (mum) making a choreo video for the class. That was when it was one class, multilevel. I think she still did it even when there was 4 classes or so of different levels. But now we are up to over a dozen classes with a number of teachers it's just not practical.

Really I think it stopped because even teaching a single class takes A Lot Of Time. Creating choreographies or technique combinations, lesson plans, set up, writing handouts and so on. And taking a video, then copying it for everyone is just an excessive time commitment unless you're a very small school.

Students expectations became higher, they Expected a video as part of the class fee and were resentful if they missed it. Students wanted a video because they couldn't make all classes, students wanted a video of what other classes were doing, students expected us to keep track of what they Didn't have a video of, students would use the lack of a video as an excuse for not learning the choreo. Like I said, on a smaller scale this is manageable but it can easily get out of hand.

I love the mekyria's idea of having a 'students' part of her website where they can go and revise. I love the idea of anything that makes it Easier for the students to learn. But there is a need to be practical about how much of Yourself and Your time you are giving your students.

As for the video getting illegally or unethically distributed I don't think that is a major concern unless you are a Name teacher.

Originally Posted by danidance

Elljay,

It seems like you are talking about students who will take dvd of a choreography and then never go to class. For me - it's a tool - not a substitute for a teacher.

I suppose you have to just know your students and judge how they will be able to use such a tool.

Yes. I do think that DVDs can definitely be a good learning tool, I didn't intend to imply otherwise. What I've suggested to students who want one is to get together outside of class with the group and videotape themselves, then go home and use it for practice. Some students have done this and have benefitted greatly from it! Ironically, they refused to share the video with the students who didn't bother showing up to tape it.

I just find most often that the students who ask me for videos are indeed the ones who don't put the effort into learning and think that simply watching the DVD over and over will help them remember. They don't seem to get that I can't do all the work for them. Obviously that doesn't apply to students who really put in effort.

Originally Posted by NandaDncer

Students expectations became higher, they Expected a video as part of the class fee and were resentful if they missed it. Students wanted a video because they couldn't make all classes, students wanted a video of what other classes were doing, students expected us to keep track of what they Didn't have a video of, students would use the lack of a video as an excuse for not learning the choreo. Like I said, on a smaller scale this is manageable but it can easily get out of hand.

Oh, Nanda. Oh, my. Of course they do all that! I never thought about that aspect.

My students are all extremely Nice people, but... I've dealt with all of the above regarding printed notes and music, of course it would come up with video as well.

Of course anything set up purely as a result of demand has the potential to get crazy if it hasn't allowed for growth. I would still say go for it.

If students are clear on what the purpose of these tapes are and their rights and responsibilities are in regards to the supply and use of them, well then, I won't say "you can't go wrong" but you've made a good start on avoiding mis-understandings.

The only thing left is to be clear yourself on what Your purpose is in supplying these tapes. Is there a more efficient way for you to achieve the same goal? I don't know how many students you have but could you still do this with a student base of 50? or more? how much time are you willing to commit to making videos for your students?

Well to say the least! i have a few videos i got from a swap meet!!! a Jillina demo tape, I had an old Suhaila vhs tape (got a lot of money for it too, when i sold it) Rania performance tape that says on it for students who took her classes or workshops. So if you make a video whether its a casual or pro...it will be out there!