Thursday, March 12, 2015

Kaltura by Kari Emineth

This past summer I taught ESS 281: Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries online. The course has a lab component in which students need to demonstrate various hands-on skills. I was able to evaluate the lab skills of students in the online course through student video demonstrations, using Kaltura for storing and submitting video through D2L.

I created and included in the course several instructional videos that demonstrated the hands-on skills. Students were asked to view the videos and practice the skills prior to assessment. Students were aware that only 4 skills would be randomly assigned for each assessment but all skills introduced were possible options. Prior to assessment, students were instructed on how to create the video demonstration using either a webcam or mobile phone. An area was provided in D2L to practice the process of recording and uploading, simulating what would be required during the actual timed assessments. 

During the day of the lab skill assessment, a quiz was activated which randomly assigned four skills that needed to be demonstrated as well as randomly assigning the student a "code word" that needed to be said in their video delivery to verify the video is a new recording during the assessment period. Once the student entered the quiz they had 2 hours to create the videos and upload the videos to the appropriate D2L Dropbox. In the Dropbox students were instructed to upload a provided file for submission but more importantly to add a comment to their submission and either (1) Insert Stuff > WebCam recording or (2) Insert Stuff > Upload Video (adding a video taken from their phone or other recording device), which attached their video to the Dropbox submission. This option was used because it allowed me to view and grade videos inline from one screen, quickly navigating from one student to the next while grading and providing feedback immediately after watching the video.

The directions given spelled out step-by-step instructions in the syllabus and a practice submission process (quiz and dropbox) were available prior to the assessments; students could complete the practice as many times as desired. Those that practiced were given greater flexibility should technical issues occur during an assessment. I also provided those students feedback on the submissions to aid in their studying.

Overall, this worked very well. I worked hard to make sure I outlined the directions clearly and explained my expectations step-by-step. I provided information about the video recorded lab assessments to students upon registration to the course so students could self-select if the course would be conducive to their level of comfort with technology. I also partnered with CATL and ATS colleagues to ensure I was using the tools and technologies appropriate to meet my learning outcomes. I had very few issues happen during the assessment submission periods. Thank you to the CATL and ATS staff for your assistance on this project. I would do this again.

Submitted by Kari Emineth, Exercise and Sport Science