This is not going to be a detailed instruction manual for the specific equipment we use; we'll do that part in person. This is an overview of the procedures for video- and photo-recording a class session.
1. Arrive at 8am so that you have time to get things in order before class starts at 8:30.
2. Equipment check: Make sure the cameras are charged and have fresh memory cards in them, that the mics have fresh batteries, etc.
3. The first order of business is to select a microphone-wearer for the day. You have to know who this will be before you can set up any other equipment. Try to choose a person who interacts a lot and who seems to be part of a good group. Ideally, your chosen person sits physically in the middle of the group, for the best pickup. Approach him or her, introduce yourself, and say something like the following:
You: "Would you be willing to be one of our microphone-wearers today? We're asking different people every day and we would really appreciate your help." *
Participant: "Um, sure, okay."
You: "Thank you so much. It really helps us out. The way it works is, you clip this part to your shirt, and put this part in your pocket or on your belt. If you need to turn it off, here's how - you open it up, and hold down this button. But realistically if you leave the room to use the restroom or for a personal matter you'll go out of range, anyway. You'll see one of us Thanks again, we really appreciate everyone's willingness to take a turn."
(Participants at the table will now make predictable nervous jokes about being recorded.)
You: "I just want to assure you that we're not monitoring you and we're not interested in your private conversation or anything like that. We just know that the best work that you do is the work you do together, and we really appreciate getting the opportunity to observe that."
Before you go, learn their names; you will need them while taking field notes.
* Do not say, "Would you like to wear the microphone today?" - that makes it sound like they may as well let someone else have the privilege. Of course, if someone really doesn't want to, thank them and move on to someone else.
4. Position the cameras so as to see the mic wearer well. Try shelves, countertops, whatever you can swing. The tripods can wrap around things so go ahead and get creative. Always plug in the camera when you can, so that you preserve the battery for when you need to be mobile. Once you are set up, do a sound check, start recording, and find a place to settle in and take field notes.
However, keep in mind that this is the kind of class where they're going to get up and move around. When they do, you will need to grab the camera and microphone receiver (these are both small) and follow them as best you can, be that out into another room or whatever. You will probably need to disconnect the camera's power cord as well as the wireless headphones, since the "base station" for those is big and clunky. Have other headphones handy so that you can still listen.
Of course, do your best to be unobtrusive. They will attend to you occasionally, but most of the time they have more interesting things to do than joke about the camera. Do what you can to minimize the disturbance to the class - the reason they are here is to learn with each other, not to provide us with video subjects.
When you change videographers (probably at lunchtime), you may change mic wearers, or not. I usually don't change unless I'm unhappy with the group I'm watching.
5. We are responsible for still photography, as well. Photograph every white board the participants produce, if possible - all the groups, not only the group you are observing. There is often a "gallery walk" or a break after they produce a white board, which is the time for the photography. It's a little tricky to take the picture in a way that includes information about whose white board it is. The best technique I've found is to ask the participants to hold it upright (to avoid glare from the ceiling lights) and photograph it from an angle that includes the table number in the photo.
6. If you are the one recording at the end of the class, make sure all the equipment is turned off and the cameras are charging (meaning that they are off, but plugged in). We can leave the equipment in the room. Class ends at 3:30. Instructors and Scholars meet each afternoon from 3:30-4:30.
UPDATE: Helpful technical recommendations are accumulating here.
1. Arrive at 8am so that you have time to get things in order before class starts at 8:30.
2. Equipment check: Make sure the cameras are charged and have fresh memory cards in them, that the mics have fresh batteries, etc.
3. The first order of business is to select a microphone-wearer for the day. You have to know who this will be before you can set up any other equipment. Try to choose a person who interacts a lot and who seems to be part of a good group. Ideally, your chosen person sits physically in the middle of the group, for the best pickup. Approach him or her, introduce yourself, and say something like the following:
You: "Would you be willing to be one of our microphone-wearers today? We're asking different people every day and we would really appreciate your help." *
Participant: "Um, sure, okay."
You: "Thank you so much. It really helps us out. The way it works is, you clip this part to your shirt, and put this part in your pocket or on your belt. If you need to turn it off, here's how - you open it up, and hold down this button. But realistically if you leave the room to use the restroom or for a personal matter you'll go out of range, anyway. You'll see one of us Thanks again, we really appreciate everyone's willingness to take a turn."
(Participants at the table will now make predictable nervous jokes about being recorded.)
You: "I just want to assure you that we're not monitoring you and we're not interested in your private conversation or anything like that. We just know that the best work that you do is the work you do together, and we really appreciate getting the opportunity to observe that."
Before you go, learn their names; you will need them while taking field notes.
* Do not say, "Would you like to wear the microphone today?" - that makes it sound like they may as well let someone else have the privilege. Of course, if someone really doesn't want to, thank them and move on to someone else.
4. Position the cameras so as to see the mic wearer well. Try shelves, countertops, whatever you can swing. The tripods can wrap around things so go ahead and get creative. Always plug in the camera when you can, so that you preserve the battery for when you need to be mobile. Once you are set up, do a sound check, start recording, and find a place to settle in and take field notes.
However, keep in mind that this is the kind of class where they're going to get up and move around. When they do, you will need to grab the camera and microphone receiver (these are both small) and follow them as best you can, be that out into another room or whatever. You will probably need to disconnect the camera's power cord as well as the wireless headphones, since the "base station" for those is big and clunky. Have other headphones handy so that you can still listen.
Of course, do your best to be unobtrusive. They will attend to you occasionally, but most of the time they have more interesting things to do than joke about the camera. Do what you can to minimize the disturbance to the class - the reason they are here is to learn with each other, not to provide us with video subjects.
When you change videographers (probably at lunchtime), you may change mic wearers, or not. I usually don't change unless I'm unhappy with the group I'm watching.
5. We are responsible for still photography, as well. Photograph every white board the participants produce, if possible - all the groups, not only the group you are observing. There is often a "gallery walk" or a break after they produce a white board, which is the time for the photography. It's a little tricky to take the picture in a way that includes information about whose white board it is. The best technique I've found is to ask the participants to hold it upright (to avoid glare from the ceiling lights) and photograph it from an angle that includes the table number in the photo.
6. If you are the one recording at the end of the class, make sure all the equipment is turned off and the cameras are charging (meaning that they are off, but plugged in). We can leave the equipment in the room. Class ends at 3:30. Instructors and Scholars meet each afternoon from 3:30-4:30.
UPDATE: Helpful technical recommendations are accumulating here.
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