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. Arrival
Arrive at 8am so that you have time to get things in order before class starts at 8:30.
2. Equipment check
Every day and also at lunchtime, our technical assistant will have charged the cameras and put fresh memory cards in them, as well as putting fresh batteries in the microphones. Double-check to make sure nothing was missed.
3. Microphone wearer
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. If your group leaves the room to work, you'll see one of us hanging around.
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.
If you are observing in the afternoon, consult with your morning counterpart to decide whether to change mic wearers or not. If it's an interesting group, don't change; if they are less interactive, or seem uncomfortable or dysfunctional or anything like that, then change. Consult your Director for advice.
4. Camera setup
Position your camera 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 (red means 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 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.
Do your best to be unobtrusive, but don't try to pretend you're invisible. You're not. We will make sure you get to interact with the teachers, which helps reduce the awkwardness of your observing them. During class, 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.
5. Photography
We are responsible for still photography, as well. Every time the class takes a break, photograph every white board the participants produce - all the groups, not only the group you are observing. We need to know not only what's on the white board, but whose white board it is. The best technique is to have someone hold the board upright (to avoid glare from the ceiling lights) and photograph it from an angle that includes the table number in the photo.
Since two Scholars observe a class at once, does this mean that two different teachers will be wearing microphones (in different groups, of course)?
ReplyDeleteWill we be transcribing all conversations, or are the recordings more for revisiting poignant discussions?
How many teachers are in each class?
Bradley,
ReplyDeleteThere will be about 20 teachers (learners) in each PD course. Two teachers wear microphones at different tables and the videographers' headphones are set up to hear each table.
It is difficult to transcribe all conversations word-for-word (impossible for me!). However, I try to include key words and ideas that the teachers say during their discussions. Recording what you are observing sometimes appears as a direct quote and sometimes a description of what is happening in the classroom.
You mention photographing the boards from each group. Is this done with the group holding it up the board or when the group is out of the room?
ReplyDeleteIs the video camera capable of taking still shots or do we have a camera for the still photography as well?
Either each group can hold their board up, or one I-RISE scholar can hold the boards up while the other takes photos - whatever is more convenient socially.
DeleteWe have regular cameras for the still photos; though the video cameras can also take photos, it's a pain to unhook them from the other things they are attached to.
Thanks for the suggestions on asking people to wear the microphone. I notice that you mention that the microphone wearer will switch daily. Does this mean we'll observe several groups over the course?
ReplyDeleteYour instructions for how to invite participants to wear the microphone ("Would you be willing" vs "Would you like to") shows very keen teacher awareness! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteI just need to be sure to use that instruction properly.
I think that using a mounted camera when the groups sit at their tables, but being ready to hold it by hand if they move about, brings good opportunities for taking field notes.
ReplyDeleteIt is great that we have a technical assistant! Super helpful. I have the same question as Kara - will we be observing multiple groups over the course of each week - sort of a new one each day? Or if we find an "interesting" group, would we try to stick with them for several days in a row (or every other day, etc.)?
ReplyDeleteMy sense is that people tend to feel nervous if they understand themselves to be singled out for special observation. For that reason, we ask a new person to wear the mic every day or even every half-day, so that people just think it's their turn. At the beginning of the course this is a good idea anyway, since we don't know who will be the most interesting to watch. As the course goes on, you will have more of a relationship with the teachers and a better sense of what individual people will be comfortable with; then you might have the option to follow an especially interesting group for a few days, if you think they will be okay with it.
ReplyDeleteThe most important consideration is that we not distress the teachers or distract them from their work. Though they are very generous and gracious with us, they're here to learn about energy, not help us with our research.