I am so glad that you all responded to my entry. What incredible support and knowledge!!! It would not have occurred to me that videotaping would require district approval, but once I read it - it makes sense.
What did Rebecca mean when she said she would not record during class time (wording may be off here). Should the taping not happen during a normal class? Is it something I have to schedule after school? I will be sending home permission slips, does that count for anything?
I am confused - help!!!!!!
3 comments:
I realize that my wording was confusing. I will attempt to clarify; if I can't, I know someone else will help me.
I have never tape recorded students during a typical day in my classroom. With the exception of our speech/theater teacher, I do not know of any teacher in our building that records students during the normal course of instruction. Therefore, this makes such an experience (being audio taped in my case or videotaped in yours) beyond the realm of the typical activities involved in daily instruction.
In my district, we need written permission from the research and development department to conduct such activities in our classrooms. I liken it to our version of the human subjects committee found at the university level; someone checking to make sure that no harm will come to the "subjects" during the course of research.
My guess is that if you are going to videotape during class for your data collection (and from what I know of your project this is the only time it would make sense to videotape), you may need permission not only from parents, but also from your district. I would imagine that your principal or a vice-principal should be able to explain the procedure you need to follow in your district.
I hope I have made more sense this time. If not, you know what they say about the third time. :)
I think Rebecca has given you some good sound advice here, Rebecca. I'd check with someone in your district to find out if you need to have any special permission to take a closer look at your teaching in this way. Most districts are very open to this as long as you're using permission slips and they understand you're doing it in order to improve your teaching.
Could you talk a little more about what you hope to learn by videotaping?
Oh, and incidentally, on the Sarah Capitelli website, there's a clip of her and inquiry group talking about viewing a videotape (also on her site) of her students and trying to make sense of it.
Maybe this is something that Rebecca, Natalie, and I could help you do when we get together for an inquiry group meeting?
Renee, I know our student teachers routinely videotape themselves teaching so it does occur. One thing that I would expect is you would need to do it on a regular basis so it's not a novelty when it does happen. It was not uncommon for me to both videotape and take stills in my classroom as students were working - I was just aware of those students whose pictures were not allowed to be taken.
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