Using a video camera is straightforward. The technical requirements for using a video camera are very low and even primary school children can handle a camera without any problems. We would like to mention a few things here which might be helpful for your projects.
Preparation
Here are a few things which are obvious but often get forgotten: make sure that the camera battery is fully charged before you start recording; a spare (charged!) battery is a useful accessory if you plan to record a lot of material; also make sure that the recording medium (tape, cards, ..) has enough space left on it for what you plan to do; and think of additional leads/cables if you want to watch the material on a monitor afterwards.
External microphones
The sound quality of the videos for language projects is very important. An external microphone can help tremendously since it gets closer to the actor / presenter / sound source. Make sure that the batteries are charged and that the microphone is switched on. It is best to check the sound quality with headphones during the recording. There is nothing more frustrating than lack of sound once all the recordings are finished. Alternatively, you can record a voice-over at the editing stage.
Zoom and pan
It is tempting to use the zoom during the recording but we generally discourage students from using this feature. The zoom is very good for changing the focal length before you record but a change during the recording is often distracting. It can also make the editing harder. The same applies to constant panning or tilting. Younger children particularly often feel that they need to cover everything through rapid movements, but it is more important to concentrate on the main object within one camera frame.
Tripod
A tripod can be very helpful for static shots and close ups. This is particularly the case if you work with younger children who find it harder to keep the camera steady in their hands. A tripod also allows more children to take part in the recording process by looking into the LCD screen together. Make sure that the tripod is heavy enough, so that it cannot be knocked over too easily.
Safety of the camera
A long strap attached to the camera is a good safety measure. Don't use the camera in wet weather unless it is well protected.
written by Armin Hottmann, © 2010 copyright by divisproject.eu, creative commons
