Embedding Video Into Your Online Classroom

Over the past few years I've been using YouTube videos to enhance my online teaching. I find some of these videos on YouTube and others I create myself. Not long ago I had a student comment to me that she found the videos helpful, and sometimes entertaining, but she was concerned about the advertisements and video links that pop-up in YouTube. It became my mission to find a way to embed the videos into my courses without the students having to A- see links to videos that may be inappropriate, and B- allow the learners to see the videos without navigating away from my classroom. I found a way, and I'm sharing it here with you. I hope You may find these videos useful. ~ Allen

Here are my basic instructions on how to include YouTube (whether your own or others) into your classroom.

I typically start with some information about the value of technology in education, but for my blog, let's cut to the chase.

This first video is the introductory video.

This next video will show you how to download a free HTML editor called NVU. You're going to need this, or something like this if you want to start including video in your online classroom.

Now if you don't know how to work with NVU, here is a brief (very brief) tutorial. NVU is simple, it's like a word document. But it makes what you write in HTML pretty on the Web.

This next video shows you how to create your YouTube account... if you're so inclined.

Now this video will show exactly how to embed the YouTube video into your online classroom.

Finally, if you're interested in how to upload videos of yourself into your online classroom, watch this video.

The Ewey-Gooey Side of Human Simulation

OK, a bit more on the serious side. I found a great blog that you all might be interested in. It's called 3-D perspectives, and offers a wide range of simulation information. I have included it on the information bar to your right, and I've hyper-linked you directly to the source. They have links for simulations from brains to bed sores, but you do have to hunt for them a bit. There is a lot of information there, but navigating it does take some work, I'll try to simplify some of it down the road.

Human Simulation... The Musical?

The end of Summer semester proved to be one of the busier semesters I've had in recent years. While I began several blog posts, they are still not to my satisfaction for publishing, so hang tight.

In the mean time... I did a little search last night to see what's new in regards to simulation. Can you guess what I found? "Human Simulation," the relatively unknown, electro-rock band from sweden.

Where did they come up with the name "Human Simulation?" What do they have to do with simulation? I have no idea, but it's my suspicion the answer is absolutely nothing apart from the name. That being said, the mere fact that this is their name makes them an interesting subject.

The musical style is electro-rock. If you're unfamiliar with this, take a moment to travel back in time to the 80's. They sound a bit like "Depeche Mode," "Prince," and perhaps a touch of "They Might be Giants." The beat is a bit catchy, and I'll admit I experienced flashbacks of parachute pants and super hard hair gel flashing through my mind as I listened to their sample tracks.

Now after having experienced their music, I think I know where they came up with their name. They are trying to simulate the music of our past in hopes to help Gen-X'ers revive some of their fashion faux pa's. Who would have ever thought a band existed with the name "Human Simulation?" What next? Human Patient Simulation... The Musical? Someone, call Broadway!

Couturier on a K-Mart Budget: My Review of the Rural Norther California Simulation Center

Nestled in a little college town, two hours North of Sacramento, California, is one of simulation training's hidden gems; the Rural Northern California Simulation Center. As a part of our faculty development program, myself and two others had the great pleasure of heading to Chico, California, and not just for the magnificent Thursday night farmers market, OR the unprecedented food & specialty drinks at Gencarelli & Wellman's "CRUSH" restaurant & lounge. If you've never heard of Becky Damazo, and this simulation center, it's high time you do, book-mark their page, and plan on a visit; this little gem's got a lot of sparkle! You're going to be seeing it listed right up there with the big dogs in no time. Becky Damazo, of California State University, and her highly effective, efficient staff of 2 (YES, I really did say 2), along with some help from her sons, run an Ivy-League institution on a state-tight budget.

While on my own quest for quality faculty development in simulation methodology, I was confronted with many "designer" labels that carry expensive price tags. Even though one other faculty member and myself have both been trained at some of these first-class programs, either of us had time to develop the depth of exercises we required. Not to mention, those holding the check books always prefer the fare that goes with "generic" labels, especially if the same quality can be procured. Because of time, and more-so because we wanted to send several faculty members, we chose Becky's "Intermediate Conference on Simulation Methodology" (AKA the "Simulation Spa" [pedicure, manicure, and massage are surprisingly available]). I never expected to walk away so pleased with the outcome.

Serving the simulation needs for many educational and health care organizations in the surrounding areas, they're soon to be regional leaders is simulation methodology. They currently occupy only 4 patient-care rooms, a nurses station, and some storage space in this relatively vacant hospital, but they fill them with simulators from METI, Laerdal, & Gaumard, not to mention standardized patients, computer based learning, and lecture animation capabilities. Although they may not be "blinged" out like more established centers, they prove that it's not about the technology, it's about the methodology! The beauty of their location is that they're literally in a fully functional, almost empty hospital building. With so much space at their finger tips, I can only imaging that soon they may become a full-sized simulated hospital with every potential service imaginable. If Governor Schwarzenegger ever reads this... he'd be a wise man to invest. It's only a matter of time until the merits of simulation training in health care proves itself as effective means by which lives & money can be saved, evidence can be built, and outcomes in education can be greatly improved (amongst other things).

Damazo & her team offer a two-day conference focusing on best practices in simulation methodology. The first day focuses on the theories behind the practice, the second day focuses on putting the theory into practice. They cover everything the novice faculty facilitator needs to know; scenario design, basic scenario programming, moulage, introductory and intermediate debriefing concepts, how to avoid bad habits, and they give you the chance to practice. You build a scenario from scratch, validate it, run it with living participants & human-patient-simulators, debrief it, then debrief the debriefing. To top it off, you walk away with 12 continuing education credits! How great is that!?! The only drawback to the two-day conference is... it's only two days. Each of these topics could easily be full day topics, if not longer. But Ms. Damazo, and her team, effectively provide the content, details, and information in a manner that any adult learner can take and master in their own environments.

While designer labels often provide excellence in quality, are aesthetically pleasing, have the latest technology and the biggest budgets, this center proves that the generic label can be just as good. Though they don't currently provide the many specialty programs you may find with some of the Ivy-League programs, I have no doubt they'll catch up soon. If your time & budget are short, check out the amazing work that Becky Damazo & her team have done at the Rural Northern California Simulation Center.

When you get there, enjoy a beautiful evening in downtown Chico and a stroll through the fragrant farmer's market. Cool off with a refreshing swim at 1-mile swimming hole just a few blocks away (very, very nice, very very clean, very very cool!!!! [trust me]). To make your day complete, head on over to CRUSH for a gin martini (with two of their a-a-amazing olives), the terrific fried green tomatoes (HELLO! Farmers Market), and my choice - the cedar plank salmon; grilled med-rare or "Cheeky" @ Chico's choice - the amazing home-made butternut ravioli with those tomatoes from God! When you're done... not only will your appetite be satiated, but you'll also understand why they call this the "Simulation Spa!"

World Builder ~ For Maya

So, this video has had such an impact on me, I want to make sure it's at the top of my blog list. I am re-posting it, and my blog thoughts. I really want people that come to my blog to see this first... at least for the next few days... before they see Lady Gaga.

Have you ever wondered where we are with simulation? Better yet, do you wonder where we're going? I am always searching for material that not only teaches, but also 'touches.' I have a lot of friends that know the details of my complicated past, and those friends are always looking for 'things' for me as well. Interestingly, a friend of mine stumbled upon this video and sent it this morning. It's phenomenal, and it represents, to me, a great deal of what simulation is, where it's going, and what OUR potential is. On the other hand, it also points out that simulation is also about heart, it's not all about computers, dolls, and fake blood. There is often times a lot of compassion that goes into the simulation that we create. The amount of work that goes into 'creating' that and expressing that 'love' is often times missed, and the reality is the reward may be something internal rather than external.

I dedicate this little video to my Maya... "and she played on."

World Builder from BranitVFX on Vimeo.

Collab Video?

OK, so here's the deal. I've been watching collab videos on youtube lately. Alas! What's a collab video? you ask. Well... it's a video, that's built in collaboration. Typically what happens is a song and a theme is selected, then many people make a music video based around the same theme using the same song... THEN they all send their home made music videos to one individual who then compiles them into a single collaborative video (thus the term "collab video").

SO... A Collab Video, YES! I want to do a collab video... with YOU! Here's the premise, the official participation guidelines will be posted on my blog and youtube within the next two weeks, but if you want to get those creative juices pumping here are some things to get you started.

THEME: Simulation (of course!). This can be any kind of simulation related to health care education. You can use yourselves and/or any students (that choose to volunteer). Perhaps you have students that want to do it as a class project, perhaps your simulation staff want to do it, or perhaps you just want to do it yourself. You can use any props, make-up, landscapes you so desire, and you can get as creative as you so desire.

SONG: Poker Face (Lady Gaga). Here, watch her music video... it might give you and your simulators some dance steps, make-up tips, and costume ideas.



BASIC RULES:

First of all, this is my personal blog, I am not affiliated with any group. This collab video is being done as something fun, to let you (and me) share some of our creativity in simulation!

The collab video, when compiled will be appropriate for all audiences, but your creativity is highly encouraged.

If you choose to participate, small video clips of whatever you send me may end up in the collab video. The collab video will be going on my public blog and youtube. That means the whole wide world will be able to see it.

All participants in the collab video will have the opportunity to have their names included in the participants list.

I'm not going to make this any longer than it already is... so keep watching my blog for more information on the details as to how to send me your digital POKER FACE music video files!

World Builder ~ For Maya

Have you ever wondered where we are with simulation? Better yet, do you wonder where we are going? I am always searching for material that not only teaches, but also 'touches.' I have a lot of friends that know the details of my complicated past, and those friends are always looking for 'thing' for me as well. Interestingly, a friend of mine stumbled upon this video and sent it to me this morning. It's phenomenal, and it represents, to me, a great deal of what simulation is and where it's going, and what OUR potential is. On the other hand, it also points out that simulation is also about heart, it's not all about computers, dolls, and fake blood. There is often times a lot of compassion that goes into the simulation that we create. The amount of work that goes into creating that and expressing that love is often times missed, and the reality is the reward is often something internal.

I dedicate this little video to my Maya... "and she played on."

World Builder from BranitVFX on Vimeo.

I finally found a sim man 3G movie that gives sim man a bit more "clout." here it is. Now I think they are both a bit more on the same playing field on my blog since I don't play partial to either.

iStan vs. 3G

I tried to find an example of an immersive scenario demonstrating iStan in an attempt to not show bias toward any particular vendor. There was one video that I came upon in youtube, but the quality was not very good. So, in all fairness to iStan, here is a relatively funny spoof. To those of you that have 3G, what are your thoughts about the battery life? - Up-date- So you'll notice part of this video is cut off. To see the whole thing, just click on the video after you start playing it and it'll hyperlink you to youtube so you can see the "bigscreen" version.

Demonstration of a Paramedic Scenario with Simulator

In my attempts to find some examples of immersive learning experiences with simulators I did run into a few youtube videos that seem to come close. This one is from Australia, a group of paramedics working on SimMan 3G.