TPA 4 Recommended Procedures

The FLIP VIDEO® provides the easiest means to record, download and submit a video to meet the requirements for TPA 4.

Though other video cameras may be used it is important that the file you upload be less than 100 megabytes.

A 20-minute video using the FLIP VIDEO® Camcorder provides the easiest steps to meet the size requirements with easy to use software that is available for free.

Directions to Obtain Camera and Shoot FLIP VIDEO® are available for teacher candidates to check out from The Literacy Lab, which is located in the “C” wing on the 2 nd floor of King Hall at the end of the corridor on the left. We do not have enough cameras for each student to individually check out so speak among yourselves and have one candidate from each placement site check out the camcorder so it can be used by all the candidates at the site. Keep in mind that the person checking it out is responsible for its return.

FLIP VIDEO® Camcorder may be hand held or placed on a tripod. It is important for you to plan ahead and conduct a short test video to make sure the placement of the camcorder picks up your voice.

Record your actual lesson using FLIP VIDEO® Camcorder. The camcorder has a timer on the screen so it can easily be stopped by your cooperating teacher, a student helper or another student teacher at the 20-minute mark.

Saving to Computer Once you have recorded your video, simply insert the FLIP VIDEO® Camcorder into the USB port of any computer (PC or MAC). Software will automatically launch when your computer recognized that new hardware has been inserted. A window will open and show you the video files that are on the camera. Select your video by clicking on the screen and then select the ONLINE icon at the bottom of the screen (it is in the box subtitled SHARE).

Select “OTHER WEBSITES” in the new box that opens and then click “NEXT” Select “OTHER” in the new box that opens and then click “NEXT” Name your file without using your name (ex: TPA 4 Video), then click “GO” You will see the file saving at the lower left. When the file is saved, a new box will open advising you that your file is ready for UPLOADING. Click “GO”

You will then receive a message that your video has been saved to a folder on your desktop.

Your video will likely still be more 100MB. If so, or if you use your own camera, please continue with the following pages of instructions. Procedure “1” was provided by TASKSTREAM. Procedure “2” is an alternate procedure suggested by Media Services. They both work fine and both take about 30 minutes from start to finish.

Compressing Video for TaskStream

Procedure 1

Currently, TaskStream allows users to upload up to 100 megabytes in size. Therefore, in order to upload a video to TaskStream, you will need to compress the video to make sure it is smaller than 100 megabytes in size. Below is a list of issues that may prevent you from uploading your videos on to TaskStream:

Videos over 100 megabytes in size DVD video. DVD video is usually much larger in size and cannot be uploaded directly into TaskStream using conventional means. The DVD must be transcoded into a compatible file, such as .wmv, .mov., or mpg. Streaming video from sites such as YouTube cannot be uploaded to TaskStream as is. It can be embedded if you have knowledge of HTML, but we do not recommend embedding video since it is not archival, meaning the video may be removed from the streaming service. Upload size restrictions from your Internet Service Provider (ISP). For more information on your upload size restrictions, please contact your ISP.

If your video is larger than 100 MB in size, you will need to compress (make smaller) your video to ensure that you can successfully upload your video to TaskStream. Luckily, all the tools to compress video files come free with your computer, either PC or Mac. There are also free programs available for download. A basic web search for compression tools should give you more options if you do not wish to use the software listed below.

How to Compress Video using a PC

1. First open up Windows Movie Maker from the programs menu. 2. Click the File menu, and select Import into Collections. Then choose the video file you want to compress. 3. Your video will import as a series of clips that will appear in a list in the middle of the window. You will want to select all of the clips. 4. Once you have selected the clips, drag them onto the timeline at the bottom of the window. 3 Rev. 3/2010 5. Go to the File menu and select Save Movie File. 6. A new window will appear. Choose “My Computer” under Movie Location and click “Next.” 7. Enter a file name for your movie and choose a place on your computer to save your movie. Then click “Next”. 4 Rev. 3/2010 8. If the only option showing is “Best quality for playback on my computer. (recommended)”, click „ Show More Choices . Another menu should appear which will have the radio selection, “Best fit to file size”. Choose a size under 100 megabytes and select “Next”. 9. Your movie will begin saving to your computer. When it is finished, you will be able to upload the file to TaskStream.

How to Compress Video using a Mac

1. First, open up iMovie. 2. Click the File menu, and then select Import à Movies. 3. Choosethevideofileyouwant to compress and click Import. iMovie will take some time to import your movie. 6 Rev. 3/2010 4. When your movie has finished importing, you will see it in a series of clips near the bottom of the window. 5. You will now need to select your entire movie by clicking and dragging, or you may right click and choose Select All. 6. Click and drag your selected movie up to the area that says “Drag media here to create a new project”. 7. Go to the Share menu and now select Export Movie. 7 Rev. 3/2010 8. A window should appear with the following options: Export As: Enter your file name here. Where: Select the area of your computer where you would like to save your file. (i.e. Desktop or Documents) Size to Export: For the most optimal video size for uploading to the web, you will want to select “Mobile (480x272). 9. Once you have made your selection, click Export. When your video has finished exporting, you will be able to upload the file to TaskStream.

Compressing Video for TaskStream

Download Squared 5 MPEG Streamclip from: Drag your clip into square From File select EXPORT for MPEG 4 Use the direction on the next page to make sure settings are the same CLICK on MAKE MP4

FINAL STEP Uploading To TaskStream

Sign on TaskStream and open your TPA 4 Folder Select “VIDEO” which is on the extreme left and is the bottom folder Select “ADD VIDEOS” at the bottom of the screen Select “A video saved on your computer” and click the BROWSE button Find your file which will be located on the DESKTOP Enter a name for your file (ex: Fifth Grade Science Lesson, or Third Period American History) YOUR FILE MUST BE 20 minutes. A few seconds more or less is fine, but it must be as close to 20 minutes as possible and may not be edited. You may skip the question about ATTACH STANDARDS CLICK ADD FILE YOUR VIDEO IS UPLOADED