Selecting the right placement for your recording device/s is important to make sure you capture the best video and audio for your reflection.
There are several things to consider when making decisions about the placement of the devices:
- What you are trying to capture
- What you don't want to capture
- What devices and equipment you have
- Your environment
What you are trying to capture
There are two general configurations “Lecture Mode” and “Group Work Mode”.
- Lecture mode focuses more on capturing the presenter/teacher.
- Group work mode focuses on capturing smaller groups
Depending what you select will depend on what is your focus - the teaching or learning
Discovery Kit 8
These kits contain 2 cameras and 2 microphones. The blue microphone in lecture mode is worn by the presenter/teacher and the blue camera focuses on capturing them. The green camera and microphone are for capturing the students.
In group mode, both cameras are focused on the students. You can choose to place one or both of the microphones with groups. You might prefer to still wear the blue microphone and move between the different groups.
What you don't want to capture
If there is anyone in the room who you are not able to record (due to safeguarding or data protection reasons for example) be mindful of this when placing the camera/s.
What devices and equipment you have
Starter Kit / Audio Kit (1 Device and 1 Microphone)
You can either choose to wear the microphone or place it nearer the students.
Wearing the microphone will mean it will capture everything the teacher says and much of what is heard around the classroom (depending on the volume of those sounds). For example, the microphone will capture a student at the back of the room answering a question from a teacher at the front of the room, if that student is speaking loudly. It will also capture group work when a teacher moves close to a group. >Discovery Kit 6 & 7 - There are two options for wearing the iPod: a belt clip and a lanyard. The Blue iPod case has a belt clip. This can be clipped to your belt or the case can be clipped to the blue lanyard included in the Discovery Kit. and worn around their neck. Make sure to clip the lapel microphone in place. The ideal placement for the microphone is near the sternum.
TIP: Summary
Tip - Make sure the microphone is not rubbing against clothing or anything hanging around your neck
Discovery Kit (2 Devices and 2 Microphones)
To use both microphones you will need to use 2 cameras (as the microphones need to be paired to a camera).
The second microphone should be positioned so that it captures the voices of all students in the room. In general, this microphone will capture all voices in the room that you could hear with your ears if you were in the same position as the microphone. However, the closer the microphone is to a student, the better the audio of that student will be.
Consider that microphone could distract the students. Ideally, place it where they cant touch or play with it.
TIP: Summary
The Screen Fade option toggles the live video on and off. You can use screen fade to avoid distracting students. You can toggle this switch while recording if you need to reframe your shot.
Your Environment
TIP: Glare Aware! Try to position the camera/s so they are not facing into bright sunlight. If possible, point away from windows or close window blinds to reduce glare.
Things to consider:
- make sure the devices are safe and won't be broken or be a trip hazard
- the size and shape of the room - do you need to capture the whole room or just part of it
- how is the lighting? is the room too dark or too light?
- does the room have poor acoustics/echo?
TIP: Front Camera
To assist which placing the camera out of the way the app has a front camera option so you can place it in a corner of the room and see what it is capturing. Please note You cannot toggle this switch while recording.