What is a video?

The word video comes from the Latin words "I see". Per Wikipedia "Video is the technology of electronically capturing, recording, processing, storing, transmitting, and reconstructing a sequence of still images representing scenes in motion. Video technology was first developed for television systems, but has been further developed in many formats to allow for consumer video recording. Video can also be viewed through the Internet as video clips or streaming media clips on computer monitors."

Videos can be used to:

• Provide a quick overview of a class
• Teach concepts
• Engage students
• Promote your classes
• Introduce an asynchronous course

Just like there are photo sharing sites, there are video sites where you can upload your videos and share them with your friends or the world. Most of these site are free, and they usually provide you with a page on which you can promote your videos.

Do you need expensive equipment to create videos? No, that is a misconception. To create videos for classes, blogs, and web sites you do not need expensive video cameras, lighting kits or anything of that nature to get the point across. Actually, the more professional and flawless your video seems the less people will trust the message. The more spontaneous the video the more your users will believe you.

The camcorder I use is the "Flip Ultra" and Flip MinoHD, this is an inexpensive camera which produces great videos, and you can do some of the editing on the Flip software it brings or use Windows Movie Maker which comes free on your PC.