Transform Your Connection to Students: Using Jing to Give Audio-Visual Feedback on Writing

by Twila Griffin Johnson, English

Teachers recognize that students thrive through communication and group interaction. Yet educational technology is in danger of generating a static learning experience. A passive, asynchronous approach can diffuse the vitality of the teacher-student relationship. Teachers might post lecture materials on Blackboard to substitute for a face-to-face lesson or type comments in a cascade of red bubbles rather than hold conferences. Even the term face-to-face is now streamlined to an abbreviation (f2f), thus reflecting the challenge to reach students efficiently without sacrificing their individual needs. But how do teachers embrace technology without losing intimacy with their students?

A simple way to connect to students with technology is through Jing. Jing provides an audio-visual platform for teachers to record whatever happens on their computer screen while simultaneously recording audio feedback. The videos, taped in five-minute increments, are saved as hyperlinks that can be linked through syllabi, Blackboard, wikis, blogs, emails, or any web page. These links may be kept private or be made public, and teachers can track how often each video is viewed.

Jing’s Time-Saving Applications for Teachers

Comment on students’ work through audio-visual feedback: Speaking is faster than typing, so Jing allows teachers to include more comments in an engaging, personal tone. This is especially helpful in reducing the distance in online and hybrid courses.

Supplement individual critique with embedded lessons: Rather than merely making corrections, teachers can describe a rule or link the student to a web page for further instructions.

Assist students with research: Teachers can quickly produce a video that is personalized to the student’s essay topic and research needs. This is helpful for teaching effective search terms.

Type in explanations during the video: The Jing video feature is live-action, so teachers can type corrections as they explain a concept. This is particularly helpful for ESL students.

Create a video lesson to reinforce class concepts: Teachers can post lessons on Blackboard, a blog, or a wiki to expand on important concepts such as avoiding plagiarism. This also works well in responding to students’ emailed questions or responding to students who have missed class due to illness.

Have students give presentations online: In-class presentations can be time-consuming or impossible (online courses). Students can create PowerPoint or e-portfolio presentations using Jing so that classmates and instructors can view them online.

How to begin using Jing right away, even for teachers who are technophobes

• Download the free Jing software by visiting http://www.techsmith.com/jing/.
• Choose a platform where the video hyperlinks can be stored for future use. Jing has a partnership with Screencast.com, which will store videos for free. Visit http://www.screencast.com to see its multiple uses for storing documents and videos.
• Click on the Jing sun icon in the upper right corner of the screen, expand the framing to the document on your computer screen, and hit “record.” Save the video, and the program will automatically generate the hyperlink for you to paste. It’s that simple.

Teachers may never understand every text abbreviation that surfaces on their students’ cell phones, and students may never know the glory of inserting a cassette tape into their car stereo system, but Jing can join teachers with their students in an ongoing “conversation” about writing. By personalizing feedback, teachers are no longer a keystroke away, but a voice that enables students to more clearly see their potential.