The video clip that I included in this portfolio is part of a geometry unit that I taught. The students and I had spent considerable time discussing plane and space shapes.  Previously, I had asked the students to bring in objects from home that remind them of the shapes we were discussing.  The students did so and seemed excited about finding plane and space shapes in the classroom.  I decided to bring in this book as a way of demonstrating and explaining that these shapes are all around them.

    Editing this video clip proved to be a challenge.  The most difficult part was condensing a ten minute clip of me teaching into a thirty second clip of me explaining something.  However, seeing myself on tape was an extremely beneficial tool.  I was able to see my facial expressions and focus on the words that I use to explain things.  Although a written lesson plan specifies procedure, the way that a teacher carries him/her self is extremely important.  Having the opportunity to see myself and the way that I taught this lesson was very educational.

    After seeing my facial expressions and my interaction with the students during this particular lesson, I realized that I did not smile nearly as much as I thought I did.  In future lessons, I made it a point to smile and feel more relaxed, no matter how I felt that day.  From the video clip, I also noticed that I could have shown the book more or possibly put the images up on an overhead so the class could see them better.

    Overall, the video clip was an essential resource for me as an educator.  I would highly recommend for teachers to periodically record themselves teaching a lesson and then watch their recordings.  Although most of us do not like to see ourselves in pictures or film, in this case, it can be used as an effective educational tool.