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Frequently Asked Questions about Colonial Williamsburg Electronic Field Trips
Questions About Live Video Chat (Skype) and Submitting Video Questions
What are video questions?
I want to submit video questions, but I don’t have a video camera. Help!
When are the video questions due?
How should I record the video questions?
Is there any paperwork involved?
What format do the videos need to be in?
What are the video specifications?
What are the audio specifications?
I have several students with questions. Does each question have to be a separate file?
How do I send the video questions?
To whom do I send the video questions?
Will you tell me if one of my students’ questions is going to be aired?
What happens to video questions that don’t get aired?
I need help! Whom do I contact?
Are there other ways my class can make and share videos about the Electronic Field Trip topic?
Skype
What is Skype?How do students participate via live video chat (Skype)?
What is the time commitment to participate via live video chat (Skype)?
Is there paperwork involved to participate via live video chat (Skype)?
What kind of equipment do I need to participate via live video chat (Skype)?
How can I sign up my class to participate via live video chat (Skype)?
What should students talk about during a live video chat (Skype)?
What are video questions? Video questions are another way for students to interact with Colonial Williamsburg historians and character interpreters in Electronic Field Trips. In addition to phoning in questions during the broadcast, emailing a character the week of the field trip, or posting opinions and questions on the message board all school year, students can pre-record their questions on camera. The video clips can be sent to us in advance and may be aired during the broadcast.
I want to submit video questions, but I don’t have a video camera. Help!
If you don’t have a video camera, remember many digital cameras and computers with webcams have the ability to capture video. Feel free to send this information home with your students and let them record their own video questions for homework. This is a good way to get parents and other family members involved in what their student is doing in your classroom!
When are the video questions due?
- Will of the People: Tuesday, October 2nd
- Emissaries of Peace: Tuesday, October 30th
- Colonial Idol: Tuesday, December 4th
- Research Rescue Squad: Tuesday, January 8th
- The Slave Trade: Tuesday, February 5th
- The Global Economy: Tuesday, March 5th
- The Industrious Tradesmen: Tuesday, April 2nd
How should I record the video questions?
- Students should address themselves to the camera as follows: “My name is [FIRST NAME ONLY] from [CITY, STATE], and I would like to know, [QUESTION]”. We CANNOT use a video with a student's last name in it!
- Shoot the video in a quiet location and have the student speak clearly and distinctly.
- In total, questions should be no longer than 15 seconds.
- Focus on one student, not a large group.
- Try to use an interesting background. Please avoid shooting against plain white walls and windows.
- Students should not wear shirts or hats with company, product, or professional sports logos.
Is there any paperwork involved?
Each person appearing on camera must submit a completed Consent Form to appear on the EFT broadcast. For anyone under age 18, this form must be filled out and signed by a parent or legal guardian. Please include this paperwork with the video submission. We CANNOT use any video question from students without this completed, signed consent form.
Download the consent form.
What format do the videos need to be in?
Please submit your video files in QuickTime or Windows Media format. Acceptable file formats include .MPEG-4, .MP4, .WMV, and .AVI.
What are the video specifications?
- MPEG-4 or H.264 video encoding
- Size: Minimum 320x240—keep the “Original Size” dimensions if possible
- Minimum frame rate: 24
- "High Quality" encode
- "Multi-pass" for best quality
- Key frame every 24 frames
- "Better" to "Best" encoding quality
What are the audio specifications?
- 44.1 or 48 kHz audio sample rate
- Stereo (LR) audio mix
- High-quality audio
I have several students with questions. Does each question have to be a separate file?
No. However, we do ask that you leave at least 6 seconds between each question.
How do I send the video questions?
Please burn your video clips as movie files on a data CD or DVD and send them to us by mail. (If you need to overnight them, FedEx or UPS are preferable to USPS.)
To whom do I send the video questions?
If using the U.S. Postal Service, please send all materials to:
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Video Questions—BHS Room 123
P.O. Box 1776
Williamsburg, VA 23187-1776
If using UPS or FedEx, please send all materials to:
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Video Questions – BHS 123
301 First Street
Williamsburg, VA 23185
Please include all signed consent forms and the teacher’s contact information. We will let you know when we receive your package.
Will you tell me if one of my students’ questions is going to be aired?
Yes. We will let you know if we plan on using one of your students’ questions. Please note that we can’t guarantee that the question will air, as sometimes we experience technical difficulties or run over our allotted time.
What happens to video questions that don’t get aired?
After we have chosen video questions for the broadcast, up to 10 additional video questions will be answered via video clips and posted on the "Question & Answer Videos" page. We will try to answer all other submitted video questions on the message board.
I need help! Whom do I contact?
For help with video questions, please call 1-800-761-8331.
Are there other ways my class can make and share videos about the Electronic Field Trip topic?
Following the same procedure you would for a video question, you can send us a “video extra.” Have you done a special project in your class? Is there a historical site in your town that relates to the program? Videotape it and send it in! Skype’s video quality can be fuzzy and does not always show classroom projects to their full advantage—but video can. Videos should be about 30 seconds long, and could be aired on the broadcast or posted to the website. Be sure to read the above procedures for submitting video questions – your video extras must meet all the same requirements, with the exception of the time limit.
What is Skype?
Skype is a live video chat program that allows you to make free voice and video calls to other people. It’s free and you can download the program at http://www.skype.com.
How do students participate via live video chat (Skype)?
Via Skype, students can share things they've learned or special projects they've done in conjunction with the Electronic Field Trip. A small group of students (up to 6) should be shown on camera, not a whole class. It can be difficult to squeeze in larger groups of students so that they can all be seen well. You may want to test your camera first to see how many students can be seen. We also ask that students refrain from wearing shirts with brand names or sports logos. You can watch an example of a live video chat segment here.
What is the time commitment to participate via live video chat (Skype)?
We ask that classes rehearse with us the day before the broadcast—this usually takes between 15–30 minutes. On the day of the broadcast, we will connect with you on Skype 10 minutes prior to the start of the broadcast. The actual Skype segment should be no more than 1 to 1½ minutes long and is usually in the first live Q&A segment.
Is there paperwork involved to participate via live video chat (Skype)?
Each person appearing on camera must submit a completed Consent Form to appear on the EFT broadcast. For anyone under age 18, this form must be filled out and signed by a parent or legal guardian. Please send us these forms prior to the broadcast. Download consent form.
What kind of equipment do I need to participate via live video chat (Skype)?
You need:
- Webcam
- Microphone (Microphones are often built into webcams.)
- Speakers
- Skype program
You will also need to check with your IT person to make sure that your school's network does not block Skype.
How can I sign up my class to participate via live video chat (Skype)?
You can contact us at 1-800-761-8331 to sign up. Only one class can participate per broadcast, so be sure to call us early!
What should students talk about during a live video chat (Skype)?
During the 2012-2013 season all Skype segments will have the same theme—local and state history. Your students should apply what they learn about the Electronic Field Trip topic and connect it to the history of your region. As always, creativity is a plus! The segment will be a conversation between our hosts and your students, with the hosts asking the students questions about what they’ve learned. (The questions and answers will be rehearsed with Colonial Williamsburg staff ahead of time.) At the end, your students may also ask our experts a question related to what they’ve learned about their local history. Download suggested topics for the 2012-2013 broadcast season.
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