TOPIC 9.
Development of Technology to Code and Access Videos
of Teacher Practice in One Content Area
for Elementary or Middle or Secondary Instruction

• S.O.S. for Information Literacy: A Tool for Improving Research and Information Skills Instruction
• Audio Based Instructional Video Indexing And Retrieval

SPONSORING OFFICE:
Office of Educational Research and Improvement

Abstract:
With world knowledge doubling every five years, information literacy (the ability to locate, organize, evaluate, manage and use information) becomes an essential attribute of today's self-directed learner. Classroom and technology teachers and library media specialists are challenged to find effective, innovative techniques for teaching research and information skills, especially to young children. With the creative use of current and emerging digital video, database, and information technologies, we propose to design a comprehensive tool, S.O.S., for improving instruction in this critical area. Educators identify relevant situation-specific variable (S.) and desired instructional outcomes (0.). Suggested instructional strategies (S.) are subsequently generated.

These strategies are linked to a database of real-world video demonstrations/model case studies. S.O.S. will be responsive to advancing technology and include system feedback mechanisms as well as direct user input for continuous formative evaluation and improvement. The project will utilize current thinking in the field including the model outlined in the book "Turning Kids On To Research: The Power of Motivation" (Libraries Unlimited, 2000), co-authored by the principal investigator and project consultant. By integrating sound pedagogical principles with real-world practice presented in video case studies, the project will make a valuable contribution to the quality of information literacy skills instruction.

Summary of Anticipated Results and Implications:
The projected results of Phase I include:

1. design specifications of a unique, state-of-the art information system that integrates interactive multimedia, the Internet, cutting-edge information technologies, and innovative instructional techniques,
2. proof-of-concept prototype which demonstrates the functionality of the S.O.S. solution, including random access of model case studies/strategy examples and the instructional strategy generator,
3. integrated formative research and testing results that guide development of the proof-of-concept prototype,
4. a feasibility report indicating the potential for full development in Phase II based on identification of all technical requirements and the results of 1-3 above.

The research-oriented approach in Phase I will culminate in a proof-of-concept prototype which will provide a solid foundation for full development and on-going formative evaluation of S.O.S. in Phase II.

This product will be commercially viable in classrooms, library media centers, preparation programs for teachers and library media specialists in public and private colleges, and in-service training programs for K-12 educators. Distribution avenues include publishers of software and educational materials (including publishers with whom we already have established relationships) and the World Wide Web. There is also potential for expanding the product and market to middle and high school educators.

Abstract:
In the recent years we are experiencing an exploding interest in utilizing the Web for instructional purposes. Academic institutions are clamoring to revise distance education methods to accommodate this growing Web-based instructional delivery and management. As the result, both the quantity and quality of web-based instructional materials have been improved dramatically. As Web-based instructional materials will increasingly include videos for high quality web-based instruction, the need to automatically retrieve and randomly access on-line relevant instructional videos will dramatically increase as well. Tools for conducting such searches using video analysis methods are still under development and are a long way from being well suited and flexible enough to be used for this purpose. Instead of using video, we propose to use audio for video indexing and retrieval. Successful completion of the proposed project will provide a practical approach for indexing and retrieving on-line instructional videos. We propose the audio-based instructional video indexing and retrieval for two reasons. First, this approach is practical and feasible because of existing speech recognition and speech synthesis technologies. Second, it is reasonable because most instructional videos are accompanied with audio.

Summary of Anticipated Results and Implications:
There are numerous applications for the proposed technology. One example of the potential application is the task of retrieving video clips of model teaching. Another example is for distance learning students to randomly access relevant video clips for their problems at hand from a set of lecture videos. In addition to applications in education, this approach can also be applied in many other areas such as search of news videos.

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