Abstract:
A system for training a participant in professional practice. The system including a video playback device; one or more video recording devices for recording first video footage of a master practitioner interacting with one or more clients, and second video footage of an interviewer interacting with the master practitioner while watching the first video footage on the video playback device; a video editing device for preparing a video segment, the video segment including at least a portion of the first video footage and at least a portion of the second video footage; and a computer network for transmitting data to a training participant, the data including the video segment.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/902,606, filed Sep. 24, 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/846,335, filed Sep. 22, 2006, entitled “Virtual Training System.” Both U.S. application Ser. No. 11/902,606 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/846,335 are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates generally to methods and kits for professional development and training of participants, more particularly, to methods and kits for professional development and training which incorporate video segments and written materials to provide virtual field experiences to participants to accelerate professional development. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    Traditionally, in many professional fields, instruction and development of participants, for example, novice participants, often requires the participants to view master practitioners in action. By doing so, the participants can observe the practical use of theoretical and/or academic techniques by master practitioners in the relevant field. For example, in the educational training field, in particular the professional development of elementary, middle-level, and secondary school teachers and teachers-in-training, actual field observation of master teachers is typically a requisite part of the curriculum for many certified teacher training programs. 
         [0006]    Notwithstanding the obvious benefits to participants that result from such observation, live field experiences still have several drawbacks. For example, the physical presence aspect can be disadvantageous and inconvenient to a participant due to the fact that the participant must travel to and from a particular setting to observe the master practitioner in person. Furthermore, the participant may be limited in terms of access to diverse field experiences encompassing, for example, different environments or settings, diverse student demographics, varying subject matter or content area, and/or different master practitioners. Even more, the presence of the participant may sometimes remove some of the authenticity of the field experience based on the fact that the master practitioner and/or others may be distracted because of the presence of the participant. Moreover, the participant may be a novice in the relevant professional field and, accordingly, is generally unable to see and understand professional techniques being used by a master practitioner. A novice participant also typically lacks the professional vocabulary and know-how to discuss what he/she has seen during the field experience. Also, even when a participant observing a master practitioner in a field experience is able to pick up on the practical application of some theoretical techniques, much of the master practitioner&#39;s methods and applications of essential principles can often be lost because the participant is unable to “get into the head” of the master practitioner during the field experience. 
         [0007]    What is needed then are improved and more readily available methods and materials to accelerate professional development of participants in a given field while also increasing the participants&#39; depth and breadth of understanding in the given field. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method for training a participant in professional practice is provided. The method may include video recording a first session of a master practitioner interacting with clients in a professional environment, video recording a second session of an interviewer interacting with the master practitioner about the first session, preparing a video segment comprising video footage from the video recording of the first session and the video recording of the second session, and providing the video segment to the participant. 
         [0009]    In another exemplary embodiment, the video recording of the first session may include utilizing a first camera substantially directed toward the master practitioner to obtain first video footage. The video recording of the first session may further include utilizing a second camera substantially directed toward the clients to obtain second video footage. The video recording of the second session may include utilizing a third camera substantially directed toward the interviewer and the master practitioner when the interviewer and the master practitioner are watching the first session on a video playback device to obtain third video footage. The video recording of the second session may further include utilizing a fourth camera substantially directed toward the video playback device when the interviewer and the master practitioner are watching the first session on the video playback device to obtain fourth video footage. The preparing of the video segment may include editing together the first, second, and third video footage from the first, second, and third cameras to obtain the video segment, wherein an editor views the fourth video footage from the fourth camera during editing to inform the editing process. The video segment may be stored on a video medium. Alternatively, the video segment may be provided to the participant over a network such as, for example, the internet. The clients may include students and the professional environment may include a classroom. The master practitioner may include a master teacher. The interviewer may include an educational video host. 
         [0010]    In still another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method may include providing an assignment instruction document to the participant. The assignment instruction document may correspond to the video segment. The method may include providing a lesson plan document to the participant. The lesson plan may correspond to the first session. The method may further include providing an analysis document to the participant for use when the participant views the video segment, and providing a rubric document to the participant for guidance in preparing a written assignment about the video segment. The assignment instruction document, the lesson plan document, the analysis document, and the rubric document may be provided to the participant over a network such as, for example, the internet. 
         [0011]    In still another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a kit for training a participant in professional practice is provided. The kit may include a video segment, the video segment comprising video footage from a first video recording of a first session of a master practitioner interacting with clients in a professional environment and a second video recording of a second session of an interviewer interacting with the master practitioner about the first session. The kit may further include an assignment instruction document corresponding to the video segment, a session outline document corresponding to the first session, an analysis document for use when the participant views the video segment, and a rubric document for guidance of the participant in preparing a written assignment about the video segment. 
         [0012]    In another exemplary embodiment, the first video recording of the first session may include first video footage from a first camera directed toward the master practitioner and second video footage from a second camera directed toward the clients. The second video recording may include third video footage from a third camera directed toward the interviewer and the master practitioner viewing the first video recording. The video segment may be stored on a video medium. Alternatively, the video segment may be provided to the participant over a network such as, for example, the internet. The clients may include students. The professional environment may include a classroom. The master practitioner may include a master teacher. 
         [0013]    Further features of the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The foregoing and other features of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of some exemplary embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  depicts a virtual field experience kit according to an exemplary embodiment of the virtual training system; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary process of using the kit of  FIG. 1  by a participant in a professional development program according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates the accelerated professional growth of a participant within a professional development program upon using one or more kits according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  depicts an exemplary screen shot from a web site for accessing features of the kit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 5A-C  depict further exemplary screen shots from the web site for accessing features of the kit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 6A-D  depict an exemplary lesson plan document related to a video segment of the kit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 7A-B  depict an exemplary analysis document related to the video segment of the kit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  depict an exemplary assignment rubric document related to the video segment of the kit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  depicts an exemplary classroom setting for video recording a first session of a master teacher interacting with students for use in obtaining the video segment for the kit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  depicts an exemplary setting for video recording a second session of an interviewer interacting with the master teacher according for use in obtaining the video segment for the kit of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0025]      FIGS. 11A-B  illustrate editing video footage from the first and second sessions of  FIGS. 9 and 10  to obtain the video segment of the kit of  FIG. 1  for viewing by a participant according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DEFINITIONS 
       [0026]    In describing the exemplary embodiments of the invention, the following definitions are applicable throughout. 
         [0027]    A “computer” may refer to one or more apparatus and/or one or more systems that are capable of accepting a structured input, processing the structured input according to prescribed rules, and producing results of the processing as output. Examples of a computer may include: a computer; a stationary and/or portable computer; a computer having a single processor, multiple processors, or multi-core processors, which may operate in parallel and/or not in parallel; a general purpose computer; a supercomputer; a mainframe; a super mini-computer; a mini-computer; a workstation; a micro-computer; a server; a client; an interactive television; a web appliance; a telecommunications device with internet access; a hybrid combination of a computer and an interactive television; a portable computer; a personal digital assistant (PDA); a portable telephone; application-specific hardware to emulate a computer and/or software, such as, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a chip, chips, or a chip set; an optical computer; and an apparatus that may accept data, may process data in accordance with one or more stored software programs, may generate results, and typically may include input, output, storage, arithmetic, logic, and control units. 
         [0028]    “Software” may refer to prescribed rules to operate a computer. Examples of software may include: software; code segments; instructions; applets; pre-compiled code; compiled code; computer programs; and programmed logic. 
         [0029]    A “computer-readable medium” may refer to any storage device used for storing data accessible by a computer. Examples of a computer-readable medium may include: a magnetic hard disk; a floppy disk; an optical disk, such as a CD-ROM and a DVD; a magnetic tape; and a memory chip. 
         [0030]    A “computer system” may refer to a system having one or more computers, where each computer may include a computer-readable medium embodying software to operate the computer. Examples of a computer system may include: a distributed computer system for processing information via computer systems linked by a network; two or more computer systems connected together via a network for transmitting and/or receiving information between the computer systems; and one or more apparatuses and/or one or more systems that may accept data, may process data in accordance with one or more stored software programs, may generate results, and typically may include input, output, storage, arithmetic, logic, and control units. 
         [0031]    A “network” may refer to a number of computers and associated devices that may be connected by communication facilities. A network may involve permanent connections such as cables or temporary connections such as those made through telephone or other communication links. Examples of a network may include: an internet, such as the Internet; an intranet; a local area network (LAN); a wide area network (WAN); and a combination of networks, such as an internet and an intranet. 
         [0032]    An “interviewer” may refer to one who conducts a conversation in which facts or statements are elicited from another. An “educational video host” may refer to an interviewer knowledgeable in a given professional field such as, for example, teaching methodology. 
         [0033]    A “master practitioner” may refer to a person of great skill and experience in a particular profession. In the context of educational training, a master practitioner may be, for example, a “master teacher” which may refer to a person skilled in educational techniques and student development. The master teacher is capable of being videotaped both in the classroom with students and afterwards in an interview with an educational video host. 
         [0034]    “Clients” may refer to individuals receiving information from a master practitioner in a professional environment. Clients may include, for example, “students” which may refer to children (or adults) in a classroom or in other educational setting. 
         [0035]    “Participants” may refer to people who access the virtual training system for professional development and/or educational experience. 
         [0036]    An “assessor” may refer to an instructor or other professional who assesses participants&#39; learning in a professional development program. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0037]    Exemplary embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below. While specific exemplary embodiments are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. In describing and illustrating the exemplary embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. The examples and embodiments described herein are non-limiting examples. 
         [0038]    In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method and a kit are provided for training a participant in professional practices within a given field. Although the following discussion is directed to the employment of such methods and kits in the context of use within a teacher-training program, in particular a K-12 teacher education program, this is done for illustrative purposes only and one of ordinary skill will recognize that the methods and kits may be utilized in other professional training programs related to a variety of disciplines or areas of professional development. The exemplary method and kit may be included within a college course or other professional development program and relate to a virtual training system configured to provide field experiences to participants of such programs in a virtual manner to accelerate and enrich professional development. The system is designed to “get into the heads” of master teachers or other master practitioners in order to convey the complexities of practice (e.g., teaching) and the minute-by-minute decisions that must be made, for example, in the classroom, in order to assure learning for all students. In the educational context, the virtual training system may replicate the experiences that teachers would have if they were to visit a classroom (or multiple classrooms) in the field and observe master teachers. The system improves upon typical field experiences, however, by providing a greater diversity of students, master teachers, and school settings than typical field experiences provide. Additionally, the system provides for the playback of the field experience pinpointing competencies relevant to effective teaching. 
         [0039]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a virtual field experience kit  10  for training a participant may include a video segment  12 , an assignment instruction document  13 , a lesson plan document  14 , an analysis document  16 , and an assignment rubric document  18 . The video segment  12  may include a video segment based on, and composed from, video footage from a video recording of a first session of a master teacher interacting with a classroom of students and a video recording of a second session of an interviewer interacting with the master teacher about the first session. For example, the video segment  12  may include a series of video segments depicting classroom teachers and students engaged in authentic instructional episodes or lessons. Each video segment  12  may include commentary provided by the classroom teacher and an interviewer such as, for example, an educational video host (EVH). The commentary may be designed to provide a “play-by-play” analysis of what transpired in the classroom in terms of theory and practice related to the art of good instruction and/or or the effective application of such theories and practices. Each video segment 12 may include a pairing of two primary elements effectively edited together: (1) video footage of the master teacher and students in the classroom, and (2) an audio and/or video recording of the master teacher and the EVH engaging in an interview or reflective dialogue such as, for example, a “play-by-play” commentary, that teases out the teacher&#39;s application of educational theory, thoughtful implementation of effective teaching practices, and rationale for complex decision-making, which may have otherwise been lost to the participant. That the “play-by-play” commentary is provided by master teacher, as opposed to some outside expert making assumptions regarding why certain decisions were made, is important. The video segment  12  may be embodied in a video storage medium (e.g., a videotape, a digital video disk (DVD), a computer-readable medium, etc.) or downloaded to a computer via a connection to a network (e.g., streamed video, downloaded file, etc.). Thus, the participants may receive the video segment  12  by the video storage medium or downloaded to a computer via a connection to a network. The video segment  12  is discussed further below with reference to  FIGS. 9 ,  10 , and  11 A-B. 
         [0040]    As further depicted in  FIG. 1 , the kit  10  may also include text-based material such as, for example, an assignment instruction document  13 , a lesson plan document  14  (including accompanying materials, student work samples, teacher-made handouts, text book excerpts etc.) configured to build context prior to viewing the video segment  12 , an analysis document  16  for the participants to use during viewing of the video segment, and an assignment rubric document  18 . The assignment rubric document  18  has a dual purpose. On one hand, the participant may use the assignment rubric document  18  as a guide in drafting a written assignment of the video segment. On the other hand, an assessor (e.g., a professor or instructor) may use the assignment rubric document  18  in evaluating or assessing the participant&#39;s written assignment and professional growth of the participant. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the participant begins a virtual field experience with kit  10  at block  20  by first reviewing the assignment instruction document  13 , the lesson plan document  14 , and the analysis document  16  prior to viewing the video segment  12  in order to obtain the context of the video segment  12 . At block  30  the participant views the video segment  12 . At block  40 , the participant completes the analysis document  16  based on the viewing of the video segment  12 . The analysis document  16  may be completed by participants while viewing the video segment  12  and may include, for example, a list of teaching competencies and/or practices of effective instruction known to best advance professional growth, a blank area for participants to indicate evidence of competencies and practices observed while viewing the video segment  12 , and blank area for participants to provide analysis, questions and comments. At block  50 , the participant completes a written assignment regarding the video segment  12  and uses the assignment instruction document  13  and the assignment rubric  18  as a guide in doing so. At block  60 , the participant submits the written assignment to an assessor for evaluation. The learning by participants of the competencies and practices being taught in the video segment and text-based materials may be evaluated by an assessor using the assignment rubric  18 . 
         [0041]    Exposure to multiple virtual field experience kits  101 ,  102 ,  103  (inclusive of video segments, printed materials, and assessments) in a professional development program provides participants with an opportunity to move through the developmental continuum from novice to expert at an accelerated pace and with deeper understanding (see  FIG. 3 ). More particularly, participants who are exposed to multiple kits  10  are provided access to classrooms that cover diverse content areas (e.g., math, science, literacy, etc.), diverse students (e.g., urban, rural, suburban, etc.), diverse grade levels (e.g., preschool, elementary, middle, secondary, college, etc.), and diverse aspects of teaching (classroom management, parent involvement, testing, etc.). Thus, the professional growth of participants may be accelerated through a series of assignments using one or more kits  10 . A professional development program may require participants to view and assess video segments from one or more kits to demonstrate the diversity, authenticity, and complexity of, for example, classrooms today. Video segments from one or more kits may depict and demonstrate, for example, diverse demographics of students, diverse geographical locations (e.g., urban, rural, suburban, etc.), diverse educational needs of students, and/or diverse styles of teaching. One of skill will recognize that this may be the case in any professional development program utilizing the features described herein. 
         [0042]    As embodied in a network-based platform, participants may receive the video segment  12 , text-based material  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and all instructions for interacting with the video segment  12  and text-based material  14 ,  16 ,  18  via an online connection (not shown). The instructions may include, for example, instructions for completing an assignment, links to the text-based materials  14 ,  16 ,  18 .  FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary screen shot of a web page  200  from a web site for accessing features of the inventive field training system such as, for example, kit  10 . In particular,  FIG. 4  provides an introduction to the system  201 , a list of learning objectives  202 , and a direction  203  to proceed to a link (e.g., on a navigation bar—not shown) to the instructions for Virtual Field Experience (VFE) assignment. 
         [0043]      FIG. 5A  is another exemplary screen shot from the web page  200  (e.g., an assignment instruction document) which includes an introduction section  204 , a first instruction section  205  including instructions and links for accessing the text-based materials prior to viewing the video segment  12 , a second instruction section  206  including instructions for viewing the video segment  12  and completing the text-based materials as necessary, and a third instruction section  207  including instructions for analyzing the video segment  12  and drafting a written assignment for submission to an assessor based on such analysis. A link  208  to an assignment rubric may be provided to guide the participant in drafting the written assignment.  FIG. 5B  is a continuation of the exemplary screen shot of  FIG. 5A  and includes further instructions for the completion and submission of the written assignment. Similarly,  FIG. 5C  is another exemplary screen shot from the web page  200  including final notes and comments  209  regarding ongoing professional development. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate an exemplary lesson plan document  300  (session outline document) related to a video segment (instructional episode). In the example shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the lesson plan document  300  relates to a Grade 2 lesson in mathematics, specifically entitled “Mountain Math.” When reviewed prior to viewing the related video segment, the lesson plan document  300  may provide background and context to the participant.  FIG. 6C  further illustrates the exemplary lesson plan  300  related to the video segment including a beginning (introduction), middle (methods/strategies), and end (synthesis/closure).  FIG. 6D  further illustrates the exemplary lesson plan  300  and includes sample student questions for the master teacher and an assessment. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate an exemplary analysis document  400 . As described more generally above, the analysis document  400  may be used to assure purposeful viewing of the related video segment. The analysis document  400  may include competencies and practices selected based on research regarding teacher development and best practices in specific disciplines of teaching. Further, the same competencies and practices are repeated from one virtual field experience to another and are designed to build professional vocabulary and increase knowledge acquisition and depth of understanding of the practice of teaching. 
         [0046]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary assignment rubric  500 . As described more generally above, the rubric  500  may be used by both participants and assessors. A participant may use the rubric  500  as a guide when writing an assignment, which includes an analysis of the video segment. An assessor may use the rubric  500  to evaluate a participants&#39; professional knowledge, vocabulary, ability to recognize and share insights about effective practices. 
         [0047]    The video segment may be obtained from two separate video recording sessions. For the first video recording session, the interaction between a master teacher and students may be recorded using two cameras. The master teacher may be pre-screened (e.g., in a phone conversation) to determine competence and relevance of the course content. The classroom site may also be scouted to ascertain the feasibility for inclusion in a field experience video segment. Little or no preparation of students would be performed so that an authentic learning experience can be captured in the recording. As shown in  FIG. 9 , first and second video cameras  601 ,  602  may be set up in a setting  600  (e.g., a classroom) at a predetermined time of day and allowed to run without stops or retakes and obtain footage of the first recording session. The two-camera system  601 ,  602  shown in  FIG. 9  may obtain footage of a master teacher  603  and students  604  for the first video recording session. The first camera  601  may be focused mainly on the master teacher  603 . The second camera  602  may be focused mainly on the students  604 . The first and second cameras  601 ,  602  may serve to obtain full and spontaneous coverage and capture of both the master teacher  603  and the students  604  in an authentic learning episode (first recording session—timecode #1). 
         [0048]    An interviewer such as, for example, an educational video host (EVH)  605  (not shown in  FIG. 9 ) may prepare for an interview with the master teacher  603 . The EVH  605  may be present and positioned in the rear of the classroom  600  during the first video recording session. The EVH  605  may be viewing two monitors (one for each of the first and second cameras  601 ,  602 ) and may listen through a headset to all of the conversations between the master teacher  603  and the students  604 . The EVH  605  may make notes regarding the master teacher&#39;s  603  use of the teaching competencies and practices listed on an analysis document. The EVH  605  may develop a list of questions and observations, which elicits the thinking behind the master teacher&#39;s  603  actions from notes and identifies important observations/questions with reference to timecode #1 in advance of the interview with the master teacher  603 . Each question relates to an observation of the competencies and practices that would advance a participant&#39;s professional growth. The EVH  605  may not review the questions with the master teacher  603  prior to the interview. 
         [0049]    In a second video recording session depicted in  FIG. 10 , the interview by the EVH  605  of the master teacher  603  is recorded using third and fourth cameras  606 ,  607 . The EVH  605  and master teacher  603  view a playback of the footage from the first video recording session on a video playback device  608 . The third camera  606  may be focused mainly on, and records the interview between, the EVH  605  and the master teacher  603 . The fourth camera  607  may be focused mainly on and records the video playback device  608 . The fourth camera  607  may also show the EVH  605  and master teacher  603  and may include the audio channel for the second session since the fourth camera  607  is a reference for editing. The EVH  605  may use the questions/notes to question the master teacher  603 , resulting in a play-by-play of the instructional episode of the first video recording session. The third and fourth cameras  606  and  607 , thus, capture a reflective conversation between the interviewer  605  and the master teacher  603  to model a reflection process and/or, reflective practice and thereby allow the participant to view and analyze the professional reflective dialogue between two experienced practitioners. 
         [0050]    The footage of the first video recording session (e.g., cameras  601 ,  602  in  FIG. 9 ) includes a first time code, and the footage of the second video recording session (e.g., cameras  606 ,  607  in  FIG. 10 ) includes a second time code distinct from the first time code. The first time code indicates the time in setting  600  of the first video recording session. The second time code indicates the time of the interview for the second video recording session. Both time codes appear on the footage from the fourth camera  607  for use by an editor. For example, the editor may use the video footage from the fourth camera  607  as a reference for how to construct a video segment from cams  601 ,  602 , and  606 . The editor can understand from the video footage from the fourth camera  607  how to cut together video footage from the first session (cameras  601  and  602 , timecode #1) with video footage from the second session of playback conversation (camera  606 , timecode #2). The video footage from the fourth camera  607  may be discarded when the video segment is complete. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate editing the video footage from the first, second, and third cameras  601 ,  602 , and  606  to obtain the video segment  620  for viewing by the participant. As shown in  FIG. 11A , an editor  610  can view video footage from the fourth camera  607  so that the editor  610  has one source displaying both time codes during the editing process. The editor may use a computer  612  or other video editing device for such viewing and for purposes of editing the video footage from the first, second, and third cameras  610 ,  602 ,  606  to obtain the video segment  620 . Thus, the video segment  620  is obtained by using the video footage from the fourth camera  607  to edit together the video footage from the first and second video recording sessions. The video segment  620  may be provided on a video recording medium. Examples of a video recording medium may include: a video tape; a DVD; and a computer-readable medium. Alternatively, the video segment  620  may be obtained via downloading or streaming via a network. 
         [0052]    While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should instead be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.