Zaption

Free!

Zaption is a video-editing website that allows teachers to embed text, images, drawings, and questions into a video. To begin, teachers must register with the website. After registering, the website provides a brief tutorial of its services and functions. To begin creating a project, teachers must click the “Create New Lesson” option. Next, teachers must input the video they wish to edit by entering its URL into the search box; by browsing available videos on YouTube, Vimeo, and PBS among other options; or by uploading a video from their computer. Once a video is inputted, teachers can title it and then “trim” it by clicking the “scissors” icon and then adjusting the gear heads under the video to capture the segment they wish to use. Once trimmed, teachers can play the video and begin adding questions, text, images, and drawings to it. To do so, teachers must let the video play and then pause it when they get to a spot where they wish to add content. Next, teachers must select the type of content they wish to add to their video by choosing the icon from above the video and dragging it onto the video. As they do, the website will guide them in adding it to the video. In addition, teachers can click the “Element Settings” option to adjust how long the content appears, if the video continues playing while the content appears, and more. As teachers add content, they can adjust when the content will appear by dragging it on the time bar under the video. When ready, teachers can click the “Preview” button to view their work before sharing it with students. When finished, teachers can click the “Publish” button to share the video with students via a URL link or they can click the “Present” button if they are going to show the video to a whole class. After students have viewed the video and responded to it, teachers can track those actions and responses by selecting the video from the “Lessons” dropdown menu, choosing the video, and then clicking the “Analytics” button. Finally, teachers can browse and search lessons created by other users by clicking the “Gallery” button.

Please Note: This website includes additional options and functions that were not included in this review.

Classroom Applications

1. When introducing a topic, teachers can create a video using this website and then have students view it as a preview. As part of the video, teachers can have students respond to questions where they predict what they are going to learn in the upcoming unit. After all students have viewed the video, the teacher can use it as a springboard into a conversation about the upcoming unit.
2. Before a test, teachers can have students view a video they created using this website and answer questions embedded in the video that review key topics and important information.
3. As part of a blended learning lesson, teachers can create a video that explains a topic. As students view the video, they can answer questions embedded in it, and teachers can use those responses as a grade.
4. Teachers can assign students a topic and then have students create a video using this website related to that topic. Once finished, teachers can have students present their video to the class.
5. As a resource, teachers can search the “Gallery” section of this website to find premade videos that they can use in class.

Screenshots