Do you want a fun new way to assess your students? Would you like to teach your methods students and pre-service students how to self-assess/reflect on their current teaching practices? The GoPro is a fun hands-on innovative way to assess current teaching practices that provides instant feedback for your student.

The GoPro is a camera that can be used to capture video and photos of all kinds! It has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities which allows you to connect to the GoPro Studio app on your computer, IPad, IPhone, etc. It comes with several attachments such as a camera protective case (with several backdoors, one being water proof), the head strap and various “holds”. The GoPro comes in three models which vary in price. The white GoPro is the simplest and least expensive. It is capable of capturing video and photos; however, the quality is limited. The next is the silver and it is a step up from the white with video and photo quality improved greatly. The last is the GoPro black and it is the top of the line, used for adventure such as deep sea diving. The black GoPro is the most expensive and the video and photo quality is top notch! If you are interested you can investigate further at Cost for the GoPro White is $232.00 (on Amazon), GoPro Silver is $399.99, and GoPro Black is $499.99.

There are several reasons to use the GoPro in your curriculum:

  • Use as an assessment tool for students.
  • Use as a tool for pre-service teachers to self-assess and reflect on current teaching practices.
  • Athletic Training can use the GoPro as an assessment tool for modalities and clinical settings.
  • Wild Life and Fisheries (under water research).
  • Photography in various settings/environments.
  • Theater, actors and actresses can assess/reflect on skills.
  • An instructor can assign students to complete a task/skill using the GoPro, collect the footage, and assess at a later time.
  • Athletics can use the GoPro for skill breakdown.
  • And many more!

I am currently using the GoPro in my methods course as well as with pre-service teachers. My students use the GoPro, capture video, import it into the GoPro Studio app (free app), and self-assess using a provided rubric. Next, they use the data collected from their self-assessment to drive decisions regarding their current teaching practice. My students are implementing change! Next, after my students assess themselves, they clip a segment from their video using the GoPro Studio app, import it onto our private Facebook page, and gain feedback from both their peers as well as myself. This has been a great experience sharing of stories, experiences, concerns, and advice for both my students and pre-service teachers as well for myself.

Thanks, Angie Williams, HPE