Week 6: Videos online

Online video has improved by leaps and bounds in the last few years - there's more of it, for sure, but the quality is much higher (bigger screen sizes, fewer pauses when watching). This change is largely about improvements in technology - digital video cameras are much more common (including on standard digitial cameras and mobile phones), highspeed internet access is more common (important for watching videos but also for uploading them to the internet), video editing software has become far less expensive (often free online or pre-installed on newly purchased computers), and online storage (server space) has dropped dramatically in price.

That last one, the price of online storage, has been revolutionary - without it, companies like YouTube and Google video would not be able to host videos from millions of users without charging them a cent. Note: Google video hosts longer videos than YouTube which has 10 minute cap. The (relative) ease of creating video, uploading it to the web, and storing it in an easy-to-access environment is starting to impact the way our society gets its news. Think about it - anyone with a digital camera can capture a news event on their mobile phone video camera and save it to an online video account. Anyone remember the recent Australian election when both the government and opposition used YouTube video clips?

Video Embedding
All YouTube videos offer code that allow you to embed a video (it doesn't have to be yours - you can embed any video you find on YouTube) on your website or blog. Look below where I've embedded an outstanding video on Web 2.0 - click on the play icon to start it up, press pause to make it stop.

ContentNow, please understand that it's not just serious stuff - reporting, politics, web 2.0. There's thousands and thousands of fun, even useless, videos on YouTube for your watching pleasure.

Discover: Try searching these examples in YouTube AND Google video:
  • “lego”
  • “Liverpool plains”
  • “Kogarah”

But what about libraries? Check out We love our NJ libraries and QandANJ: Now Your Library is Open Late Night Too! Can you find any other interesting examples?

Explore: How about showcasing oral histories, library building projects, staff orientations, guides to using library services, book reviews or exhibitions? There are many opportunities to use video out there.

Blog about your discoveries in both YouTube and Google video [hint try searching Mosman Library]. What possibilities can you think of for your organisation?

Feedback: Click here to take survey to let us know how you are going with the learning 2.0 program.

Adventure: Find a YouTube video you like and embed it in your blog.
That's it for this week, thanks for reading and doing.

Next up – tagging and folksonomies!

32 comments:

Country Gal said...

How do you embed the video into your Blog? U can add it as a VIDEO BAR is that what you ment? I cant find anywhere to uplaod a link from youtube, or how to save a youtube file to your computer so you can upload it from there??
Because when you want to add a video it says 'up load from your computer'
thanks!

Jalen said...

I've heard of YouTube being used during the last Federal election but couldn't be bothered checking this out. But with Google Video, this is my first time to know about its existence. And hey , this is great! I really enjoyed watching Mosman Library's Author Talks. And I can see many possiblities in our own library to use both YouTube and Google Video in several areas, such as oral history, presentation of heritage-listed buildings, exhibitions, displays in motion, sample or model lessons in English language conversation classes, online tour of the library, storytime, HSC discussion groups, celebration of local, national and international events, launch of latest initiatives or projects, and many more. Now, we just need to get a really good video/digital camera to capture those special moments.

and Billy the Immortal said...

Embedding a video into my blog means I can now join in with my friends and share videos with them as they do with me, only different.

pls@slnsw said...

To embed a video on YouTube you need to copy a really long address.

When you have found the video you want to embed, find the section of the screen (towards the top right hand side) where it says "about this video" (this will be in a grey box).

You then need to find the very small print underneath this which says 'embed'. Copy the entire chunk of text (and it is a big chunk 0f text) into your blog post. This should embed your video.

Ellen (PLS)

swallow said...

I was successfully embedded two videos from youtube and google videos, and find it's very easy done. You can go to embed code and find a long code then post it on html of your blog, it's done.I was also successfully uploaded a video taken by my mp4 into the blog http:ofmerebeing.blogspot, though it took a much longer time than embedding. So far so good.

Bambino Velostra said...

I must admit I hadn't used Google video before. I have noticed on YouTube.com you often find a video (such as a comedy routine or program) broken down into parts because of the capped time, but I hadn't really thought about it much. Author talks are certainly better being viewed in one go without all the interruptions!

Dapto Library Tuesday Book Club said...

Once I found the video I wanted to embed (with keywords) I just went into customize, clicked on 'Add page element" and went to 'Video Bar'. Typing in my same keywords brought up the video I wanted, then just 'save changes'. Easy.

Alex Lantana said...

Loved the video - made me a bit nostalgic for card catalogues - (but don't miss having to do the filing).

There was content within it I would like to check out but it all rushed past in a blur and the squinty size is a bit annoying.

I noticed on Google video though,you can change the image size to full screen, but it does result in aloss of clarity. The image gets quite pixalated.

I looked at some of the Library tour videos on YouTube - al ot of them are really embarrassing, boring and poorly executed.

I know that video sharing sites are great because it allows anyone with a camera to create content. But I do feel if libraries are going to use it for promotion there should be a degree of professionalism and quality in the productions. (The Mosman ones are ok but at around an hour each it was chewing through my download limits)

Lilly said...

I have made a video to tape my Angel fish laying eggs but I am wondering if I can delete the background noise and replace it with the music of my choice.

wscaster said...

Loved this week, but can someone tell me if they were able to embed a Google Video on their blog and if so HOW????? YouTube wasn't to bad...but Google has me stumped!

Shell said...

We can all see possibilities for our own library in YouTube and Google Video - but what is the goal of these activities? How are we measuring the success of these activities? Is 20 hits or 2000 hits on a video successful? I jsut think we need to sit down and decide on what we want to achieve before we dive headling into these sort of activities.

Louise said...

We are having technical IT difficulties with access to You Tube - is it ok to miss week 6 videos online at the moment and go on to week 7, then return to week 6 when the difficulties have hopefully been resolved?

pls@slnsw said...

Louise
That will be fine. It is okay to do the course in a different order - as long as you complete the course. I hope your IT situation is resolved soon.

Ellen

Bambino Velostra said...

In response to wscaster's problem embedding a Google video, I just tried the following and it worked:
On the right hand side of the video, there is a blue button stating "Email - Embed HTML". If you click on that, it then says Send Link - Embed HTML. Click on the Embed HTML link and you will see the code. Copy and paste the code into your new blog post window (you can use the Compose view, don't have to use the HTML view). Anyhow, give it a try!

busybooks said...

Found it hard to copy the full embed command from YouTube - was only getting the first part. Finally succeeded but do not know how I did it.

Helen said...

I did have problems with this! But persevered - I wasnt able to copy the link completely - each time I did it, only a small portion of the link copied. In the end I copied it into Word and copied it back into my blog. Any reasons why that was a problem?

tracy24 said...

I also found it a bit difficult to embed a video - I kept getting only the first bit of the "address", even though when it worked, I did exactly the same thing as I'd been doing. Frustrating......
But, I can see the benefits of using these tools in libraries.

Marg Trundle said...

I have enjoyed this however had a little trouble copying a URL from You Tube however succeeded with Google video.Have had a little help from my IT friend however I am learning and enjoying learning.

Marg Trundle said...

I have justed repeAted the excercise for You Tube and Google video.The first try didnt work properly however the second one worked fine. As some has said, it is easy when you know how.

Jane Scott said...

I have just embedded a video onto my blog but got three for the price of one. After reading some of the comments I will have another go at it as I didn't want three.

Library Trekker said...

I have just embedded a Youtube video. I clicked on "more share options" and followed the prompts. It is easy as you already have a google log in. Next time you want to share you just click on share and all the info is there.

I'm wondering if this would be a good way to share storytime ideas etc. Sometimes seeing is easier than reading, especially for big performances like Book Week.

Adventure said...

Have read all the comments and instructions but still can't embed a YouTube video, I keep getting 'Error on page'. I've found 'embed' and copied but when I try to paste into the window that comes up in blogspot when I click on the 'Add video' icon, it doesn't seem to recognise it. I've tried in both the 'Compose' and 'Edit html' views.

Jack Russell said...

I thought it was very exciting to see how other libraries are using online video for reader education, staff training and book reviews. As as local studies librarian I had to admire the oral history segment and the local history scenes of harvesting at Gunnedah. I made a video using a small point and shoot digital camera and editied it in MS Movie Maker, I added a soundtrack and title and found a slider to balance the added soundtrack against the live sound, check it out here: http://bmlmanager.blogspot.com/
And remember even Spielberg started out simple!

Jack Russell said...

I really enjoyed week 6 and had to admire the libraries that are using embeded and online video for rader education, staff training and book reviews. As local studies librarian I was inspired by the oral history at Broken Hill and local history recordings of harvesting at Gunnedah.
I made a short video with a pocket camera and edited it with MS Movie Maker, the music and live soundtrack were balanced with the slider control, it's here:
http://bmlmanager.blogspot.com/
And remember even Spielberg started out basic!

Alba said...

I'm not sure why you have said there is a 10 minute cap on videos in YouTube because I have watched Michael Wesch's video, An anthropological introduction to YouTube, and it's 55:33 mins long - and every last second of it makes fascinating viewing

Corplib said...

Once I found help on blogger for embedding video from YouTube is was very easy.

I found lack of instructions within the Libraries Learning frustrating.

This is another good way of sharing holiday videos etc.

megp said...

It took me a few goes but I finally managed, with help, to embed a video. There would be loads of library applications for this, but as someone has already commented, quality is important to consider

Linda said...

I found a short video on YouTube entitled Super Librarian and I successfully embedded that on my blog. I was actually looking for a video clip that I could use for library staff training on the reference interview... until I remembered that our Council has blocked YouTube from our public access and staff computers so I'll have to shelve that one!
Definitely applications for staff training, and introducing new members to the library.

L-Blogger said...

Like others, I've had problems embedding the video from YouTube. I followed the instructions and succeeded with my chosen video, however the other 3 sample videos displayed with it. How can I remove these ? I tried to load others, thinking that they would displace the samples but just succeeded in replacing my own original choice. Otherwise, it is great to view my grandson's antics via Youtube, and also even better for his distant grandma in Ireland to view. I'm now a subscriber to his site.

monica.swrl said...

I'm feeling very clever ! I've embedded a video into my blog and love that I'm learning so much.

bloggersbeware said...

As I already use videoing and youtube, etc, in my personal life, this activity was fun. I am comfortable with importing and exporting videos on the net.

bloggersbeware said...

I already use yutube and videoing in my personal life, so I was happy checking this lesson out. The lesson on RSS feeds still bugs me, and now they are changing it, hopefully for the better.