YouTube Video Annotation
Last night during a general browse of YouTube I ran across a link to a new feature called Video Annotation. This appears to be a new feature that has only just been launched and I’m in the process of experimenting with it to determine it’s functionality, opportunities, strengths and weaknesses.
I’ll report more on this when time permits (see updates below).
In the meantime here is an initial clip I put together. Unfortunately it appears that annotations aren’t devolved to embedded instances of the clips, so to view the annotations I’ve included in the above video you’ll need to visit the original version on YouTube.
From YouTube Support site (”What are video annotations“):
“Video annotations are a new way for you to add interactive commentary onto your videos!
You control what the annotations say, where they appear on the video, and when they appear and disappear. You can even link from an annotation to another YouTube Video, Channel, or Search result.
To get started, log into your YouTube account and choose one of two options:
Option 1:
- Click “Account” at the top of any page.
- Under “Manage My Videos”, click “Videos, Favorites, & Playlists”.
- Find the video you’d like to add annotations to.
- Click the “Annotate Video” button.
Option 2:
- Choose to play one of your videos.
- At the bottom of your video description box (on the right) you have “Video Owner Options” on a blue background.
- Click the “Add/Edit Annotations” button.
For more info on how to create and edit annotations, please visit: “How do I create or edit video annotations?”
Video annotations, once published, are shown by default. You can turn them off while watching a video through the “Menu” button on the bottom right of the video player.
Please note: Video annotations are available now as a “beta” feature. We’re working hard to get this out of beta and, once we do, annotations will officially support languages other than English, embeds, and full-screen playback.”
Update 1: Educational Implications
I’m pretty disappointed in the limitations of the new annotation feature in some respects. What could have been a truly useful tool for providing supplemental reference material has been seriously hindered by the restrictions. Specifically:
No Outbound Links:
The ability to include embedded links to contextually relevant external material would be so beneficial in expanding the scope and depth of the message - however this is not permitted currently. By formatting URL references as a clickable link - particularly that spawned in a new tab or window - students would be able bring up additional information to refer to after viewing the clip.
For example, a clip on water conservation could embed links to wikipedia articles, research papers, quotes, news articles, assignments, discussion forums, etcetera.
However as it stands currently that’s not possible. The only recognised links are those within YouTube - be they search results, channels or other links.
Instructors could of course format the links as static text that students could type into their browser manually, however this is not nearly as effective as the clickable version as the static link would need to be displayed for a much longer duration and would inevitably distract and detract from the main message.
Annotations Not Shown in Embedded Instances:
Equally frustrating is the fact that embedded instantiations of the video clips do not display the annotations (at least currently). To view them users must visit the site specifically. In many regards this drastically reduces the value of the annotation tool to education, since video can do only so much for elaboration after which point textual elements are required.
Educators would be forced into a situation where they are either repeating their key points in two separate locations - once as an annotation in the local YouTube clip and again in text at the embedded location - or forgoing the annotation entirely.
Embedded media is an incredibly effective way to convey a message. Not only does the visual element increase engagement, it also caters to different learning styles. Given the systemic drought of time availability experienced by academic staff I can’t see them doing both.
I can only hope that the functionality of the video annotation tool will be expanded over time, because it could become a very useful tool.
Update 2 (CORRECTION): Referring to the quote from the YouTube support site above I note YouTube indicates:
“Please note: Video annotations are available now as a “beta” feature. We’re working hard to get this out of beta and, once we do, annotations will officially support languages other than English, embeds, and full-screen playback.” (Emphasis mine)
Therefore it would seem that YouTube has every intention of pushing annotations out to embedded instances in the future, which is very good news.
References:
- “Video Annotation“, Mike Bogle, YouTube, 05 June 2008
- “How do I create or edit video annotations?”, YouTube Support, Accessed 5 June 2008
