Videos for Teaching
Cut-outs for Projects
Plans and Pricingvideo
Net Neutrality - Explained by Common Craft
Posted by: leelefever on December 2, 2014- 9:55am
Topic: Common Craft Video
Categories: electricity, explainer, Explanation, internet, net neutrality, politics, utilities, video, web
Today we've published a new video that explains Net Neutrality.
Note: This video release is special. For the first time in about four years, we're publishing a version of a new video on our website and YouTube so that it can be shared easily.
Why? Because it's about a complex and important subject that could impact all US internet users. This subject deserves to be understood by everyone, so we want to make that easy by making it more sharable.
Watch the video now on YouTube or Common Craft... Continue Reading
"Nuggets" is an animation by German animation director Andreas Hykade. It's an instant classic that exemplifies the beauty of simple yet meaningful communication. It's a must-watch:
Viewing in email? Watch it here.
GoAnimate for Schools - Now with Common Craft Cut-outs
Posted by: leelefever on November 19, 2014- 3:23pm
Topic: GoAnimate and Common Craft
Categories: animation, DIY, Explanation, partner, schools, students, video
We love to see students and teachers work together on Common Craft style videos. Almost every day we see photos and videos from classroom projects like this one. You can find 100's Common Craft style videos on YouTube.
While these live-action videos are awesome, Common Craft style videos can also be created using GoAnimate's online video maker. Last year, we partnered with GoAnimate to offer Common Craft Cut-outs as an upgrade to their standard product. Today, this access has been extended to... Continue Reading
New Video: The Internet of Things - Explained
Posted by: leelefever on November 4, 2014- 5:17pm
Topic: Common Craft Video
Categories: explainer, Explanation, internet, internet of things, sensors, video, web
It's new video time! This video was suggested by Common Craft members and explains a concept called The Internet of Things in just over 2 minutes.
Here's an ExplainerGIF with highlights from the video:
About This video:
The internet is evolving. It used to be made of computers, but today, the internet includes all sorts of “things” that can work together. This video explains the Internet of Things and what it can mean for both individuals and communities.
What it teaches:
Why the... Continue Reading
New Video: Instructional Objectives Explained
Posted by: leelefever on October 9, 2014- 9:51am
Topic: Common Craft Video
Categories: instruction, instructional objectives, teaching, video
We just published a new video that's for all the instructors out there. It explains Instructional Objectives in about 3 minutes:
Highlights from the video:
About This Video:
This video tells the story of an instructor named Mariam. She learns to use instructional objectives to plan her lessons so that her students can demonstrate what they learn in a measurable way. It teaches:
Why instructors need measurable results
Why instructional objectives are important
How instructional objectives... Continue Reading
Book Review - In a Common Craft Style Video
Posted by: leelefever on September 29, 2014- 12:06pm
Topic: Art of Explanation
Categories: book, book review, common craft style, video
I love this. Bruce Herwig, a reader of The Art of Explanation, decided to review the book by creating a Common Craft Style video. He even provided "5 lessons I Learned in Making a Common Craft Style Video" in the blog post. Thanks Bruce!
Reading in email? Watch the video here.
Learn more about Common Craft Cut-outs.
We're big fans of GoAnimate. They make it easy for anyone to create animated videos - even using Common Craft Cut-outs.
Recently they asked about doing an interview with me, but not just any interview. They wanted to make the interview look like an animated talk show. This is where their service really shines.
We talked about my family's business in NC, how Sachi and I get along and of course, explainer videos. The video below was made with GoAnimate - and you can make videos just like it... Continue Reading
Nice Animated Explainer on Planet Earth (and an Intellectual Leap)
Posted by: leelefever on August 5, 2014- 10:52am
Topic: Explainer Tip
Categories: earth, explainer, Explanation, history, science, video
Viewing in email? Watch it here.
The video above by Kurzgesagt is rather long and packed with information, but presented in a manner that makes it easy to understand thanks to good writing and really compelling visuals. I love that it has little humorous bits, like the Secret Dinosaur Society (05:31). Notice the subtle use of comparative visuals, like the deepest hole humans have ever drilled (03:25) when discussing the earth's crust. Overall I think it's great work.
I do have one quibble
In... Continue Reading
New Video: Programming Languages Explained by Common Craft
Posted by: leelefever on May 6, 2014- 10:41am
Topic: Common Craft Video
Categories: Explanation, programming, technology, video
Our new video explains the basics of programming computers - and specifically, programming languages.
Watch it now
About this video:
Computers can perform amazing feats of speed, repetition and calculation. But what they are really doing is following instructions we write in programming languages. This video is designed to help people understand the role of programming languages in computers.
What it Teaches:
How do we tell computers what to do? Using the simple example of a computer... Continue Reading
How Explainer Journalism Creates Customers of News
Posted by: leelefever on April 24, 2014- 1:56pm
Topic: Explainer Journalism
Categories: bitcoin, explainers, Explanation, journalism, news, newsbound, video, vox
In recent months, the world of journalism has seen an increased focus on “explainer” news sites. Examples include new sites like Vox, Newsbound, FiveThirtyEight and The Upshot by The New York Times. The demand for explanations in the news is growing.
Taking a step back, I think it’s interesting to think about why it’s happening and what it could mean for the future.
Let’s start with the goal: If you set out to explain something, your goal is to increase understanding. So, explainer news sites... Continue Reading