[cross-posted at the TechLearning blog]
The nation’s first presidential primary is rapidly approaching here in the state of Iowa. I thought it might be appropriate to blog about new media and politics…
As a former Social Studies teacher, I’ve been intensely interested in how the presidential candidates (and their supporters) are using online video channels in this election season. Below are the top two most-viewed pro-candidate YouTube videos for each major contender (plus I included Ron Paul because he has such a strong Internet following). View counts are in parentheses after each video title. Although all of the videos listed are positive depictions, they may or may not be ‘official’ videos from candidates’ campaign teams. If you watch these, you will see that there are major differences regarding style, depth, and substance of message. It’s very clear that most political candidates haven’t yet figured out how to use this medium to great effect. Compared to television and print advertising, online videos are awfully inexpensive and have few length/time restrictions. Why not make the most of it?
There are a wealth of possibilities here for Social Studies and other teachers. We have unprecedented opportunities to engage in critical analysis of political messages, oppositional videos, media manipulation, etc. Students can discuss what makes an effective political video message (pro or con) and can even make their own (with the concurrent chance to reach and converse with a potentially large audience, which would be its own learning opportunity). I wonder how many teachers and administrators are really taking advantage of this stuff…
Hillary Clinton
1. Join the Hillary Clinton 2008 Myspace (1,186,489)
2. I need your advice (638,232)
John Edwards
1. What are you going to do to bring about change? (375,214)
2. We the people (192,040)
Rudy Giuliani
1. Obama Girl v. Giuliani Girl (1,661,241)
2. Rudy on his 12 commitments (361,158)
Mike Huckabee
1. Mike Huckabee responds to evolution question (1,816,458)
2. HuckChuckFacts (1,264,535)
Barack Obama
1. I got a crush … on Obama (4,407,776)
2. Vote different (4,110,758)
Ron Paul
1. Ron Paul ad – awesome! (1,960,265)
2. Stop dreaming (1,141,756)
Mitt Romney
1.America’s single greatest challenge? (470,279)
2. Interview with Jan Mickelsen (204,938)
Notes
I selected the candidates by using results from the latest CNN poll. Videos were obtained by going to YouTube, searching on a candidate’s name, and then sorting by View Count, All Time. View counts were current as of December 31, 2007.
While I agree that online video ads have few time restrictions, they are not necessarily “cheap”.
A business can spend just as much money producing a high quality video ad for the internet as they can for TV.
True , you don’t have the airtime charges…but businesses are finding that “cheap” looking YouTube ads don’t necessarily present their product in the best light
Here’s some examples of how businesses are using video on the internet
http://www.tvwebpro.com
Terrific resources, Scott. Thanks for compiling them.
I referenced this posting on my blog http://cliotech.blogspot.com/ and included instructions for converting those videos into mpg/mov files for those teachers who might want to use them in a school that blocks YouTube. I work in a district that blocks YouTube. Yet, I was able to convert the videos you posted into mpgs with Zamzar because you included the links.
Here are those instructions:
If you cannot access YouTube from school, consider downloading the videos with Zamzar so that they will play directly from your computer.
http://www.zamzar.com/url/
Copy and paste the URL of the YouTube video you want to convert
Click “Add URL”
Select the video format you want to convert the YouTube Flash video (.flv) into – I suggest .mpg or .wmv for Windows users and .mov for Apple users.
Input your e-mail address
Click “Convert”
Zamzar will send you an e-mail alerting you when your file has been converted. Follow the directions contained in the e-mail to download your converted video file to your computer. Zamzar will store your converted file for 24 hours.