Teach to Learn Video Contest FAQ

Are you looking for something fun to do this summer that doesn’t involve sitting on the couch binge-watching TV shows?  Do you want to keep your skills sharp and teach others something new in the process?  SSAMCAST is holding its first contest called the Teach to Learn Video Contest, starting on June 29th!  Create a course teaching about a subject from our pre-approved categories and upload it onto ssamcast.com, which will be open to the public soon!  You will have the chance to win $1000 and there are several runner-up prizes as well.  Work by yourself or with a group of friends and have fun by teaching in a new and creative way. 

Find out more about the contest below the cut!

FAQ

Q: What subjects are allowed?

• Math- Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, Statistics, Math for C.S or Engineering
• Science- Biology, Physics, Organic Chemistry, Cosmology and Astronomy
• Computer science- Computer programming, Program coding, C++ Programming, UNIX, Web Applications, Computer Networking
• Test-prep- SAT1, SAT2, ACT, GMAT, GRE, PCAT, MCAT
• Business- Marketing, Accounting, Finance

Q: What kind of video should I make?

Teach to Learn doesn’t have a lot of restrictions as far as the video format goes- you can do anything from a skit to a recorded lecture!  Depending on the subject you decide to cover, some methods of teaching may be more effective than others.  What matters is that you present the information in an interesting way that helps others to learn and grow in their knowledge of whichever subject you choose to explain. 

Here is a list of some ideas you can do for the contest:

• Music and Typography- Make a song about one of the topics listed and create a video that explains it using words.  For example- This video of Tom Lehrer’s slightly derisive but educational song “New Math” is animated with words and pictures to explain the lyrics.

• Lecture- Record yourself in a classroom or in a quiet setting teaching about your subject.  You can use visual aids like a whiteboard or posters, just like if you were teaching a room full of students! 
• Stop Motion- Many popular teaching videos found on Youtube are done through a technique known as stop motion.  “Draw My Life” videos are typically done in this style, where the video features a white board and a voiceover explaining the writing or drawings.

 Q: How long does the video have to be?

Video entries must exceed five minutes for any individual video.

 Q: What can I get out from entering this contest?

Aside from the monetary prizes, submitting a video onto SSAMCAST and signing up on ssamcast.com will allow you to reach a worldwide audience with your knowledge.  You can become apart of SSAMCAST's community and take advantage of the many features it provides.  Not only will you upload a course, you can access all of the content uploaded by other users.

Q: I’m not comfortable filming myself- are there any other alternatives?

The video contest doesn’t have to be limited to filming yourself- there are plenty of ways to make a video without being in front of the camera.  You can do an up-close video of just your writing on a whiteboard and provide a voice over narration.  If you have some computer graphics skills, put them to use!  Make your video truly unique by adding your own drawings and animations to a lesson.

Q: I don’t have the resources to make a video.

You don’t need a studio-quality video camera to enter- most phones have recording capabilities.  If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, we have an office located in Berkeley, CA where our team would be happy to film your video for you.  Send a message to us through our Facebook page if you’re interested.

What kind of course are you planning to make for the contest?  Do you have any other questions not covered in the FAQ?  Please comment with your opinions below!
Find out more about the contest here --> http://ssamcast.com/event/contest_information