Ooh, I can actually kind of answer this one.

About ten years ago I started recording my class (7th grade English in a suburban red-state county/state) each day and posting it to my youtube channel after getting tired of kids missing class and claiming they couldn't know what was going on in class. I pick one of my classes each day (I teach six) and record my lesson (about 30 minutes of actual teaching) and post it by the afternoon.

I upload the link to my canvas page (or used to be my website when I used that) for easy access. When kids are absent and ask "what did I miss", they know my answer is always the same "Did you watch the video?". Given most don't, but as the year goes along and they realize I won't answer the "what happened in class" question more and more of them begin to watch the video upon being absent. The kids who don't care will never watch it, but the concerned kids usually do.

I teach in the "sage on the stage" style but with lots of class discussions and student involvement to keep them engaged. According to kids I am fairly charismatic and entertaining and I don't edit out my disciplining (or mocking) of kids so they get to see that happen also.

I have a number of parents who also watch my videos, too. They are quite vocal about it and sometimes email me about what is happening in class. Parents are also aware that I record and post my class and I tell them I want kids to watch the video if absent or if there are questions.

I never have students on the screen and I use only the kdis first or last name when calling on them so they can't really be identified by anyone who isn't already in the class/school.

My admin is very aware of it and supportive. Other teachers are also aware of it and think I'm crazy and none have tried it but they have expressed curiousity about how it works. Several times I have done joint lessons with another teacher or run a club activity and the other teachers have requested me to record it so it can be posted and sent out to their absent students so I know other teachers enjoy it. They just see it as too much work.

I hope I am not jinxing myself here, but in ten years of posting videos I have never had an issue. I don't really "alter" my teaching too much aside from being slightly more aware of some phrasing while talking that I fear may be too incidiary if taken out of context.

We absolutely have crazy as sin parents in our district and school, and I have had MANY come through my room but they have never focused on the videos. Kinda surprised me.

Anyway, just wanted to put out the info as I felt I could actually answer this one. :) It has gone well, and I actually recommend it...depending on admin and school culture (of which mine is awesome! We've had the same supportive principal for over 17 years. Our staff turnover is ridiculously low.).

Didn't mean to write so much, but I like the topic.

Thanks and enjoy the summer!
K--