How Do I Block Out Names or Faces in a Video?

When you record your videos for edTPA, you must always keep confidentiality in mind. Recording virtual instruction means that students’ names may be visible on screen – it is your responsibility to remove this personal information before you submit your videos as part of your edTPA portfolio.

Some counties may also require you to block out student faces – you can use the same steps shown here to block out faces if needed. If you accidentally record someone who should not have appeared in your video, you should block them out of your video as well.

Contents

If You Have a PC (with Windows 10)

Follow the steps in the video to block out names.

Alternatively, you can use the steps in the written tutorial below.

Windows 10 – Using Photos to Block Out Faces

If You Have a Mac

Follow the steps in one of the following tutorials to block out names. (Please note that in iMovie, you can only block out one area of the screen. If you have a more complicated video, see below for another option.)

If You Have a PC or a Mac and a Complicated Video

If you do not have any of the above software (or if you have multiple faces to block out and/or the faces are moving too much for the above options to work well), you can try OpenShot Video Editor. This program is free to download and provides more functionality than the built-in Windows video editor or iMovie.

Follow the steps in the video to block out names.

Alternatively, you can use the steps in the written tutorial below.

Windows or Mac – Using OpenShot for edTPA Video Editing

Please note that you do not need to purchase any special software for the purpose of edTPA – blocking out a name or face with a shape is sufficient. Just explain in Prompt 1 of your Task 2 Instruction Commentary that you blocked out personally identifying information.

If you are having trouble, please reach out to the edTPA Coordinator for assistance.

 

Skip to toolbar