Videos in the Classroom
Tech Tip Tuesday (October 24, 2023)
Intentionally use videos! They're great!
Visual media provides valuable learning opportunities that go beyond engagement and entertainment. In today's media-saturated world, developing media literacy is essential for students of all ages. When teachers show movies, TV shows, or videos in the classroom, it presents a chance to help students think critically about different types of media.
Just as students learn to read text and compose written works, becoming media literate involves learning to analyze and "read" visual and video content carefully.
Using visual media in the classroom allows educators to guide students in unpacking messages, evaluating truthfulness, identifying techniques used to influence viewers, and reflecting on their own responses.
With practice, students can sharpen their ability to be informed, aware, and thoughtful consumers and creators of media. This kind of critical analysis is a vital capability that will serve them throughout their lives.
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Follow these quick tips to use them with efficiency & effect!
1️⃣ Keep video or clip length between 30 seconds to 5 minutes to keep engagement high and focus present.
- If it's a longer video with crucial information, break it up into 3 minutes or less chunks to keep focus on learning versus entertainment or monotony. Break it up easily with Google Slides or Nearpod!
3️⃣ Provide a clear focus with guiding questions before watching and check for understanding with questioning during videos, not just at the end.
4️⃣ Use them for introducing a complex concept, reviewing content, or supplementing a tricky idea, not replacing core instruction.
5️⃣ Enable closed captions for accessibility. It will help more students than distract.
Brian Krause, Instructional Technology Coach
Email: bkrause@ltcillinois.org
Website: https://calendly.com/bkrauseltc
Phone: (815) 362-4791
Twitter: @bmkeducation
