How videos can turn classes into smart classes

If there is one thing video in education has done, it has helped to reach a much larger number of students. In fact, there has been a general call to action in the education sector to graduate from traditional textbooks and adopt a holistic video approach. And the benefits of the latter are not unknown. As a complementary tool, videos enhance the quality of teaching and learning in a classroom as well as alternative environments. Now, let’s take a look at the advantages of using videos as part of a curriculum.

Visual stimulation 

Students today instinctively expect to be visually stimulated; very few respond well to the use of text on its own. Visual stimulation encourages students to interact better with content or a concept. It also creates a bigger memory imprint in a student’s mind, making teaching with videos perfect for information retention. Teachers also need to bear in mind that sometimes the concepts they discuss are beyond the realities and experiences of their students. Asking students to write a descriptive paragraph about being on an airplane is a good example. It assumes that all students have been aboard one. Students who haven’t wouldn’t have an idea of where to start. Showing them a video of the interior of an aircraft gives them the insight they need to describe it.

Increased digital literacy

It is vital that students do not see textual and digital literacy as separate entities. They should be regarded as integrated components of education. Digital literacy is a vital 21st-century skill that is a prerequisite for just about any job. The more students are exposed to it at school, the more confident and proficient they will become. Students who film, edit, and exhibit their videos learn invaluable skills.

Remote teaching opportunities

The market for online courses is at an all-time high, and more institutions are capitalising on this trend by using videos available. Not only does this prove to reach out to more students, it also increases the earning capacity of the institution.

The use of videos for online courses means that institutions do not have to hire full-time staff members to teach a course. Ethical use refers to respecting the intellectual property of others. Make sure you obtain the right permissions for videos in online courses.

The scope of videos

Teachers can use videos as an introduction to a concept. A good video is a great hook to get younger students interested. For older students, using videos will prepare them for college. Requiring students to take notes or answer questions based on what they heard imparts listening skills. Teachers can show students how to summarise what they have heard and how to distinguish between core facts and peripheral information.

Classroom videos can be used to complete scientific experiments or make art products.If students have access to cameras, they can complete assignments and submit them in video form. With the advent of smartphones, a video assignment is quite practical.

Higher stimulation 

The use of videos stimulates the cognitive processes of thinking, reasoning, problem-solving, decision-making, and creating. Videos take the student beyond recall-and-relate activities by engaging them with more complex themes.

In today’s challenging social and economic environment, critical thinkers who can use lateral thought to come up with solutions are invaluable. When we encourage this kind of thinking early on in a student’s life, it’s likely to become an integral part of his or her approach. Critical thinkers tend to see opportunities rather than problems. Using videos as an additional resource to get students to think outside the box should not be underestimated. Any methods that challenge students to go above and beyond the scope of banal, conventional thought processes should be incorporated in the classroom.

The variety of videos available

Given that educational videos can be used in so many ways, it is vital that teachers explore options while choosing videos. Based on the videos they have access to and have the authorisation to use, they can decide how to use them. A teacher can determine if a video is applicable as an introduction or for extension work, etc. The video he or she chooses must be ‘fit for purpose’, which means it must match its intended purpose.

A teacher ensures that a student is authorised to use the video and he or she has the right equipment to use during class. There is a massive amount of content for teachers to choose from. Taking a bit of time to view several videos to find the right one is essential.

Teachers become facilitators

When a teacher uses videos in their classroom, they briefly step out of their own role and adopt one that of a facilitator. They step back and allow students to undergo the learning process under their own supervision. This provides a teacher with better insight into their students, their learning styles and capacities, and what stimulates them. A teacher can keep all these factors in mind when planning future lessons.

Video hosting is a growing industry

Platforms that allow innovative video makers to share their work are becoming increasingly popular. They create a centralised place for teachers to search for educational videos. Several video hosting services have emerged in the age of student video education.

When selecting a service to use to showcase your videos, specific factors must be considered. It must be a reliable service that does not have a reputation for crashing. The service should have protections in place to eliminate pirating or hacking. It must be able to process and accommodate more extended video clips. And most importantly, it needs to be cost effective.