Considerations for Best Practices:

Videos and video tools can be extremely powerful in the classroom when they are used correctly.  However, there are many factors to consider when integrating these technologies into education.  SPARKed offers some great ideas for finding effective video material and for incorporating videos for enhanced student learning.  Here are some things to consider:

Before Showing:

• Preview the content to be sure it is appropriate
• View related print and Web materials if there are any available
• Select short segements that are truly applicable to your lesson
• Prepare the classroom environment (lighting, sound, where you will stand to present it) and video equipment
• Ask students to write about what they know on the subject before seeing the video

During Viewing:

• Give students a specific assignment to focus on while viewing
• Show one short segment at a time so that you can direct the learning experience
• Make students aware of production techniques, camera angles, etc. that will give them clues about the delivery of the content
• Consider viewing first without any sound (you could even add your own narration)
• Consider listening without showing picture first

After Viewing:

• Encourage group work and discussions

To see SPARKed's full document regarding using video in the classroom follow this link.

Questions to consider:

• Does the video tool support the curriculum in a way that is essential or helpful in learning the material?
• Is the video tool easy for my students to use so that it does not overshadow the concept I am trying to teach?
• If I am showing a video clip, am I making sure that the clip allows my students to reflect and make personal connections to what I am showing?
• Am I following copyright procedures with the video clips that I am using in the classroom?

Here are some helpful websites for teachers wishing to implement video tools effectively in the classroom:

http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/projects/edtechcentral/DigitalStorytelling/default.htm

This website has examples of effective video use in the classroom as well as numerous links to excellent video-making resources and copyright considerations:

http://scenariosusa.org/index.html

This website illustrates how videos can bes used to teach about current issues and concerns.

http://www.eschoolnews.tv/

This website shows how students have used video tools to make their own news programs and other video projects.

Video Tools Overview Page