This week, our class explored the role of videos in education and how they can enhance student learning. Throughout my own schooling, videos were often used to introduce or reinforce concepts, and I always found them to be a helpful supplement to traditional instruction. I especially remember watching science and history videos that made abstract or complex topics more engaging and easier to understand. One key benefit of videos is their ability to bring concepts to life whether it’s watching a chemical reaction unfold in real time or seeing historical events reenacted, they provide a level of visualization that textbooks alone can’t offer.
Another advantage of videos is their flexibility. Students can watch at their own pace, pause, rewind, and review as needed, making them a great tool for independent learning. Even if a teacher doesn’t use a video in class, providing students with additional resources they can access at home can be beneficial. We also discussed how both teachers and students can create their own videos as a way to enhance learning. Teachers might record step by step demonstrations or explanations for students to reference later, while students can use video projects as a creative way to showcase their understanding of a topic.
To build on this discussion, we had a video editing workshop with Rich McCue from the Digital Scholarship Commons. He introduced us to iMovie and Clipchamp, both user-friendly video editing programs. While I have some experience with video editing, I typically use different software or apps on my phone, so it was interesting to see how these tools compare. I found iMovie straightforward and easy to navigate, making it a great option for beginner editors or students working on projects. The workshop also introduced features like green screen effects and layering, which I hadn’t experimented with much before. I can see how these tools could be useful in the classroom, whether for teacher created instructional videos or student led projects. This experience has given me a lot of ideas for how I could incorporate video into my own teaching practice in the future.