Monday, August 17, 2009

Video

I have used quite a few video's since I been teaching in classrooms. I find them to be excellent tool to introduce, explain and explore topics. Video's can often show students what a book, picture or discussion can not. They are also great to engage the class as they offer a different perspective to the learning experience. For example last year I did some lesson's for a grade six class on Tsunami's. I used a PowerPoint to explain all the technical information but it was not until showing them the video of an actual Tsunami that they truly grasped the sheer size of them. From that video the class got a much better understanding and knowledge of Tsunami's and the damage they can cause. The pedagogical reasons for using video are many. They can be used for introducing a topic, problem task or to demonstrate the overall aim and goals for a topic or task. Video's are also an excellent way to 'recongnise and provide for students' individual differences' (Marzano & Pickering, 2006) and allows teachers to show introduce student's to literature from all around the world. However, it is very important that teachers using video's make them very specific to the instructional purpose of the lesson. Not just as a time filler or for entertainment purposes.

Overall video's are a fantasic tool in the classroom as long as they are used effectively.

References:

Marzano, R., & Pickering, D., et al. (2006). Dimensions of learning teacher's manual (2nd ed.). Victoria, Australia: Hawker Brownlow Education.

1 comment:

  1. Hi Tamara,
    I love how you presented the video to show the size and impact of a Tsunami. I agree videos are a great teaching tool as long as they are used for a particular purpose and not just as a time filler. In my prep class the teacher uses videos to teach the bible with cartoon like characters, the students are all engaged because it is modern and fun. you also need to be aware of the duration with videos as if it is too long students can become disengaged and distracted.
    Good luck
    Melody x

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