• Tips for Using Video

    Videos — both pre-recorded and live streamed — can be a powerful tool for online instruction! Some of the best instructional videos follow these guidelines:

    • Teacher-created videos. There are benefits to teachers creating videos for their own students (Tool tip --> Screencastify). Many learners report that they enjoy hearing and seeing their own teachers, and many teachers enjoy the ability to teach online using their own methods, vocabulary, and approach. That said, don't expect perfection on a teacher-created video! Sometimes quirks can even make videos more engaging for students.
    • Keep it short! If using pre-recorded video created by someone else, use a guideline of 1 minute of video for each grade or year in school.
    • If using live streaming (Tool Tip --> Google Meet), be sure to keep it interesting. Plan online instruction in short segments — a few minutes of direct instruction followed by interactive segments.
    • Build in interactivity! It's easy for students to tune out during a long instructional video — whether it's prerecorded or live streamed. Consider using a tool like Edpuzzle to check for understanding while students watch the video, or have them create a project or turn in the notes they've taken while watching.

    Examples of how Video Conferences can be used with students:

    • A 10 minute video conference to begin the day.
    • A whole class video conference at regular times during the week (e.g. 30 minutes every Monday and Friday afternoon). 
    • A whole class video conference to introduce important lessons or projects. 
    • A video conference to check in with each individual student each week. 
    • On-demand video conferencing — students can sign up during a teacher’s “office hours” if they want to book a session.
    • Small group video conferences for students with similar needs. 
    • Optional “live recess” to allow students to connect and hangout. 

    Video Tool Options  

    Google Meet (live conferencing with students)

    In Canvas: You can record videos to a Canvas assignment easily from your school laptop by clicking the video icon.

    Screencastify Google Extension -  This tool allows you to create screen recordings of yourself and/or your presentations with or without your webcam and add to your Google Classroom or Canvas course.    How-to Guide

    FlipGrid (student video responses)

    EdPuzzle has free premium access to schools impacted by Coronavirus, this is a great tool for adding accountability to youtube video content, more information here.

    YouTube (Remember, Teacher Video Approvals needed)  - Don't forget to pre-approve the videos you want to embed within Google Classroom, Canvas or Seesaw!