| Video can be a wonderful tool in the classroom, as | | | | on that particular day (good communication can |
| what your students see on video is often retained | | | | overcome this problem easily). And videos can get |
| better than content delivered by the old-fashioned | | | | grubby, the players can refuse to work - even DVDs |
| method of "chalk and talk". This is especially true of | | | | can decide to play up. If you're prepared for this with |
| those in your class who are visual learners - the | | | | an alternative, then that day's lesson won't go to |
| pictures speak their language and help them learn. | | | | waste.o Avoid letting students just switch on and tune |
| While school videos are wonderful teaching tools, it | | | | out as if they were watching TV at home for fun. |
| would be a mistake for a teacher to think that all he or | | | | Using question sheets for students to fill out as they |
| she has to do is to switch the video player on. This is | | | | watch is one way of changing their viewing habits so |
| just one of many mistakes that can be made, but | | | | the school videos are used more effectively.o Always |
| these tips should help teachers improve their use of | | | | preview the video! The worst violation of this rule |
| school videos to deliver lessons.o Start small. You don't | | | | occurred when an English teacher decided to show |
| have to use video all the time in every lesson. In fact, | | | | one particular version of Romeo and Juliet and found |
| you shouldn't! If you've never used videos before, then | | | | that it was a bit more explicit in one scene than she |
| maybe aim to use one every six months. Then, once | | | | (and her class) had bargained for...o Get creative. If it |
| you get the idea of how to "do" school videos, use | | | | will help your lesson, you can show the video without |
| them more often - maybe once a month.o Make sure | | | | the sound (with or without subtitles), in fast forward or |
| you have copyright issues covered if you make a | | | | reverse. Or you can try showing multiple versions.o |
| copy of a TV program to make a school video. If | | | | Plan your video-related lesson carefully - you don't |
| you're using an ITV (Instructional Television) program or | | | | have to spend the whole lesson just watching a video. |
| clip, then you'll be OK for using this in the classroom. | | | | A short clip can be used as a "teaser" to start |
| For cable TV or if you're not sure, run a quick check to | | | | students thinking. |
| make sure you don't get in trouble.o Again on the idea | | | | There's no denying that videos are useful but they |
| of starting small, you can begin by just using a short | | | | have pitfalls. If you're ready to stop making "The 7 |
| clip (five minutes or so) as part of a lesson. You don't | | | | Biggest Mistakes Teachers Make Using Video in the |
| always have to show the whole video for your | | | | Classroom" and to use video effectively in your |
| lesson.o Have a Plan B. Expect problems to crop up | | | | classroom instead, your next step is to download a |
| every now and again. If you're in a small school with | | | | free copy of "7 Biggest Mistakes" right now. |
| limited resources, another teacher may "bag" the video | | | | |