Lesson 5 - Video Resource Review

I enjoyed listening to Wesley Fryer's podcast with Rushton Hurley about using video resources with students and about Next Vista for Learning. In the podcast, they discussed ways in which videos can help meet the needs of a variety of learners by using face-to-face approaches combined with media. NextVista.org is an online library of free educational videos for teachers and students. I found the number of videos and content to be a bit limited for use with primary-age students; however, I particularly enjoyed browing "The 'Global Views' Collection". These videos about cultures around the world could be used with students to help create an interconnectedness and understanding of a variety of aspects of different cultures.

Of the 4 video sharing sites that we were asked to explore, I was only previously familiar with YouTube. I found YouTube, TeacherTube, and ClipBlast all easy to navigate and to search for content-specific and relevant video clips. I found a variety of videos teaching teachers or students specific skills, as well as clips relevant to areas of the curriculum. While use of video clips would be beneficial and appropriate with my primary-age students, I would not allow them to independently browse or search for videos. In my classroom, I would link to specific videos for students to view or watch them together as a class. With the value of video clips comes some dangers such as inappropriate content; any clip to be viewed by students would need to be completely previewed in advance.

Viewing videos created by teachers and students may also inspire students to create videos of their own, sharing their learning in a new and fun way!