Blog Post #19 - Using Videos for Teaching and Learning in the Classroom

                The educational process continues to evolve and transform into something that the one room school teacher could never have imagined. The teacher who lectured in front of the classroom while the students wrote on slates has become a thing of the past.  In fact, if educators are caught doing lecture by death methods in the classroom, they are often written up for not entering the 21^st century.  Collaboration, creative and innovative strategies, and visual models are the wave of the present and future.  A teacher should be more knowledgeable about their subject matter than the students, but often times the students have previewed multiple videos on YouTube, and they have become the expert.  With all of the resources available to help engage student understanding of certain concepts, it is essential to provide technology in the educational process.  YouTube is a web 2.0 tool that is used widely throughout school communities, business organizations, and beyond. 

                There is not a classroom teacher at Immanuel who has not used YouTube as part of their lesson planning.  Ted Ed is also another very usual tool widely used from 5^th grade to 12^th grade at ICS.  A smile comes across my face when I walk into a classroom and the teacher has the full attention of the students using technology.  I am a firm believer in old fashioned learning mixed with 21^st century concepts.  Both procedures have their benefits, but in order for a student to be prepared for the future, they must be masters of concentration and stimulation.  Sitting and studying involves concentration, while stimulation involves hands on learning, collaboration, and project based analysis.  All of these methods can be met through videos and professionals outside of the realm of the classroom.  With one search on YouTube, you can find multiple videos on the subject being taught.

                Our high school Bible teacher creates YouTube playlists of biblical theology for the students to view.  He sends the link to them and they can view it at their leisure.  If he is teaching on a particular idea, such as salvation, he will search for videos on this subject.  Once the students have viewed the video, taken notes, written an outline, and then produced a reflection, they present to the students in the classroom.  Mr. Rosario goes one step further and records the student, so that their parent may watch the presentation.   One of our alumni attends Cornell University, and he used his presentation for his registration process.  He will graduate with his Master of Divinity in the spring.  Preparing the students for university life can be tedious, but definitely worth it in the long run.

                As a principal, I am a fan of YouTube.  This wonderful tool has been very useful to me on multiple occasions, but one that stands out is my parking lot video.  The infamous school parking lot and all of the strife it causes can be overwhelming; therefore, I came up with a wonderful idea to show how to drive, maneuver, and navigate through the school traffic.  I actually had someone film me driving the proper way and then stood outside by the signs telling everyone how the Drop off/Pickup line works.  Needless to say, I am probably the laughing stock of the school, but the video did show the parents how to drive.  When I am out in the parking lot directing traffic, they all wave at me and smile as they follow the rules.  Hopefully, they are telling me I am number #1 as they wave.  All joking aside, even old principals like to stay up with the technological age. 

                Lastly, our AP History teacher, Mr. Snyder, loves Edpuzzle.  He records himself on YouTube, sends the link to his students for homework, and then they come to class the next day to work on a group assignment with Edpuzzle.  He has flipped his classroom and it seems that the students really like the new learning format.  He used to be big on death by lecture and decided to step it up a bit, so this new procedure definitely makes sure the overall environment is conducive for retention of the subject matter.  I appreciate the fortitude it takes for an educator to develop ways to connect with the students on a different level.  He is of the younger generation himself, so the effort he makes isn’t quite so taxing. His willingness to make the videos shows that the investment and time is worth it in the long run.  This past nine weeks the student achievement climbed as far as grades go, so his sacrifice made the learning involved worth the effort.

                The one room school house no longer exists, but what has replaced it is a much larger classroom with walls that extend beyond the lecturing by the teacher, the textbooks and paper worksheets, and the rote memorization.  All of these strategies are used at one time or another, but the learning process is not dependent on one method.  By opening up the classroom to all types of technology, many voices are heard, many ideas are shared, and many people are involved in the process.  We live in a world where socialization and gleaning from other’s knowledge and wisdom is an important element in moving forward into the next generation.  If this generation demonstrates the value of learning one person at a time, this stimulates the desire for all learners to grasp the importance of education.  Therein lies the cycle of life.