Video Resources
While ELA classes focus heavily on reading and writing, students benefit from videos now and then. They add concrete, visual examples and allow students to hear someone else explain a concept.
There are many fantastic video resources available. I am fortunate that my district subscribes to Discovery Education, which contains excellent videos and other material. It is, however, quite expensive. As an alternative, I have had some luck with PBS Learning Media, which has lots of programs that air on PBS as well as other material useful in the classroom. It is free, and only requires a quick registration after the third use.
There are many fantastic video resources available. I am fortunate that my district subscribes to Discovery Education, which contains excellent videos and other material. It is, however, quite expensive. As an alternative, I have had some luck with PBS Learning Media, which has lots of programs that air on PBS as well as other material useful in the classroom. It is free, and only requires a quick registration after the third use.
NextVista was created by Rushton Hurley (a fantastic presenter, by the way) and hosts free videos,
most of which were created by students and/or teachers. The Lightbulb section contains academic videos, but the site also contains Global Views and Seeing Service, which specialize in videos from around the world and service videos, respectively.
WatchKnowLearn is another site for videos. While it doesn't host videos of its own,
it does organize videos from the web so that teachers can find what they need. You can also play videos directly from their site without any of the clutter you might find on other websites. Teachers that create a free account can rate and comment on videos, which helps give other users information.
And what about YouTube? Of course, there are MANY good videos available on Youtube;
the concerns come with filtering, inappropriate comments viewable by students, or similar videos displayed along the side. Fortunately, there is a site that can remove the extras, leaving you with only the video you want: ViewPure. You can use ViewPure from their site by pasting in the URL, or "click and drag" a toolbar icon to use their service from other sites. It's a great way to make use of YouTube videos while censoring it for students.
As this sample from their site shows below, ViewPure removes all of the comments and
"related videos", leaving just white screen.
YouTube has launched a channel just for teachers called YouTube Education.
Supposedly, this channel is not blocked by internet filters. Either way, give it a try!
Edpuzzle is a video editor of sorts. It allows users to find video they want to use in class, and then crop only what they need. Users can add voice over or questions to the video to help with understanding. It's a great tool for creating a lesson in "flipped classroom" style.
There are also completed video lessons that can be utilized. These videos have been cropped and "edited" by other users and are available to the public.
iLearn Technology, a great blog, has a wonderful write-up and several fantastic ideas about Edpuzzle's use in class.
There are also completed video lessons that can be utilized. These videos have been cropped and "edited" by other users and are available to the public.
iLearn Technology, a great blog, has a wonderful write-up and several fantastic ideas about Edpuzzle's use in class.
My last tip... always preview! Never rely on content you think should be safe. Preview it first. Better safe than embarrassed later!