Using Video Editing Software in the Classroom

How can video editing tools enhance classroom learning?

Students can use video editors, like iMovie, to create educational videos that explain complex concepts: like a math problem, science experiment or historical event. Having the students present a visual representation of a concept can help them understand on a deeper level.

For example, video editors can be used to document group projects, by recording each team member’s contribution and showcasing the final product. This can help students to reflect on their learning and improve their communication and teamwork skills. It can be used to create multimedia presentations that incorporate video, images, and music; making presentations more engaging and helping students to convey their ideas more effectively.

Video editors can also help students develop digital literacy skills such as: conducting research and planning content through digital tools such as search engines and online databases to gather information, evaluate sources, and organize their ideas. Storytelling or conveying a message through visual media requires students to think critically about the purpose of their video, identify their audience, and craft a compelling narrative. This leads into building their writing and editing skills as students need to write and edit their scripts, ensuring that their message is clear, concise, and well-structured. Media production allows students to experiment with different media production techniques, such as lighting, sound, and camera angles. This helps them to develop a deeper understanding of how media works and how to use it effectively. Lastly, through collaboration: video editing is often a collaborative process, requiring students to work together to produce a final product. This helps them to develop teamwork and communication skills, as well as an appreciation for the contributions of others.

What does this look like in the classroom?

Teachers might choose to employ video editing software in some of the following ways:

• Video tutorials or guides for in class work, which can be uploaded to the classroom blog or website. Students can then review this content at their own pace.
• Classroom announcements to connect with parents, and serve as a more personalized version of a traditional parent-teacher newsletter.
• Documenting student learning throughout the year (in the form of a video portfolio), though this requires written parental consent and careful attention to video storage practices.

Additionally, teachers might incorporate video editing software into student learning in any of the following methods:

• Slideshows: these can be a great, easily accessible video editing project for students to learn the basic ins and outs of using video editing software. Can be used as individual, small group or whole-class projects to either showcase key elements of a project, or to celebrate class events (a re-cap of a previous field trip, for example).
• Stop-motion motion videos: students can recreate historical or fictional events, or even depict a story of their own making. Great cross-curricular elements between art, language arts, digital literacy and social studies.
• Commercials, news-skits, interviews etc. These can be more interesting methods of presenting current-events related work, while also building digital literacy, research and drama skills.

While these are only a few examples of the ways that video editing software might be used in the classroom, we hope that they’ll serve as a solid jumping off point for coming up with some useful video-editing projects for your own classroom!

What are the Pros, Cons, and Risks of using Video Editing Technology in the classroom?

Pros:

• The programs are easy to use, and for both windows and mac, there are written and video tutorials available online  
• It is a great way for students to demonstrate their knowledge in a creative way while enhancing their digital literacy skills
• It typically increases engagement 
• It can be so versatile for both teachers and students. Teachers can make their lectures more inclusive by inserting subtitles or additional graphics. Students can create a variety of things like book trailers, tutorials for how to solve problems in math or science, video presentations, etc

Cons:

• Not all students have access to technology at home and may not know how to use it as efficiently as their peers. If assigning projects that incorporate video editing, make sure to assign and scaffold class time to complete any video projects during school hours
• We discussed student privacy with Jesse Miller and the fact that it is best to use school provided (not personal) devices when taking pictures or videos of students at school. It is also a good idea to have some kind of waiver for parents to sign about filming students so that they are aware of the projects students are working on and the technology being used to do so
• For teachers, it can be very time consuming to film and edit content on top of lesson planning so it is probably best to come up with a balance of in person and digital content. It can also be time consuming for students to plan, film, and edit content, so make sure to scaffold time allotted for each of these activities.  
• Technology can definitely be a distraction but it can be a useful tool when used effectively. Make sure to be incorporating it with purpose and clear expectations of using it for educational purposes at school 

Strategies, Best Practices, and Tips for using Video Editing Software

Using videos in the classroom can be used as an opportunity to promote academic success and independence among students. Videos allow students to take their education into their own hands when provided lessons that can be watched independently and at their own pace. This allows students to confidently come to class and be prepared to engage in their work and ask follow-up questions to the teacher or classmates. This style of teaching differs from the traditional method of students sitting for lectures at school, then working on the material as homework when questions often arise. Online lessons would free up the teacher’s time to then work one on one with their students. This would allow the teacher to individualize their instruction and have a better chance of ensuring that all their students are on the right track.

As we mentioned previously, the video lessons could be made in such a way that enhances the content. Composed in a manner that engages students by incorporating pictures, text, and sound. This creates a dynamic learning experience that appeals to differentiated learning styles. There are opportunities to make videos interactive, allowing students to test their knowledge and receive immediate feedback. Incorporating multimedia while describing new topics helps to reinforce novel content by allowing students different modes of interpreting and understanding the material. Ultimately, making it more memorable and engaging to the students.