Using video casting in the classroom

Video casting has become one of the newest tools for teaching and has proven thus far to be a great resource for teachers. Video pod casting or video casting has opened many doors for better education.How?

The answer to that question comes with an understanding of what video casting is. It is simply a way to take a video production of something and make it available online for downloading or streaming.

So, how can video casting be used in the classroom? Video casting can be used in the classroom as a great resource. A teacher can record lessons and these can be sent out in the form of video podcasts to the students who miss class. Video casts should and could be used in both public and private schools. When a student misses class for something like a dentist appointment, or orthodontics, it is beyond their control, but they miss out on valuable information. This means better education because if a student misses a class, it can be video cast to them. So, instead of getting behind, they are able to stay up with the rest of the class.

Whether you are the school, or the student, you can see the benefit of making access to the study materials easier. This is done through video pod casting. Of course, there could be a down side. Students may feel they do not need to be in the classroom because they can catch up online. This is an obstacle that will have to be overcome as being in class is valuable as there are discussions and thinking that the student should be apart of. However, students who must miss class, for sports, etc. should not be punished. So, a happy balance should be reached.

Another valuable way that video casting can be used in the classroom is for additional materials and reminders. Often times students need extra help with particularly difficult subjects. For example, in a high level math class, seeing a teacher go through some difficult problems and equations, and talk the student through the steps can be invaluable. They do this in the classroom. But, to be able to revisit it and make sure you understand your notes when you are at home doing your homework would be awesome. This is possible with video casting.

Other great ways to use video casting in the classroom. Videos in general can be excellent teaching resources. In a science class, where you can't actually be out in the science and learning about it, viewing someone else out in it can help. You can also use video casting to speed things up. For example, watching plants grow is pretty much impossible. It takes weeks, and is not something you see visually, and yet, growth does occur. So, video tape it, then once the plant has reached maturity, create a video cast of it in fast motion. This can be shared with other schools in the district, and can be posted online for students to revisit.

Video casting has been used in the classroom for a while now, from colleges to prep schools, and is a very valuable way to increase education. If it is not abused, video casting is an excellent way to catch up students when they are absent, and to help all of the students to better remember materials taught.

Schools not currently using video casting should consider it. The benefits of video casting in the classroom far outweigh the costs of it.