The Importance of Using Video Content in Education

From music videos to commercials and even movies, there’s no end to the number of visual content we consume daily. Previously, this exposure to video content was limited to places like the mall, cinemas, and our homes. However, most classrooms in this modern era are riding the video wave.

Although some may argue that showing movies or video content in classrooms can be distracting, studies have shown that this new trend has several educational benefits. It creates an exciting, unconventional mode of teaching and is suited to the lifestyle of modern learners.

What Kind of Video Content Can You Use in Education?

When it comes to using video content in the classroom, educators can select from a wide range of options, including:

1. TEDTalks

TEDTalks can be beneficial in the classroom, especially if you’re trying to establish a classroom culture or teach the value of a subject. For instance, you could spark an interest in essay writing by showing your students a TEDTalk centered around the importance of hiring a writing service like essayservice.

An excellent example of an educational TEDtalk is Angela Zhang’s TEDtalk on science and math which demonstrates the potential of STEM subjects.

2. Movies (Films)

As a teacher or administrator, movies can be a great way to pass your message across or make a topic more relatable to students. For instance, a movie like Sarafina can paint a clear picture of the Apartheid society in South Africa. As a result, students won’t have to rely solely on texts from history books to understand the events of that era.

However, when using movies in History classes, it’s crucial to analyze your choice before presenting it to students thoroughly. Some movies paint inaccurate depictions of historical events and end up exposing students to false historical data.

3. TV Shows

Although TV shows may seem too informal for the school environment, they also have their place in the classroom. Language teachers can help students grasp the language faster by putting on TV shows where characters speak the target language. Shows like Friends and Full House are popular among English language learners.

You can play short clips where characters use simple and complex sentence structures to help students learn how to use these structures in everyday conversation. This will be far more beneficial to them than the stiff approach to learning that most language classes utilize.

4. Documentaries

Modern documentaries often fit right into the classroom environment, regardless of the topic or subject. For instance, documentaries on survival instincts in wildlife can be a great addition to any Biology class. To make it more interactive, you could even ask students to talk about their observations from the documentary.

6. Live Shows

A live show just might be the game-changer you need to spice up a Drama or Performing Arts class. For instance, you can stream live art festivals or dramatic performances for your students to get a glimpse of what the world of theater is like in real life.

7. Animations

If you’re teaching elementary school students, animations should be an integral part of your lesson plan. Children tend to learn better and faster from animations (such as cartoons) or fun games.

Benefits of Using Video Content in Education

Video content serves as excellent educational resources in today’s world. But every media form offers specific benefits, as mentioned in the previous section. So, here are the overall benefits of using this modern medium in the classroom:

1. Provides a Better Understanding of Concepts

As a teacher, you’ve most likely had moments when you explained an idea multiple times, but all you got from your students were blank stares. In these frustrating moments, video content can bail you out.

For instance, in a drama class, students may not fully understand the concept of a play within a play, no matter how hard you try to explain it. But when you provide a visual depiction of this concept, it becomes more practical and understandable. You could also live stream a stage drama or put on a TV show for them to watch.

2. Helps to Visualize Historical Events

Since students can’t go back in time to see historical events for themselves (at least not yet), they can only rely on “boring” textbooks and biographies. Unfortunately, not every student has the patience to read through an entire book that narrates World War II. Even if they do, they have to rely solely on their imagination and creative abilities to visualize these events.

However, biographical movies and documentaries provide a clear picture of these historical events for the students. This way, history class becomes an engaging, interactive lesson instead of a boring subject that students must endure to gain extra credit.

3. An Excellent Choice for Visual Learners

In most educational systems, visual learners often get left out of the learning process. Since they mostly learn by seeing images, videos, graphs, and colors, the traditional mode of teaching may not be ideal for them.

Incorporating video content in education helps you to cater to the needs of visual learners, ensuring that they don’t feel left out.

4. Enhances the Teaching of Languages

Studies have shown that practical exposure to a foreign language can help learners grasp the language faster. As such, movies can be a great strategy to improve your language class’s progress.

For instance, if you have a TESOL class, you could help your students learn the English language by putting on TV shows where the characters are speaking English. This way, they can understand how the language is used in everyday conversation and life.

Conclusion

From all indications, video content like movies and documentaries can be beneficial to the classroom experience. Not only are they highly exciting, but they also aid and speed up the learning process. Thus, teachers and school administrators worldwide should ensure that this new trend is incorporated into curriculums.

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