Using Videos in the Classroom

Having read a chapter in, "Technology in the Secondary Science Classroom," I was inspired on how I might use videos and images from the web in my science classroom. The following lists how I could use images and videos to develop conceptual understanding or science thinking skills with my students:

1. Using videos to develop science thinking skills (as well as higher order thinking skills). Using movie clips that demonstrate motion, videos of demonstrations or experiments or using your own videos, have students make predictions on the possible outcomes. Then, show the results with the video and have students give explanations. Using videos this way could also serve as a great way to initiate student led inquiry.
2. Assessment Strategies using videos. Following a study of some scientific concept, show a movie clip, video clip or your own video to the students to analyze. For example, following a study on plate tectonics and volcanic development, a teacher could show a variety of volcano images and have students argue which volcanoes could have been formed from subducting sea floors.
3. Collecting Data and Observations. Encourage students to download their own images or videos as a means to have data to later analyze. For example, have students take pictures every day of a single plant growing and then have them create a movie with the images for analysis.

Capitalizing on the visual resources on the web can only enhance the higher order thinking and conceptual understanding development in the 21st century science classroom!