Start out with Edpuzzle using video for the purpose of pre-teaching, perhaps pairing videos with text in any content area where students might need scaffolding or supports. Use the voice-over feature to add a few quick checks to read-aloud videos to engage and support struggling readers, introducing vocabulary words (pronunciation, meaning, synonyms) along the way. For math centers, record yourself teaching a concept, and have the kids stop for practice and submit their answers. Want to flip your flipped classroom? Let kids use the tool to create a video lesson, and choose some of the best for their peers to complete on their own. Then, go into depth in class to expand upon what students learned from remixing their videos.
If you're using others' content as a starting point, Edpuzzle's search will suggest high-quality videos from sites such as YouTube, Khan Academy, TED Talks, and Vimeo. There's also the option to choose content from the curriculum library, which is a collection of videos organized by content area. However, be aware that editing the videos won't alter them in any way, and remember to preview all video content for appropriateness. Finally, consider taking advantage of the Personalized Learning Certifications for teachers and students to develop learning competencies in a variety of areas, including digital citizenship or diversity and inclusion. Teachers earn continuing education units -- and students earn credit -- toward a student project-based learning initiative.
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Take Classroom Video to the Next Level
Cheat Sheet: Getting the Most out of VideoEdpuzzle is a web-based interactive video and formative assessment tool that lets users crop existing online videos and add content to target specific learning objectives. Teachers can search the extensive library or upload their own videos to customize them with voice-overs, audio comments, embedded assessment questions, and additional resources. There are also options to choose from the site's curriculum content, assign due dates, and prohibit students from fast-forwarding through videos. Teachers can view students' scores and progress over time as well as the length of time students took to complete an assignment. Data from the embedded quizzes is saved in Edpuzzle's dashboard; however, teachers can easily export and incorporate it into other grade- and course-management systems.
Edpuzzle offers a space for a community of teachers to share their creations for inspiration or for easy classroom use. But since so many versions of the same original video are saved, teachers may have to scroll through the dozens of repeats before discovering different search results. A better use might be to turn this robust set of tools over to students, enabling them to find high-quality online video content and customize it in a way that demonstrates their learning.
Edpuzzle allows both teachers and students to customize online videos in ways that encourage more active learning. The quality of the learning will depend, of course, on the original video as well as how it's customized or remixed for classroom use, but you won't have to look too hard to find lots of high-quality options to use as starting points. Teachers who choose or create informative, engaging videos can add voice-overs, interactive quizzes, and audio notes to create a much more learner-centric experience and one that encourages students to be reactive viewers who critique what they watch.
While passively watching online videos may require only lower-level thinking skills, the ability to isolate and encourage interaction with the most important aspects of a video increases the relevance of content and depth of learning, especially if teachers take advantage of the options to add supplemental resources and links. Furthermore, critical thinking skills such as analysis and information seeking can lead students to a transformation of knowledge if teachers let students research, create, and share their own video lessons. While it will meet many needs, Edpuzzle could use more features to annotate and remix videos, especially the ability to combine multiple videos. Since this feature isn't yet available, the developers suggest a workaround: sequencing video lessons to create a similar student learning experience.
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