In an era of remote teaching and learning due to the global pandemic, teachers and students are relying on video more than ever before.
Video in education can mean a lot of things:
Teachers finding and sharing videos someone else has made
Educators create their own videos, often as a screencast or piece to camera
Teachers hosting video conferences
Students create their own videos — tutorials, reflections, stop motion, animation or more
Video is an everyday part of most students’ lives and can be a crucial tool in a remote learning curriculum.
But what tools and equipment should you use to create videos, screencasts, or live conferences? Where can you find high-quality videos that others have made? And what’s the best way to share videos you’ve made with others?
This guide will help.
Contents
This post walks you through all aspects of using videos in education.
Click on the links below to navigate this resource.
Note: This post includes honest reviews of a variety of tools. We have no affiliations with any of the brands mentioned in this post.
Creating Videos For Students
When you can’t teach your students face to face, personalized video can be the next best option.
Even during regular school times, many teachers see the advantages of flipping their classrooms. That means students can learn some content outside of class time (often via video, podcasts, or reading). That frees up time on campus for deeper work, discussions, and projects.
So how exactly do you create videos for your students? And should you be pre-recording videos or just running live video conferences?
There are two main options for sharing videos with your learners: synchronous or asynchronous.
Let’s weigh up both options.
Synchronous Videos (Live streaming/Conferences)
This means real-time streaming. It could be a live stream (like on YouTube) or an interactive video conference (like on Zoom).
Pros:
Some synchronous videos can be recorded so they can be viewed again at a later date. This is useful if students can’t attend the live stream, they have technology issues or need to revise the content.
Some schools find synchronous videos to be a powerful way to keep the class connected.
Students can gain feedback, seek clarification, and get answers to their questions quickly.
Synchronous video conferences can be used in a range of ways: class meetings, office hours (drop in to ask a question), live recess (just for fun), or focussed study groups.
Cons:
There can be privacy issues if students are shown in synchronous videos and they’re recorded.
There is also the issue of internet access if students are required to attend regular long live conferences. This can really chew up families’ home internet and can be a major barrier in rural/disadvantaged areas.
Passively sitting in on lecture-style video conferences can eat into time that could be used on more productive learning and projects.
Asynchronous Videos (Recorded Videos/Screencasts)
This means you record videos that can be viewed (and reviewed) when it suits the student. Your videos could be a simple “piece to camera” or a screencast.
Screencasting is where you narrate a video recording of your computer screen. Sometimes it’s just audio and sometimes you can see your face in the video as well.
Pros:
For some students, asynchronous learning can be more convenient and allow them to learn at a time and place that works.
Students can work at their own pace and revise information as needed.
Cons:
It can be hard for teachers to know whether students watched the videos or were engaging with the work.
It can be time-consuming to request clarification if some concepts are not fully understood.
You might find it useful to use both synchronous and asynchronous videos at different times.
Here’s a brief summary of what synchronous and asynchronous remote learning looks like:
Now you know more about the options, we’ll take a look at some popular tools for recording both synchronous and asynchronous videos.
Popular Tools for Synchronous (Live) Video Conferences
There are many tools out there that allow you to connect with students via video. This can really help to unite the class.
Four of the most popular video-conferencing options for teachers and schools include:
Zoom — Robust software designed exclusively for video conferencing.
Google Hangouts Meet — The evolved version of classic Hangouts that’s part of G Suite.
Microsoft Teams– a communication and collaboration platform that is part of Office 365.
Webex — Cisco tool for video conferencing, online meetings, screen sharing, and webinars.
These tools all allow video conferences with screen-sharing capabilities.
The teacher can start the conference and share the access link with the students.
Students can access the conference at the specified time using any device (e.g. laptop or tablet).
Some people like to use external microphones, headphones, or webcams, however, the camera and microphone attached to your device are probably fine for getting started.
Here is a quick comparison of the free plans for Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts Meet, and Webex Meetings:
Notes on Live Video Tools:
Safety comes first! Your school or district probably has advice about which video conferencing tool you should use and which settings should be employed. As an example, Zoom has released some best practices in this PDF.
Zoom, Meet, and Webex temporarily upgraded their free plans for educators but these offers have now ended for Meet and Webex. If your school Zoom account hasn’t already been upgraded, you can apply here to remove the 40-minute time limit.
Some teachers are also experimenting with live streaming on YouTube. For teenagers, it’s a platform they’re often already familiar with and they can comment in real time.
Popular Tools for Recording Screencasts
There are a number of tools available to record screencasts (asynchronous videos). Like many online tools, there are free plans and paid plans.
Let’s compare four of the most popular screencasting tools teachers are using for recording lessons.
This chart compares the features of the free or free education plans (paid plans have more features).
Notes On Screencasting Tools
I’ve written a blog post specifically about Loom if you want to learn more. There are no age restrictions so students can use Loom if you want them to make screencasts. The pro Education version is free to teachers and students forever.
You’ll remember that Zoom is a popular tool for video conferencing. The 40 minute time limit on free accounts has been temporarily removed for educators. To record a screencast using Zoom, you start a meeting with yourself as the only participant and record the conference. You can’t record if you’re using the Zoom iOS app.
Lumen5 contains a library of Creative Commons Zero images and music so you don’t need to search for content either (although you can use your own pictures and video).
The free plan is becoming increasingly restrictive. As of November 2020, it allows you to make 3 videos a month with the Lumen5 watermark.
The only downside (apart from it being a 13+ tool) is you can’t embed your video directly onto your blog. So you have to put it on social media or YouTube first and then get the embed code from there. Or you could download the video and upload it directly into your post/page if it’s a small file.
There are a number of ways you can create simple animations online. Two free tools you might be interested in exploring or using with your students include PowToon and Biteable.
Both of these tools have free plans and can be used by students under 13, however, they do require students to sign up via email.
Powtoon’s free plan allows you to make 3-minute videos with the Powtoon branding visible. Biteable’s free plan allows you to create as many videos as you like (with a watermark) and share 10 of them.
One benefit of PowToon over Biteable is that you can download your finished product as a PowerPoint or PDF file. You can only download your Biteable creation with a paid plan; you have to share your Biteable video by embedding it or sharing a link with the free plan.
You can embed both PowToon and Biteable videos into your blog posts or pages.
PowToon
PowToon is a quick video that gives you a glimpse of the drop and drag editor.
33 thoughts on “The Educator’s Guide To Using Video In Teaching And Learning”
Excellent blog. I am using some of your creative to create a student blog. I want my students to learn more on how to use video within mathematics presentations.
Since I am a beginner in the field of integrating technology in the classroom, I find this information very useful. As an educator, the use of videos in my teaching has been limited mostly to showing students YouTube videos related to the content or concepts being taught. I realize that students can also be made to create and share their own videos as part of their learning experiences.
I also recognize that there may be a need to create my own videos for students when those available may not be relevant to them or may not contain the type or quantity of information I may need.
Thanks for this information. I fully intend to make more efficient use of videos to enhance my students’ learning experiences.
Educational videos are in my opinion the new classroom. This blog highlights just how useful technology has become and as we are in the do it yourself era I highly recommend creating your own videos. My students love Flipgrid as it allows them to express themselves and their understanding freely. Through the pandemic, I was forced to search and piece together videos for my students most often not finding something that fits perfectly. How did I miss this gem during that time? Great collection of resources. I will be sharing this with my colleagues.
I really enjoyed reading this post! Using videos in your lessons for the wrong reasons can lead to a lot of problems. Your post helped me understand how to structure things in a way better way. Thank you so much for this information!
This is a really great article with lots of great resources! I learned a lot of new ways that I can integrate videos into the classroom and help my students to learn even more!
Thank you so much for this inspiring article. I am currently enrolled in 21st Century Learning and you have mentioned many tool that will not only help me with my college course, but also in my teaching.
Hello Kathleen,
Thank you for this great post on videos in education. Before reading this I was unaware of some of the tools that you can use to create, edit, and post video. I have yet to teach a class online but know that creating an engaging and productive remote learning environment is as important now that ever. I am currently in college and in the past year I have watched many recordings created by professors. While I believe asynchronous videos are helpful and allow more flexibility, it is much easier to get distracted while watching them. What have you noticed that works best for making sure students are engaged and understanding the material when assigning asynchronous recordings or video?
Good Morning Mrs. Morris,
Thank you so much for creating an in-depth post regarding different ways to use videos in the classroom. I find that videos are often a quick and efficient way to introduce topics to students while also grabbing their attention. Video based learning on platforms such as zoom and Screen Castify became most students main source of education over night when Covid-19 forced school districts to go remote. As an educator I am always looking to prepare my students for the real world by teaching them technology and digital citizen skills, therefore one section of your post that stood out to me was where you explained two different tools that students can use to make animated movies, Powtoons and Biteable. Prior to reading your post, I was familiar with Powtoons however I did not think that it was user friendly enough to incorporate into the classroom with fifth graders. However after reading your post and watching your video demonstrating how to create videos easily on Powtoons, I now think that this would be a great activity and resource to use with students in the classroom. Unlike Powtoons, I had not herd of Biteable before I reading your post. I am eager to explore Biteable and discover its possibilities for the classroom and my students this upcoming school year. I would love to hear if you have any additional suggestions of video based resources to use within the classroom. Thank you for sharing such excellent information.
Sincerely,
Allison Kaiser
This is a super cool and useful post, so thank you! Do you think synchronous or asynchronous would be more effective for students that have mental disabilities? Or is the criteria more based on situations?
Thank you!
Thank you for your post. I am a new teacher and I am always looking for new ways to engage students. They do like watching videos and your blog is very helpful.
This article is well laid out and very thorough. I am currently studying instructional design as well as trying to figure out how to teach digitally through synchronous and asynchronous activities.
I currently use zoom, screencastify, flip grid, and Imovie for video content. While I’m by no means a professional at video editing or digital teaching, I am finding that I like the possibilities digital teaching has and incorporating video into these lessons.
I will definitely be referring back to this article for insight as I explore more video production into my practice.
My current struggle is that I have such a diversity of learners. I am currently teaching a resource english group for 6-8th grade. The ages, and skill sets, have a wide range. I’m trying to figure out how to use more video to bridge the gap.
We also use the nearpod program. The program has a ton of content that is already available. Much of the content is pre made and I can see a way to use this to help differentiate my instruction.
If you ever do a follow up to this article I would love to hear your thoughts on using video with special education students and diverse groups of learners.
Thanks for your feedback and valuable insights for other readers. That’s definitely a good idea to include more about special education students and diverse learners.
It sounds like you’re doing a wonderful job integrating so many different tools. It certainly isn’t easy when you need to cater for such a diverse group.
Great blog. You have a lot of information that well help the novice teacher as well as the experienced educate are when it comes to technology. I really enjoyed how you broke down the synchronous and asynchronous learning. I think a lot of educators believe that everything can be done online and there are others who think that online learning does not reach its desired effect. With our current situation, a lot of innovative teachers are showing how asynchronous learning can be achieved with web tools and imagination. I really enjoyed how you showed different aspects of video and how to use them and the different ethical aspects of using other individuals material.
Sure, Juliah. If you scroll up a little in the post you’ll find a section called “How to Embed A Video On Your Blog” This will walk you through the process. Otherwise, this help page gives you the instructions you need https://help.edublogs.org/embed-videos/
If you need more help with adding a video to your blog, feel free to email [email protected]
I found this blog post wonderfully helpful. Some of the tools and options that you laid out in the blog haven’t even been mention in my school yet. With the pandemic forcing us into distance learning for the remainder of the school year, we need these tools now more than ever!
Hello Kathleen Morris, this week we are featuring some impressive projects!
The way how to find and share educational videos techniques and the most important how to embed videos on your blogs.
Thanks for your post because finding a solution first require acknowledgment of the problem.
Best regards, Eduardo
This is a great post with a ton of resources, I have been helping teachers integrate Google into their practice and decided to share the tutorials, videos, and apps on my blog.
Hey Aaron, thank you for your suggestions. Adobe Spark Video is a great idea especially as access is free for education. I haven’t heard of TouchCast so will have to check that one out!
Hi Kathleen,
Thanks so much for this blog post. My school, like many others, is deep in the middle of working out our online learning, and we’re using many of the tools you have mentioned. A lot of this technology is still new to many teachers, but you have explained and outlined so clearly and encouragingly! I am very inspired to try out a few new things! I’ll be coming back to this blog.
Cheers,
Kirsty
Hi Kirsty,
I’m so happy to hear this! Using video can definitely be a daunting part of online learning so I hope it encourages some people to have a go. There really is an option for everyone.
Good luck with your remote teaching!
Thank you for sharing the information.
Excellent blog. I am using some of your creative to create a student blog. I want my students to learn more on how to use video within mathematics presentations.
Thank you for your informative post! I am so glad that my virtual teaching days are up! Well, for now at least! 🙂
Thank you for sharing! I am so glad that my days of teaching via video are over! Well, for now at least! 🙂
Since I am a beginner in the field of integrating technology in the classroom, I find this information very useful. As an educator, the use of videos in my teaching has been limited mostly to showing students YouTube videos related to the content or concepts being taught. I realize that students can also be made to create and share their own videos as part of their learning experiences.
I also recognize that there may be a need to create my own videos for students when those available may not be relevant to them or may not contain the type or quantity of information I may need.
Thanks for this information. I fully intend to make more efficient use of videos to enhance my students’ learning experiences.
Educational videos are in my opinion the new classroom. This blog highlights just how useful technology has become and as we are in the do it yourself era I highly recommend creating your own videos. My students love Flipgrid as it allows them to express themselves and their understanding freely. Through the pandemic, I was forced to search and piece together videos for my students most often not finding something that fits perfectly. How did I miss this gem during that time? Great collection of resources. I will be sharing this with my colleagues.
I really enjoyed reading this post! Using videos in your lessons for the wrong reasons can lead to a lot of problems. Your post helped me understand how to structure things in a way better way. Thank you so much for this information!
This is a really great article with lots of great resources! I learned a lot of new ways that I can integrate videos into the classroom and help my students to learn even more!
Thank you so much for this inspiring article. I am currently enrolled in 21st Century Learning and you have mentioned many tool that will not only help me with my college course, but also in my teaching.
Hello Kathleen,
Thank you for this great post on videos in education. Before reading this I was unaware of some of the tools that you can use to create, edit, and post video. I have yet to teach a class online but know that creating an engaging and productive remote learning environment is as important now that ever. I am currently in college and in the past year I have watched many recordings created by professors. While I believe asynchronous videos are helpful and allow more flexibility, it is much easier to get distracted while watching them. What have you noticed that works best for making sure students are engaged and understanding the material when assigning asynchronous recordings or video?
Good Morning Mrs. Morris,
Thank you so much for creating an in-depth post regarding different ways to use videos in the classroom. I find that videos are often a quick and efficient way to introduce topics to students while also grabbing their attention. Video based learning on platforms such as zoom and Screen Castify became most students main source of education over night when Covid-19 forced school districts to go remote. As an educator I am always looking to prepare my students for the real world by teaching them technology and digital citizen skills, therefore one section of your post that stood out to me was where you explained two different tools that students can use to make animated movies, Powtoons and Biteable. Prior to reading your post, I was familiar with Powtoons however I did not think that it was user friendly enough to incorporate into the classroom with fifth graders. However after reading your post and watching your video demonstrating how to create videos easily on Powtoons, I now think that this would be a great activity and resource to use with students in the classroom. Unlike Powtoons, I had not herd of Biteable before I reading your post. I am eager to explore Biteable and discover its possibilities for the classroom and my students this upcoming school year. I would love to hear if you have any additional suggestions of video based resources to use within the classroom. Thank you for sharing such excellent information.
Sincerely,
Allison Kaiser
This is a super cool and useful post, so thank you! Do you think synchronous or asynchronous would be more effective for students that have mental disabilities? Or is the criteria more based on situations?
Thank you!
Thank you for your post. I am a new teacher and I am always looking for new ways to engage students. They do like watching videos and your blog is very helpful.
Angie DeGood
This article is well laid out and very thorough. I am currently studying instructional design as well as trying to figure out how to teach digitally through synchronous and asynchronous activities.
I currently use zoom, screencastify, flip grid, and Imovie for video content. While I’m by no means a professional at video editing or digital teaching, I am finding that I like the possibilities digital teaching has and incorporating video into these lessons.
I will definitely be referring back to this article for insight as I explore more video production into my practice.
My current struggle is that I have such a diversity of learners. I am currently teaching a resource english group for 6-8th grade. The ages, and skill sets, have a wide range. I’m trying to figure out how to use more video to bridge the gap.
We also use the nearpod program. The program has a ton of content that is already available. Much of the content is pre made and I can see a way to use this to help differentiate my instruction.
If you ever do a follow up to this article I would love to hear your thoughts on using video with special education students and diverse groups of learners.
Hi Joshua,
Thanks for your feedback and valuable insights for other readers. That’s definitely a good idea to include more about special education students and diverse learners.
It sounds like you’re doing a wonderful job integrating so many different tools. It certainly isn’t easy when you need to cater for such a diverse group.
Good luck!
Great blog. You have a lot of information that well help the novice teacher as well as the experienced educate are when it comes to technology. I really enjoyed how you broke down the synchronous and asynchronous learning. I think a lot of educators believe that everything can be done online and there are others who think that online learning does not reach its desired effect. With our current situation, a lot of innovative teachers are showing how asynchronous learning can be achieved with web tools and imagination. I really enjoyed how you showed different aspects of video and how to use them and the different ethical aspects of using other individuals material.
Great content and resources! Thank you!
Thank you so much, this is helpful in so many ways
This post was just amazing. I learned so much from it. Thanks!
Is there a way to post a video onto edublogs.org Kathleen?
Sure, Juliah. If you scroll up a little in the post you’ll find a section called “How to Embed A Video On Your Blog” This will walk you through the process. Otherwise, this help page gives you the instructions you need https://help.edublogs.org/embed-videos/
If you need more help with adding a video to your blog, feel free to email [email protected]
Good luck!
Thank you for your post I have learned so much of it.
So glad it’s helpful, Carmen! Good luck with your video creations.
I found this blog post wonderfully helpful. Some of the tools and options that you laid out in the blog haven’t even been mention in my school yet. With the pandemic forcing us into distance learning for the remainder of the school year, we need these tools now more than ever!
Thanks,
Neal DiNapoli
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Neal! It sounds like you’re in for the long haul. All the best with it!
Hello Kathleen Morris, this week we are featuring some impressive projects!
The way how to find and share educational videos techniques and the most important how to embed videos on your blogs.
Thanks for your post because finding a solution first require acknowledgment of the problem.
Best regards, Eduardo
This is a great post with a ton of resources, I have been helping teachers integrate Google into their practice and decided to share the tutorials, videos, and apps on my blog.
If anyone need Google Classroom, Forms, Meets help please take a look! – https://asoundmind.edublogs.org/2020/04/20/at-home-learning-using-google-effectively/
Hi Frank, thanks for sharing your expertise! This will be helpful for people. We’ll share it on Twitter too. 🙂
This is a another great guide Kathleen. A couple of additions that I have found useful in the past are TouchCast and Adobe Spark Video.
Also on: Read Write Collect
Hey Aaron, thank you for your suggestions. Adobe Spark Video is a great idea especially as access is free for education. I haven’t heard of TouchCast so will have to check that one out!
Hi Kathleen,
Thanks so much for this blog post. My school, like many others, is deep in the middle of working out our online learning, and we’re using many of the tools you have mentioned. A lot of this technology is still new to many teachers, but you have explained and outlined so clearly and encouragingly! I am very inspired to try out a few new things! I’ll be coming back to this blog.
Cheers,
Kirsty
Hi Kirsty,
I’m so happy to hear this! Using video can definitely be a daunting part of online learning so I hope it encourages some people to have a go. There really is an option for everyone.
Good luck with your remote teaching!