More and more often video cameras are being used to record events, happenings, and actions. But do video cameras have a place in the classroom?
I absolutely think that video cameras can have a place in the classroom. With appropriate permission from parents and school administration, they can be a helpful and useful learning tool.
One key way that video cameras can be used is for reflection. Often we don't recognize actions that are taking place or how our mannerisms are affecting others around us. If we can go back and watch these mannerism and actions we can reflect on what happened, speculate on why it happened, and what we can do to prevent it from happening again. This can be helpful for both the teacher in his or her teaching, but also for students with challenging behavior. I have had an experience where I watched my teaching replayed and it was amazing the things that I saw that I didn't recognize before.
Students can also be recorded performing or interacting in the classroom. Having recently done a Readers Theatre in one of my classes, it would have been fun to record them, post the video online and then share it with parents. It would have made a great reflection tool also for the students in what to improve on for next time we do a Readers Theatre. Some of the students wanted to speak louder, while others wanted to make more eye contact. Recording them would allow them to see improvement from one Theatre to the next.
It would also be fun to interview and record students at the beginning of the year and then ask them the same questions at the end of the year to see how they have changed. This would show them their own change and growth and be somewhat entertaining as well! I can only image a student saying "That's what I said at the beginning of the year? I don't remember that!"
They could also be used to create a visual newsletter. Instead of sending home a paper copy of the newsletter, students could use video cameras to create a news report and then a link to its location online could be sent home to parents. Students could be involved in the creation of the newsletter this way.
You can also use video cameras in the classroom to show how to do something and lead students in a step by step activity. This could be something simple like how to write a friendly letter or complex like how to dissect a fish.
Video recording can play a huge role in the teaching and learning cycle as it helps us reflect on our teaching, students learning, and what can be improved. I intend to use video cameras in my classroom someday.
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