How to Make Learning in Lockdown More Exciting – with Video!

While your young learners are staying safe at home, it must be difficult to encourage them to continue to learn remotely with distractions like TV, smartphones and any other device you can think of. So, how can you avoid learning gaps and make lockdown lessons more exciting and impactful?
“The human brain processes images 60,000 times faster than text, and 90 percent of information transmitted to the brain is visual.”
With these facts in mind – have you considered video lessons?

Tech and Online Resources for Remote Learning

Did you know? In a 2018 survey, it was revealed that 70% of teachers regularly use video in the classroom, with 90% of videos streamed directly from the internet.
Even if it’s something you wouldn’t have tried before – there’s more time for teachers to discover the benefits of Video-Assisted Learning (VAL). By using audio-visual aids in education, like video, this will facilitate creativity and encourage students to discuss their ideas, as well as collaborating in groups to improve their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Keeping children safe – health-wise and online – is important too. The Department for Education (DfE) has issued advice for UK educators to help safeguard their students while learning remotely during lockdown. With potential internet dangers, like ‘zoombombing’, cyberbullying and accessing inappropriate content, teachers can choose pre-recorded videos as a safer alternative to live-streaming sessions.
In a recent EdSource.org article, the success factor of remote learning is dependent on how well the culture of schools can be changed, with technology and online resources playing an essential in optimising the educational experience:
“We need to recognize that effective online learning involves more than just moving a course syllabus and lectures online, just as a successful movie involves more than just filming a live play. It involves changing the culture of the school, with new types of responsibilities for teachers, students and families, and new forms of interactions among them.”

7 Tips for Making Effective Video Lessons

Even if you’re not a natural in front of the camera – don’t let this put you off! There are plenty of ideas to help first-time moviemakers to produce a bank of ‘how to’ tutorials that can be shared with parents, guardians and caregivers remotely.
Here are some ideas:

1. Maintain a strong connection →

Use video conferencing, pre-recorded lessons, school engagement apps, and interactive platforms with collaborative tools to improve engagement and real-time communication.

2. Set clear expectations and guidance →

Giving clear instructions about learning activities and assignments can help students become more responsible. Don’t forget to ensure your students know how to get in touch if they need further support – and keep parents in the loop with their childrens’ progress.

3. Provide multiple learning resources →

Setting assignments and activities should be bite-size and manageable – students can’t be expected to sit down and learn 6 hours a day like in the classroom. A selection of online videos, presentations, reading material, and interactive content (for offline use too) will enrich the remote learning experience – think about variety.

4. Record screen tutorials →

Ideal for tutorials or instruction videos, teachers can record their screens to show students a step-by-step process of how to complete certain tasks online. This can be done using a wide range of free screen recorder software providers available, such as Loom, Screencast-O-Matic, ActivePresenter, ShareX, FlashBack Express, Debut Video Capture, OBS Studio and Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder. (Please check the features and security settings first)

5. Film fun practicals →

Filming a collection of science experiments that can be recreated from home is a fun and informative way to keep children learning. You can also record P.E. lessons to keep your virtual class fit and active – then upload to your school’s website or private YouTube channel. To share, simply send a link or file attachment via email, Google Drive, communication app – or whichever portal you’re using to contact the parenting community.

6. Prepare interactive presentations →

Teachers can add links and embed videos into Google Slides or Microsoft PowerPoint presentations to keep the subject matter visually engaging. Incorporating images, animations and text with video may be a simpler option to recording a full lesson. These can also be securely shared with limited access for viewing, commenting or editing using apps like Google Classroom and Google Drive – plus they can be updated at any time.

7. Share updates and shout-outs →

It is also important to keep students engaged and happy while they’re learning from home – so teachers can produce regular videos to encourage positivity. Teachers can also send special video announcements to highlight outstanding achievements that week to keep their spirits high.

Empiribox @ Home

More than 60% of teachers find searching for new educational videos frustrating.
To make the transition from classroom to home as smooth as possible, we want to support teachers during these uncertain times with Empiribox @ Home. This includes access to a free library of KS1 and KS2 curriculum-aligned science resources for their students – including interactive videos, worksheets, quizzes, hands-on experiments and more! – all while they learn from home.
Discover more get FREE access to Empiribox @ Home here.
From all of us at Empiribox, we hope this helps teachers and students to stay safe and engaged while remote learning – and when schools reopen too!