Possible uses of explanatory videos in education
- by: Mag. Dominik Mikulaschek
Explainer videos have become an indispensable tool in today’s educational landscape, offering immense benefits to teachers and students alike. These short, informative clips are able to convey complex concepts in an understandable way, increase learner motivation and make lessons more effective. In this article, we will discuss in detail the various uses of explainer videos in education.
Explanatory videos for teaching basic knowledge
A key advantage of explainer videos is their ability to break down complex topics into easily digestible portions. Teachers can create explainer videos that teach the basics of a particular subject and allow students to learn this content at their own pace. This is especially helpful when students have different learning speeds. By allowing them to watch videos multiple times, they can ensure that they fully grasp the basic knowledge before focusing on more complex concepts.
Visualization of complex information
Explainer videos are ideal for visualizing abstract or complicated information. For example, they can clearly illustrate mathematical formulas, scientific experiments or historical events. By combining animations, graphics and spoken text, explanatory videos can help students to deepen their understanding of these complex topics. The visual presentation can help to make abstract concepts more tangible and arouse pupils’ interest.
Promotion of self-directed learning
Explainer videos also support self-directed learning. Students can access the videos whenever it suits them best and learn at their own pace. This encourages independence and personal responsibility among learners. They can decide which videos they want to watch and which topics they want to study in more depth. This allows students to customize their learning journey, taking into account their strengths and weaknesses.
Personalized learning paths
The personalization of learning is an important trend in education, and explainer videos can make a significant contribution to this. Teachers can create explainer videos that are tailored to the needs of their students. This means that students with different abilities and interests can watch different videos to expand their knowledge. In this way, teachers can ensure that each student receives the best possible support and can reach their full potential.
Flipped classroom model
The flipped classroom model is an innovative method in which students prepare learning outside the classroom and then apply it in class. Explainer videos play a key role here as they allow teachers to provide material to students before class. Students can watch the videos at home and deepen their understanding before actively participating in discussions and exercises in the classroom. This flipped classroom model makes more effective use of classroom time and encourages interactive collaboration between teachers and students.
Support for distance and online learning
In recent years, remote and online teaching has become widespread, especially in times of pandemic and increased use of digital technologies. Explainer videos are an ideal resource for this teaching mode. Teachers can create high-quality videos and share them online so that students can access them from anywhere in the world. This allows educational institutions to respond flexibly to different learning needs and ensure that teaching can continue even in challenging times.
Promoting interactivity
Modern explainer videos go beyond simply watching content. They can include interactive elements that make learning even more engaging. Quizzes, links to additional resources and the ability to take notes directly in the video are just a few examples of interactive features. These elements encourage student engagement and allow them to test their understanding in a fun way.
Creation of educational videos by experts
Creating educational videos can be an extremely time-consuming and demanding task, especially if you have limited resources or technical know-how. In such cases, it can be extremely beneficial to have an educational video created. There are numerous professional service providers and experts who specialize in the production of high-quality educational videos. By utilizing this expertise, you can ensure that the video created meets the educational objectives, is visually appealing and effectively communicates what learners need. Outsourcing video production allows teachers and educational institutions to focus on their core mission while reaping the benefits of visual education.
This placement adds the important aspect of the creation process to the discussion of the interactivity of explainer videos, giving the reader a broader perspective on the importance of professionally created educational videos in education.
The process of creating an educational video: From conception to publication
Creating educational videos can be a complex and time-consuming task. If you have limited resources or technical expertise, it can be extremely beneficial to outsource the creation of an educational video. Here is the typical process when you have an educational video created:
Needs analysis: first, you should define the exact needs for your learning video. What topic do you want to cover? Who is your target audience? What learning objectives do you want to achieve? A clear definition of these aspects is crucial.
Concept development: Working closely with a professional service provider or video producer, you will develop a concept for your learning video. This includes choosing the right format, length and style of the video.
Scripting: A high-quality educational video requires a well-thought-out script. This script should structure the content and ensure that the learning objectives are communicated effectively.
Storyboarding: A storyboard helps to visualize the video by outlining the scenes and visual elements. This makes it possible to plan the flow of the video before the actual production begins.
Production: During this phase, the video is actually created. This includes shooting scenes, adding animations, graphics, voice-overs and anything else required for the visuals.
Editing and post-production: After recording, the material is edited. This includes cutting, sound editing and adding effects to ensure the video looks and sounds professional.
Quality control: Before the video is published, it should undergo a thorough quality control to ensure that all elements work properly and the content is correct.
Publishing and distribution: Once approved, the learning video will be published and can be shared either in your educational institution or online via platforms such as YouTube or learning management systems.
Working with professionals to create educational videos can ensure that the videos are educationally valuable, visually appealing and technically sound. This not only saves time and effort, but also ensures that learning objectives are achieved effectively.
Inclusion of visually oriented pupils
Not all students learn in the same way. Some are visually oriented and benefit most from visual representations. Explainer videos are an ideal way to appeal to these students and present the information to them in a way that suits their learning style. The visual elements included in explainer videos can help to better illustrate information and deepen understanding.
Support for pupils with special needs
Explainer videos can also benefit students with special needs. By being able to watch videos at their own pace and pause or rewind as required, these students can adapt their learning environment to their individual requirements. Teachers can also use subtitles or sign language to ensure the information is accessible to all students.
Promoting long-term learning
Explanatory videos can help to promote long-term learning. Students can access the videos even after completing a course or unit to refresh their knowledge or prepare for exams. This makes explainer videos a valuable resource for lifelong learning and professional development.
Conclusion
Explainer videos have become a versatile tool in education, offering numerous benefits to teachers and students. From imparting basic knowledge to supporting students with special needs, they have the potential to fundamentally transform the education sector. When used correctly, explainer videos can make learning more effective, accessible and fun. They are a crucial part of modern education and will undoubtedly continue to play an important role in the future.
