Digital Video

The digital age is providing a whole new dimension to the realm of education. Digital video is changing the way teachers teach. It's no longer just black and white, the flat, cold blackboard, and the white, dusty chalk. Teachers can turn to so many different technological advances. It's truly astounding to me, and I'm not even that old. Back in my day...blah, blah, blah...

Well, it's not back then. It's now, and this is my day. Let's start having fun with this whole school thing. Video is a very powerful tool in the classroom and I would have, I could have used it, especially in cosmetology school. Hello! The entire course is one big demonstration. What better way to have things make more sense, than by demonstrations on video? And, what about if we could have seen ourselves in action? We would have instantly been able to figure out what we had done wrong by watching a video of ourselves in the process of "creating." Why did that woman's hair turn green?...I know she only wanted an inch off. I swear, that's what I thought I was doing!

I am currently preparing a lesson to teach 4th graders about Hawaiian Humpback Whales. In this lesson, I will show video of a mother whale and calf swimming together and interacting with one another. It is so powerful to actually see these magnificent creatures. I could talk about them forever, but until the students can actually see them, I don't think they will be able to truly have an appreciation for them. In the same lesson, I am planning on incorporating a recording of whale song which is truly awe-inspiring.

In a science lesson, I could use time-lapsed video to show a seed germinating, and growing into a plant, and producing a flower or vegetable all in a very brief period of time. This would allow me to show my class the miracles of nature without waiting for the natural process to take place. I'm not saying I'm not a fan of the natural process. In fact, I would prefer it. But, if there is a time crunch, this would be a quick way to slip in another lesson for the day.

No matter what you're teaching or learning, video can enhance it, even make it fun. Multi-dimensional is WAY better than just white-on-black.