Who It's For:
Teachers and schools will find many beneficial ways to use a vlog. You don’t need to be technically savvy—a basic consumer camcorder and a computer with free editing software and an internet connection are all you need. If you delegate recording and editing duties to students, you’ll be teaching them technical skills and reducing your own work burden for the vlog!
Video Ideas:
- School events: Pep rallies, guest speakers, school plays and sports are just some of the school-wide events that would make great videos for a classroom vlog.
- Student projects: Let students create videos as special projects or to demonstrate their mastery of a concept, then post the videos on the vlog to show off the learning that’s going on in your classroom.
More Uses for the Vlog:
- Important lessons: If you’re teaching a key concept that students may not grasp immediately, consider recording the lesson and posting it on the vlog. This way, students can go back and re-watch it later on to clarify anything they missed.
- Teaching videos: There are many educational videos available online, which can be used to supplement lesson plans. Add the videos to the vlog so students can easily find them and watch them.
The Benefits:
- Educational activities: By letting students record and edit video you are teaching them valuable technological and artistic skills. It’s a fun and low pressure way for kids to become comfortable with electronics and computers.
- Better communication: A vlog is a great way to let parents see what’s going on at the school and in your classroom.
- A visual record: A vlog can be considered a video portfolio of the work that goes on in your classroom. It’s a concrete demonstration of your skills and those of your students, which can be beneficial for promoting the school or during teaching reviews.
Other Considerations:
- Permission: Not all parents will want to have their kids’ images broadcast online. Make sure to have them sign video releases ahead of time.
- Privacy: Keep you classroom vlog private by using a password and changing it often.
- The digital divide: Not all families have a high-speed internet connection, necessary for viewing online video. Make sure that all students have time to look at the vlog during school hours, so as not to exclude those who can’t access it at home.
