Watching Video Lessons Effectively
In today’s age of remote learning, teachers are increasingly relying on video lessons to present new information -- think EdPuzzle and YouTube. Some students may feel inclined to rush through the videos out of boredom or lack of interest, and others may watch the videos with more intention but still feel as though they’ve only scratched the surface. In this article, we provide a number of strategies to help students better engage with and get more out of their video lessons.
COMMON MISTAKES IN WATCHING VIDEO LESSONS
Before we discuss the techniques, let’s first run through two common mistakes students make when watching video lessons, both of which can negatively impact retention.
1. Not paying full attention:
As many may know, video players like YouTube can still run with other tabs open. Some students might take advantage of this and decide to “watch” their video homework in the background while they do something else -- read an unrelated internet article, watch a different video, browse social media, play a game, walk away from their computer altogether… The list is endless, really. Of all the common mistakes listed, this is by far the least productive. Students who struggle with video lessons need to develop the habit of sitting through, and actually watching (unmuted), the whole vdeo -- a habit that becomes easier with repetition and the aid of some strategies discussed below.
2. Rushing through:
Most video players nowadays are equipped with video speed controllers. Although speed controllers can be used effectively (more on this below), some students take advantage of them to get through the videos more quickly than they ought to. Unless a student is already familiar with the material in the video, playthrough at 2x speed, for example, is rarely comprehensible. Students should select playthrough speeds that allow them to not only understand the speaker but also make sense of what they’re saying at any given point.
THE TOOLKIT: STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVED RETENTION
Most are familiar with the classic YouTube video player bar below (those for other video players look similar), but few students use this handy control panel to its full potential. In fact, most of the strategies below are based on this very bar.
1. Take notes
The first strategy that many students overlook -- also, the only one not related to the video player -- is to take notes with a pen or pencil, preferably in the notebook for the class in which the video is assigned. In the next open section of the notebook, add the title of the video and the date. Jot down the important information as it comes up and be sure to write the information in your own words.
2. Be willing to pause the video
This one is important: if you’re taking good notes, you should expect to pause the video. Many students play through their video lessons without pausing even once. Without pausing, they may glean the main ideas, but they’re unlikely to remember the key details. After hearing an important piece of information, pause the video, write it down in your notebook, and resume.
3. Be willing to rewind the video
Even with pausing the video regularly, you may occasionally find the need to rewind a few seconds (or more) to re-listen to something you intended to write down but forgot. Don’t skimp on the details -- many of these assigned videos are intentionally selected, often to provide you with background information before a lesson or homework assignment. Watching the video closely the first time will prevent the necessity for a second, or even third, run-through.
4. Use the speed controller strategically
As alluded to in the Common Mistakes section above, the speed controller can be used effectively. If the material in a video is already familiar to you, you may be able to turn up the speed while still maintaining good retention. If, however, the material is completely new or even relatively unfamiliar, be wary of going much above 1.25x speed. In some situations, you may find that running a video at slower speeds is preferable. Indeed, doing so may eliminate the need for pausing or rewinding quite as much. Ultimately, be realistic with yourself and choose a playback speed that best helps you understand a given video.
Video lessons aren’t going anywhere in the near future, and, if you aren’t doing so already, you will likely find yourself seeking them out outside of school to learn something new -- how to repair a bike, fix a bug in your computer program, make homemade jam, etc. Learning the skills to watch videos effectively now will benefit you for a long time to come.