The use of videos is always a dilemma when it comes to teaching science. Science needs to be hands-on and minds-on for students to internalize concepts for retention. However the use of science concept videos has a place in the classroom when used in supporting role. The use of videos to take up whole class periods or lasting more than six to seven minutes loses the interest of students quickly.
Using short science videos, less than six minutes in length, allows students to remain focused on the lesson or investigation. These short videos are ideal for explaining science concepts or demonstrating a concept. Teachers can embed them in lessons easily, accounting for different learning styles and the fact that students typically have short attention spans.
What is Teacher Tube?
Teacher Tube was launched in 2007 to provide online support for sharing instructional videos. The major focus of the Teacher Tube is to provide educationally focused videos that are:
- Free videos for teachers
- Safe for teachers to use in the classroom
- Safe for home school learners
- Short presentations supporting specific science concepts
- Free for educators to post videos to share with other educators
Science videos on Teacher Tube cover all science content areas: biology, physical science, physics, chemistry, environment, earth science, space science, etc. Currently there are over 3,000 videos in the science category.
Strategies for Using Teacher Tube Science Videos
Embedding these videos in science lessons and activities can be accomplished using the following strategies:
- Learning Centers – when students are conducting science investigations one or two computers set up with the video allows student groups to cycle through as they move from station to station in the learning center.
- WebQuests – these science videos can be added to the resource section or beginning sections to provide students information about the topic being investigated.
- Case Studies – one of more videos can be set up in classroom computers as a resource for students’ investigation a problem.
- Problem Based Learning – students can be shown a video or two to set the stage for a problem they must investigate.
- Student Multimedia Presentations – these videos can be used by students to support any science multimedia presentations they are giving.
- Student Debates – when students are conducting scientific debates, any side of the debate could use videos to support their point of view.
- Teacher Lectures – these short videos can be embedded in lectures and shown to students at the appropriate time. This keeps the lesson going and retains student interest.
Technical Aspects of Teacher Tube Science Videos
Problems teachers may encounter when using Teacher Tube are related to the filters that block websites. If Teacher Tube is blocked, sending a request to unblock the website typically works.
However there are ways around this if responding to requests are slow.
When it comes to videos, the easiest way around the filter blocks is to:
- Find the videos you want on your home computer and download the videos (the website allows you to download the videos) onto your computer. Then save them to a portable jump drive or CDROM. Now you have the videos for use in your science lessons, learning centers, etc.
- Teachers with websites or blogs used to support their science teaching and whose blogs have been allowed past the filters, can embed the videos in their sites.
David R. Wetzel - Dr. David Wetzel's experience includes more than 25 years in continuing, adult, and teacher education.
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