Why video?

Why video? The benefits of using videos in education

Flexibility – your learners have control of the content. They can watch wherever and whenever they like as long as they have access to the appropriate tools (e.g. a computer, a smart phone or a tablet). They can pause, go backward, jump forward, mute, etc. The control belongs to the learner.

Multiple applications – video has the power to communicate and deliver various types of content:

  • tutor introductions
  • conclusion/summary
  • interviews (with subject experts)
  • course-related footage (especially events that cannot be replicated in the classroom)
  • case studies/ mock examples
  • lectures/summaries of lectures (archive footage)
  • demonstrations/ role-plays
  • feedback (specific or general)
  • student-created content (allows for creativity)

Emphasis and clarity – video contains audio-visual cues crucial to understanding, such as expression, intonation, movement – which cannot be conveyed as effectively by text and or still images.

Staff contact – video helps students connect with the tutor. This should never be downplayed. For remote students in particular, actually seeing the tutor gives a sense of belonging.

Accessibility – transcripts and captions can be made available to all.

Sustainability – By utilising video for the delivery of core material, the tutor’s time is freed up in subsequent sessions to allow more time for engaging with students.

Familiarity – Students are used to ‘laws’ of video production and are immersed in video content from traditional broadcast sources and online streaming videos. By making use of a delivery medium that is familiar to students it should be easier for them to engage with and understand the content.

Geographic ubiquity - Almost all computers, laptops, mobiles and tablets can download and play video. In addition to enabling students to dictate the pace of learning the use of video also allows students to engage from a distance. This is especially important in a distributed university and it ensures that all students will experience the core teaching material in the same manner.

UHI logo

All efforts have been made to ensure materials created by the EDU comply with current accessibility guidelines (JISC: Support for learners with disabilities).

If further assistance is required with accessibility matters please contact the student support section in your academic partner UHI: Accessing learner support.

We welcome any comments on how to improve this unit. Please feel free to pass these on at any time.

If you have any difficulty viewing this resource please contact EDU (edu@uhi.ac.uk) with:

  • the name of the resource;
  • a description of the problem (please give as much detail as possible);
  • the section of the resource where the problem occurred;
  • your internet browser (you can check your browser version at: http://detectmybrowser.com/).

UHI provides links to external sources of information and may refer to specific Web sites, products, processes or services within this resource. Such references are examples and are not endorsements and whilst every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of information provided UHI is not responsible for any of the content or guidance. You are advised to exercise caution.

Audio

Video

Reading

Download

Information

External link

Activity

Print

Question

Asterisk

Discussion

Collaboration

Reflection/journal/log

History

Download a copy of this resource in PDF format.

You can also print individual pages by printing directly from the browser.

×