As many of you know, at Teaching Channel we regularly develop videos to show examples of classroom practices and showcase a collection of techniques.
However, what you might not be as familiar with is our philosophy ofusing video to reflect on and refine practice. As such, we wanted to share with you our video-based coaching cycle which provides a process for using video in a plan-do-study-act cycle of learning. That is, a way to try a new practice in your classroom, capture video of implementation, and evaluate the impact on student’s learning.
In that same vein, the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University published two great resources to inform learning using video. CEPR conducted a year-long study of over 400 educators across the country in The Best Foot Forward Project. The study’s compelling findings validated the use of video to improve practice.
To support schools and districts in doing this work, CEPR also developed a Video Observation Toolkit which includes a range of materials including ways to cultivate trust when starting with video and checklists to evaluate your technical purchases. Another helpful resource is the Teacher Video Selfie guide which can be used when conducting a self observation of your practice. Listen, as well, to Sarah Brown Wessling discuss how she regularly uses video to analyze what she’s doing in her classroom.
Take some time to review the toolkit. Learn how we at Teaching Channel want to partner with schools and organizations to integrate video in practical, meaningful, and effective ways. Finally, if you’re looking for your own platform to record video using an app, check out Teaching Channel Teams or read about how folks are using video across the county in The Big Tent blog.
Let us know in the comments below how you’re using video to reflect on and refine your own practice.
Catherine White Guimaraes is an Engagement Manager at Teaching Channel. Prior to her work with Tch, she led a team in designing online learning courses, served as an Assistant Principal at a Middle School, led educators across New York City in the transition to the Common Core, and taught in middle schools in Boston and Washington, D.C. You can connect with Catherine on LinkedIn.
