Now, more than ever, video is playing a key role in the classroom. Teachers at all levels are using video daily for various classroom activities. Synchronous and asynchronous learning are terms that were definitely born in 2020 and are becoming staples of professional development for teachers. It appears that they are here to stay.
In this episode, we speak with Monica Nahas, a distance-learning specialist, who works with over 50 school districts and 30 charter schools in one of Texas’ largest education service center Region 4. Monica lays out best practices for using video with students, including ways for teachers to create their own videos, and keeping students safe during video conferences.
Monica and I met when we were both worked in Fort Bend ISD, and I know from my own experience of working with her that she excels at training and supporting teachers. She then transitioned to another school district where she implemented a learning management system using video and face-to-face training. Now, she works across the region of South Texas as a distance-learning specialist supporting school districts with videoconferencing and integration of video into lesson plans.
Oddly enough using video in classrooms is nothing new for educators, but this school year has required a new skill from teachers, who may or may not have anticipated the shifts that are occurring this fall. Now we are using apps like Flipgrid, which allows students to use video to collaborate with other students around the world, and video presentations in place of writing essays. Video has also changed the education landscape of testing, for example through creating video quizzes with apps like PlayPosit and EdPuzzle. With these tools, teachers have the ability to assess the knowledge and participation of students. Who knew that video would be as prominent in remote learning as it has become in the classroom environment?
—William Jeffery is curating Flipboard EDU Podcast
“Coach Jeffery” is an award-winning digital learning educator and assistant principal at Columbia High School in Texas. His tech pedagogy continues to drive him to curate educational content on Flipboard that highlights teaching strategies, edtech, and ways to improve student success. He started co-hosting the “Flipboard EDU Podcast” as yet another way to share resources with his peers.