Video Observation Guides

Video Observation Guides

Definition: A worksheet or form which asks the students to follow along while watching a video.
The guide will contain chronologically appearing information that may need to be noticed,
verified or responded to.
Purposes:
  • To activate prior knowledge
  • To provide background knowledge
  • To increase comprehension
  • To develop listening skills

Step 1.
Select an appropriate video that discusses your topic.

Step 2.
Create a worksheet that chronologically follows information in the video.

The worksheet may contain:
  • Summaries of each main point made in the video.
  • List of information that you expect the student to remember.
  • Cloze (fill-in-the-blank) sentences for the student to complete.
  • Multiple choice questions about information mentioned in the video.

NOTE: Any cloze or multiple choice options should contain partially or completely word-for-
word questions. This will allow students to preview the information in writing and catch the
information as it is being spoken.

Step 3.
Give the video and worksheet to the student. Simultaneously watching the video and
completing the worksheet will push the student to remain focused.

Step 4.
Review the information with the students to ensure that the responses are correct.

While the steps above seem obvious and simple, all too often students are asked to watch
videos and the teacher will assume or simply encourage note-taking. However, the development
of a guide for students to follow along encourages more engagement with the video and requires
more attention, based on the amount of interaction is required between listening and writing/note-
taking.

Make the experience of watching videos in your class meaningful and educational for the
students beyond simply learning via listening.

For some more tips, check out http://www.cal.org/caela/esl_resources/digests/video.html (NOTE: Although this is focusing on adults, the tips may also apply to high school students).

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