Active Viewing Strategies

Viewing

Technology and media have changed the way we teach and learn. To optimize students' use of the media linked in your courses, you want to examine the way they view and experience video content. One strategy is to help students become a critical users of multi-media by taking an active approach to viewing and listening. These strategies all revolve around student awareness of interacting with videos.

Before Viewing Strategies:

1. Tap Prior Knowledge Ask students what they know about this topic. They should consider their previous learning or experience, the historical context, economic, social or cultural perspectives.
2. Review Supplementary Materials Providing outlines or introductory materials is a great start, but adding some commentary or context will also help.
3. View with a purpose-The best way to engage with video is to watch with a purpose. Create video study guides, discussions or worksheets for students.TIP Have students watch the video with a printed or digital copy of a guide or worksheet where they can mark video times when specific questions or concepts are covered.

During Viewing Strategies:

1. Pay attention: Videos and other media are alternatives to reading, and for many, that's a nice change, but it doesn't mean the content is going to be basic or easy to understand. Many of the video lectures you'll link include the same language and vocabulary students might find in their text. Shorter videos can be even more challenging because they pack more material in.TIPS: Link a transcript if available. Offer a glossary of terms associated with the video, suggest headphones, encourage pausing and multiple viewings.
2. Be Active: Suggest students have materials such as note-taking tools, text, and notes ready. Encourage them to:
   
   • Write down any terms, phrases, names or period references that aren't familiar to you.
   • Mark video times when questions come up
   • Write down main points

After Viewing Strategies:

Once they've watched the video, ask students to:

1. Make a list of the vocabulary words they think are essential to their understanding of the material.
2. Contextualize the video content. How does it support or relate to concepts you've covered so far? How do the main ideas fit with others from previous lessons?
3. Connect with the content. Determine how this relates to their experience and understanding of the world.
4. Share their opinions of the video content in discussion forums. They can post threads and read others' impressions. Some suggestions for discussion:
   • What was surprising to you?
   • What was confusing to you?
   • What was important?

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