Proof That Video Technology Improves Teacher Outcomes
Self reflection and video recording in the classroom is starting to become normal occurrence. Individual teachers are starting to upload their individual classroom videos and receive feedback from Instructional Coaches. We are seeing a rise in charter schools using classroom video cameras throughout school buildings. Videos can capture many things from safety self reflection; it is a good thing! With a secure platform; Instructional Coaches to provide timely supportive feedback to novice and experienced teachers anywhere and at anytime.Video recording also helps student teachers. According to Miriam Sherin In-service (teachers currently teaching) and pre-service teachers (student teachers) can truly benefit from a video reviewof the classroom. In her research, both in-service and pre-service teachers practice changed overtime. Both teachers noticed the change in their classroom student behavior, individual scaffolding techniques, their pedagogy and practice. Video capture can help teachers identify student behavior as well. Having the teacher watch the video on their own and not together is a proven best practice. Teachers come to the debrief with a form that shares individual thoughts prior to the meeting is supportive yet non-invasive. A typical cycle is to observe the classroom, have the teacher watch the video with the questions, debrief together marking strengths and areas of growth, have the teacher select a goal and plan for implementation of the goal in the next lesson and/or model the area of growth. Yes, it is a great thing to work with teacher in areas of need but it is also very important to use the video to identifying student behaviors, classroom management styles, equity, and inclusion.Jim Knight created a video feedback form that is not evaluative that focusing on student outcomes. The questioning form in his book, "The impact Cycle" has each teacher express on a scale what they would rate themselves. Did they meet their objective? It also asks about highlights of the lesson and techniques and what they could have done to change the outcome. Last, he asks the teacher how could we measure your outcome? Together, the teacher and the coach plan strategies to use to reach their new goal.Harvard University’s Center for Education Policy Research, the Best Foot Forward Project, takes a look at the use of video classroom observation technology in the feedback process. Here are a couple of benefits below according to Kjersti Ulvestad.
Video Classroom Observation Provides Concrete Evidence of Instruction
Video Increases Efficiency and Reduces the Costs by Facilitating
Video Enables Better Self-Reflection
Video Enables Self-Efficacy and Agency in the Classroom Observation Process
Classroom Observation Video Facilitates the Sharing of Best Practices and Lessons Learned
Note: While there are many benefits, it is very important that coaches and administrators are clear about the video cameras purpose being a tool to support teachers. Understanding administrative goals and the various usage of footage should be discussed before implementation.https://www.igi-global.com/Sherin, M. & van Es, E. (2005). Using Video to Support Teachers’ Ability to Notice Classroom Interactions.Ulvestad, Kjersti (2016). The Benifits of Using Video Classroom Observation tools for Teacher Professional Development