Video-Assisted Learning: Using Educational Videos to Teach

Video-assisted learning is a growing strategic teaching approach in many modern classrooms. Educational videos are now more accessible than ever, and teachers are increasingly making use of this readily available resource. But with increased screen time comes increased controversy and debate. While videos in class can be great for things like social-emotional learning, cognitive ability, and inclusivity, if not properly utilized, they can also waste valuable time and even hinder academic performance.   

Read on to discover how to implement video-assisted learning successfully, or check out ViewSonic Education Solutions to expand your teaching toolkit.

Video-assisted learning at its core is simply the integration of videos into lessons. But just as technology has evolved over the years, so, too, have the dynamics between student and teacher. Students do not simply strive to land a job where they sit quietly and obey. Educators aim for them to become innovators and creators, to argue and question the things around them, and to grow up to be better, well-rounded, and happy individuals.

Videos, television, and movies are nothing new, but optimizing them for learning is still a challenge. Videos can help students perform better not just academically but also emotionally and socially. Videos can provide students with a completely new world, even if the scope is still quite limited.

Understanding how to use videos for teaching and learning isn’t necessarily difficult, but it is important to be well informed in regards to both the benefits and disadvantages of screen time so that you can make the best choice for your students.

What is Video-Assisted Learning?

Video-assisted learning is defined as a strategic teaching approach to using videos (either educational or conceptual) to improve students’ comprehension, cognitive ability, or social-emotional skills. What that means is that videos are more than just a way to pass time or provide additional information on a specific learning objective. Video-assisted learning takes videos and transforms them into an important part of both general education and student wellbeing.

Whether they are short, targeted clips or television programs, videos are proven to benefit different aspects of a student’s development and educational progress. How this impacts the student depends on the type of videos used and the practices you wish to employ. Video-assisted learning is not ideal for isolated use but should rather be an addition to the already existing curriculum or individualized education plans (IEP).

This is because videos—educational, conceptual, or entertaining—can have negative consequences for student progress if not managed properly. This article will help you identify which video type is best for your students as well as how to manage and prevent common negative side effects associated with screen time and skewed or inappropriate content.

What Counts as Video-Assisted Learning?

One thing that is great about the term video-assisted learning is that it is explained in the term itself! Videos are learning aids, not the main pedagogy of learning. Video-assisted learning can be as simple as watching a documentary on the water cycle at the end of a lesson all the way to more complex and complete forms like video modeling.

It is important to be well informed when making decisions related to video-assisted learning. Especially if you plan to use videos as a supplementary form of education outside of the usual classroom ”movie-day.” Using videos for social-emotional learning, for example, needs to be done with caution as videos might offer a limited worldview on a topic that is quite vast.

Video-assisted learning can be used to supplement any of the following areas of education:

Educational Supplements

Educational supplements refer to videos, short movies, or films where the primary purpose is to educate on a particular topic or learning objective. Common types of educational videos are short clips, documentaries, tutorials, some cartoons, and other forms of video media with the intent to teach. These videos are used purely as supplementary materials to help reinforce ideas taught in the classroom.

Many teachers are probably familiar with this form of video-assisted learning as they are an easy and effective way to enhance lesson plans that may be lacking in otherwise physical materials. Most modern classrooms are equipped with a projector or laptop, and even with “old-school” teaching setups, there’s probably at least a TV with a DVD, Blu-ray, or VHS player that can be used to play an educational video.

One of the biggest benefits of using educational videos is that it gives students another viewpoint or teaching style on the same topic. For example, if you taught a particular learning objective using gamification, it may be beneficial to also show a video that breaks down the objective step-by-step to give students an additional option to learn from.

Gamification resources to consider include: BRAINPOP, FunBrain, National Geographic Kids, and EduTube.

Social-Emotional Learning

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process of developing social-emotional skills like self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work, and general life success. This type of learning also includes things like self-discipline and emotion management but can also overlap with other cognitive abilities.

Educational videos targeting social-emotional learning often involve things like moral storytelling or demonstrations of practical life skills. A great example of this is video modeling. Video modeling is unique in that it is an evidence-based practice. Video modeling is often used primarily for students with autism but it has practical uses for other types of students and even adults.

If your school is starting to implement more SEL tactics, one video resource you should utilize is moozoom. Moozoom is a social-emotional learning tool that utilizes videos, resources, and journal-like tools to help students fight personal challenges and build real-world skills.​ Unlike many SEL tools that take a self-centered approach, moozoom is an interactive “choose your own path” activity that lets students understand their own emotions by learning from other students’ journeys. Not to mention the video quality is Hollywood-level!​

Cognitive Ability

Cognitive abilities refer to abilities and skills relating to the brain. These can be things like language acquisition, fine motor skills, and critical thinking. Video-assisted learning is great for developing cognitive abilities from both a shallow and a deep-learning level. One well-known benefit is the promotion of creativity. But there are numerous other benefits for videos as well.

When using videos to promote cognitive ability, keep in mind that they are not successful on their own. In fact, research from the Society for Research in Children Development shows that videos can have no bearing on a child if there is not an active watching intent. Another study found that educational videos with deeper processing tasks and higher cognitive engagement were associated with better learning outcomes.

This means a child watching Dora the Explorer, despite the awesome scriptwriting, will not become fluent in another language unless they actively engaged in the show and use these skills in a face-to-face environment. So if you use videos as a supplementary asset, it is beneficial for cognitive ability in certain age groups. If you want to use videos to help with things like language, motor skills, or other brain-related skills, always continue the video with actionable activities like worksheets, reflective discussions, or prompting.

Inclusivity

Inclusive classrooms are becoming more important in the modern classroom setting, although exact definitions of the term can vary. Some define it as a place where multicultural education is fostered while others define it simply as classrooms that include students with special needs, impairments, or disabilities in a general education class. Whichever definition you choose to use, what is important is the impact video-assisted learning can have.

When it comes to inclusivity, there are generally two different ways to use videos for learning. One approach is to use videos as an educational supplement. For example, if you are using a learning model like hybrid learning, then videos can quickly be a source of extra lessons or material for students falling behind or needing more time. Providing videos can also allow you to limit interaction with advanced students so that those who require more face-to-face interactions for learning can receive more assistance.

The second approach for video-assisted learning is using videos as a means of cultural awareness. No country is truly homogeneous anymore. Even those with few immigrants may still have different ethnicities, cultural traditions, lifestyles, and religions all living in the same town. With video-assisted you can easily share, create, and expand on videos of different cultures to increase awareness and understanding.

How Do I Use Videos for Teaching?

Implementing video-assisted learning is quite easy. All you need is a display, projector, or even a smartphone. If you want to start implementing more complex methods of video-assisted learning, there are more advanced tools available that will help you capitalize specifically on the positive benefits. But first, here are some basic considerations when implementing video-assisted learning.

Survey Your Students

The first important step to teaching with video content is to know who your students are. Sometimes videos are not ideal for a particular group of students. For example, if you find yourself in a class that does best with hands-on activities and labs, they will be bored sitting quietly and watching videos.

Another important factor to consider is those with different needs. For example, children with ADHD have been shown to react poorly to screen time and classroom videos so much that it negatively impacts their academic success. Other factors are things like age-appropriate content, culturally sensitive material, and diversity of cast members for positive self-reflection by relating to characters on screen.

When You Should Use Videos

Videos should be used as supplementary material only. Unless you are in a film directing class, playing movies or videos all the time is not ideal for effective active learning. That is why even in online classes, students still must do worksheets, participate in online discussions, and sometimes even do service-learning to complete their course.

The best time to use videos in the classroom are:

• Before a learning objective is introduced
• After a learning objective is completed
• When there are multiple types of behavioral situations
• With hybrid or distance learning setups where extra materials are needed
• In inclusive classrooms accommodating for different learning paces
• At home to reinforce learning objectives without instruction

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Classroom Design

Classroom design is important for how videos function in your classroom. For example, if you are implementing a flipped classroom, then videos may not actually ever be played in class but rather at home. On the other hand, if your classroom does not have any type of display, class-wide videos may not be an option.

Since videos are not as resource intensive as before, all you need is a great projector or interactive whiteboard to get the job done. Simply place the screen at the front of the classroom and use as needed. Or if you have access to more resources, get the students to create their own videos. Video creation for students is often more beneficial than watching premade videos on the same topic.

Also, if you are looking for a great projector that is ideal for education and accessibility, we recommended checking out our article on what to look for when purchasing an education projector and check out our ViewBoards for education that come pre-installed with the myViewBoard software to learn how you can completely change the dynamics of your classroom.

Where Can I Find Free Educational Videos?

Teachers can access a wide range of free educational videos online to support lessons, reinforce concepts, and engage students across subjects and grade levels. Resources to consider include:

• Khan Academy: Offers a comprehensive library of expert-led video lessons in math, science, and the humanities, alongside AI-powered resources designed to help educators streamline lesson planning and instructional support.
• PBS LearningMedia: Provides thousands of standards-aligned videos and segments from trusted programs like NOVA and Nature, complemented by ready-to-use lesson plans and interactive classroom tools.
• TED-Ed: Features high-quality animated lessons that break down complex academic concepts, including a popular series of puzzles and riddles designed to strengthen student logic and critical thinking.
• The Kid Should See This (TKSST): A curated collection of thousands of kid-safe videos focusing on STEAM and the arts, hand-picked by human editors to spark curiosity without the influence of platform algorithms.

Before using any video in the classroom, however, teachers should confirm that the content is age-appropriate, aligns with curriculum goals, and is permitted for classroom use.

Final Thoughts

Video-assisted learning is a great tool to regularly adopt in your lesson plans. Screen time is a controversial topic for many, so make sure to follow good research and make well-informed choices when implementing videos. If done right, students will benefit greatly in their learning process and have much more fun and active learning overall.

If you are ready to start using video-assisted learning, check out ViewSonic Education Solutions. Or, if you are interested in other evolving teaching strategies in the classroom, check out how virtual and augmented reality are changing classrooms.

Frequently Asked Questions About Video-Assisted Learning