Learning BirdCreating Great Video Lessons in 3 Steps

Student Attention Maxes out in 10-15 Minutes - Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

At Learning Bird we host thousands of video lessons created by real teachers. So we’ve learned a thing or two about creating really good ones.

You don’t have long to hold a student’s attention, and video is a great way to maximise what little you have.

We’ve found video lessons are not as daunting as they seem. And, we’d like to share what we know.

Step 1: Planning

Some of our best lessons utilize things like baking cookies to teach measurement and counting eggs from a chicken coup to teach mean/median/mode. Why they are so effective is they tell a story. They answer the timeless question “How am I going to use this in real life?” There are stories to tell everywhere throughout your day to day life. Think about how your routine can be incorporated in your lesson plans.

Step 1: Planning • Know your Audience and Create a Gameplan

Ask yourself:What grade are you making a lesson for?What is their topic progression?What aspect of a topic are you going to focus on?How are you going to contextualise this lesson?

Step 1: Planning • Know your Audience and Create a Gameplan

Step 1: Planning • Nail Down the Key Points

Breaking a lesson down into a series of shorter micro-lessons is the best way to engage a generation obsessed with 15-second instagram videos and 140 character tweets.

Focus on one topic

Turn a whole lesson into a series of micro-lessons

Keep it short • 3-7 Minute lessons work best

Step 2: Design

No distracting backgrounds ● Text, Or talking, Not Both.

Step 2: Design • Keep It Simple

When creating a video lesson, less is definitely more. You want your audience to be able to follow your train of thought. Don’t give them multiple items to focus on. Lots of text with a voice-over won’t work. Keep the information clean and simple.

Step 2: Design • Combining Words & Images Effectively

Students learn best when text & visuals are combined. Choose one of these two styles - but don’t combine them. This will make your video visually appealing without making it distracting or overwhelming for your audience.

2. Static images

& Text

1.Animation &

NarrationOR

*Pro Hint* On screen text competes with narration, even when text mimics what’s spoken.

Step 2: Design • Keep Accessibility in Mind

Remember some of your audience may be second-language learners, have hearing, or vision impairment or have difficulty reading. Consider the use of subtitles for specific audiences.

Remember if you use text, use Large, Easy to Read fonts.

Step 3: Execution

Step 3: Production • Mix It Up

Change up the format of your presentation - have fun with it! Take advantage of the tools at your disposal. Are you planning on baking a cake? This is a perfect moment to film a math lesson.

● Screen record a powerpoint● Screen cast a smartboard● Sing a Song● Change up your setting● Get creative with what you have

Step 3: Production • Make Thumbnails Stand-Out

Design an opening template in Powerpoint or Keynote so your video gets noticed.

Step 3: Production • Reuse!

Some tips for optimal reusability:

Create your video with multiple uses in mind: for homework, the classroom, and teacher inspiration.

● Omit references to specific textbooks● Mention alternative vocab● Keep the video simple and topic focused

Step 3: Production • Production > Perfection

You want your video to be great but you don’t need it to be perfect. Don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s better to get it out there and see how your students react to it. Have your ears open for feedback and use it to take your next video up a notch.

❏ Is the sound clear?❏ Are the visuals clear?

❏ Is the topic clearly described?❏ Does your content flow?

Remember, the first videos are the hardest!

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