As educators, we often wonder if students are truly learning when we show them videos in class. Fortunately, there are innovative tools available that can transform passive video watching into an interactive learning experience. Today, we will explore two popular educational technology tools: Zaption and EdPuzzle. Both platforms enhance online videos with interactive elements, but they have distinct features that can influence student engagement.
Both Zaption and EdPuzzle allow educators to annotate and customize online videos. This means you can add quizzes, questions, and comments to videos, creating a personalized learning experience. These tools are versatile and can be used across various subjects and educational levels, although younger students might require additional guidance. They are accessible via web browsers and have app versions, making them available on most devices.
EdPuzzle offers user-friendly editing tools that make video customization straightforward. Teachers can upload videos, crop them, and insert questions that pause the video to engage students. Additionally, EdPuzzle provides audio overlay and notes, enabling teachers to add commentary, which is beneficial for enhancing listening skills.
EdPuzzle’s progress report feature allows teachers to track student responses, monitor video progress, and view overall grades. For those unsure where to start, EdPuzzle offers a library of educational content and pre-annotated videos that can be customized. However, it’s important to note that EdPuzzle makes all video lessons public by default.
While EdPuzzle is known for its simplicity, Zaption offers more advanced features. Like EdPuzzle, Zaption allows video annotations and provides a free account with numerous options, as well as a paid pro account for additional features. The free version includes various annotation types, and teachers can overlay drawings, images, or text on videos. Zaption also offers analytics to track student engagement, such as responses and viewing time.
The pro account in Zaption allows educators to combine multiple videos into what is called a “learning tour,” functioning as an interactive lesson. It also provides more response options for students and advanced data analytics. Similar to EdPuzzle, Zaption’s gallery includes a range of educational videos and learning tours.
In summary, EdPuzzle is completely free and offers basic video annotation capabilities. Zaption’s free version provides more options than EdPuzzle, with the potential to upgrade for additional features. Both tools enable teachers to create lessons on any web-based device and have app versions for student access. They also manage video storage and streaming, and both platforms claim that students can view content even if YouTube is blocked by the school.
Deciding which tool is best for your classroom depends on your lesson objectives. If you prefer a straightforward platform that allows you to pose a few questions on a single video, EdPuzzle is an excellent choice. It offers basic video annotation options, audio commentary, and student analytics.
Conversely, if you seek more advanced features, Zaption is the better option. It provides a broader range of annotation possibilities and the unique ability to create learning tours with multiple videos, along with more detailed analytics than EdPuzzle.
Ultimately, both tools encourage students to become active participants by engaging them with interactive video content. How do you engage your students with online video? Share your thoughts and explore more educational technology tools and lesson ideas at Common Sense Education.
Take some time to explore both Zaption and EdPuzzle. Create a list of features for each tool and compare them. Consider how these features can be applied to your specific teaching context. Reflect on which tool might better suit your needs and why.
Choose a video relevant to your field of study and use either Zaption or EdPuzzle to annotate it. Add questions, comments, and other interactive elements. Share your video with peers and gather feedback on its effectiveness in engaging students.
After implementing an interactive video lesson, use the analytics features of Zaption or EdPuzzle to assess student engagement. Analyze the data to understand how students interacted with the content and identify areas for improvement.
If using Zaption, create a learning tour by combining multiple videos into a cohesive lesson. Incorporate various annotation types and response options. Present your learning tour to a group of peers and discuss its potential impact on student learning.
Organize a session where you and your peers present your interactive video lessons. Provide constructive feedback on each other’s work, focusing on the use of interactive elements and the overall engagement level of the lesson.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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You know that look students get when you’re showing a video in class? It looks something like this. As educators, we often wonder—are they actually learning? Fortunately, there are some excellent tools that can make watching videos more interactive for students. Today, we’ll explore two popular options: Zaption and EdPuzzle. Both tools enhance online videos with interactive learning elements, but there are some key differences to consider, as we want to keep students engaged.
Both Zaption and EdPuzzle allow teachers to annotate and customize online videos. This means you can add a personalized layer to almost any video, inserting quizzes, questions, and comments to gather feedback from students. Both tools are applicable across various subjects and grade levels, although younger students may need additional support. They are web-based and have app versions, so students can access them on most devices.
When it comes to annotating videos, EdPuzzle offers user-friendly editing tools. You can upload a video, crop it, and customize it easily. As students watch, the video pauses to display your questions. EdPuzzle also provides audio overlay and notes, allowing you to add your own commentary, which is beneficial for developing listening skills.
With EdPuzzle’s progress report, teachers can track responses to questions, video progress timelines, and overall grades for each student. If you’re unsure where to begin, EdPuzzle has a library of educational content and annotated videos that you can customize. Just keep in mind that EdPuzzle makes all video lessons public by default.
Overall, EdPuzzle’s simplicity is advantageous. However, if you’re looking for more features, consider Zaption. Like EdPuzzle, Zaption allows video annotations, and it offers a free account with many options, as well as a paid pro account for additional features. The free version of Zaption includes various types of video annotations, and teachers can overlay drawings, images, or text on videos. It also provides analytics to track students’ viewing data, such as submitted responses and viewing time.
With the pro account, you can combine multiple videos into what Zaption calls a learning tour, which functions like an interactive lesson. The pro account also offers more response options for students and advanced data analytics. Similar to EdPuzzle, Zaption’s gallery includes a variety of educational videos and learning tours.
Here’s a quick overview: EdPuzzle is completely free and offers basic video annotation. Zaption’s free version provides more options than EdPuzzle, with the possibility to upgrade for additional benefits. Both tools allow teachers to create lessons on any web-based device, and both have app versions for student access. They also handle video storage and streaming, and both developers claim that even if your school blocks YouTube, students can still view content through their platforms.
So, which tool is best for your classroom? Ultimately, it depends on your lesson goals. If you prefer a straightforward platform that allows you to pose a few questions on a single video, EdPuzzle is a great choice. You’ll have basic video annotation options and the added benefit of audio commentary, along with student analytics.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for more advanced features, Zaption is the way to go. It offers a wider range of annotation options and the unique ability to create learning tours with multiple videos, along with more detailed analytics than EdPuzzle.
Either way, both tools help students become active viewers by engaging them with interactive video content. How do you engage your students with online video? Share your thoughts and explore more edtech tools and lesson ideas at Common Sense Education.
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This version maintains the original content’s meaning while removing any informal language and ensuring clarity.
EdTech – The use of technology to enhance teaching and learning processes. – The integration of EdTech in classrooms has revolutionized the way students engage with educational content.
Interactive – Involving active participation and engagement from users, often through digital means. – Interactive learning platforms allow students to participate in simulations that enhance their understanding of complex concepts.
Video – A digital recording of moving visual images used as a tool for instruction and learning. – The use of video lectures in online courses provides students with the flexibility to learn at their own pace.
Annotation – Notes or comments added to a text or diagram to provide explanation or insight. – Digital annotation tools enable students to highlight and comment on key sections of their e-textbooks, facilitating deeper understanding.
Engagement – The level of interest and participation that students exhibit in the learning process. – High levels of engagement in virtual classrooms can be achieved through interactive activities and real-time feedback.
Analytics – The systematic computational analysis of data or statistics to inform decision-making. – Learning analytics help educators track student progress and tailor instruction to meet individual needs.
Customization – The process of modifying something to suit a particular individual or task. – Customization of learning paths allows students to focus on areas where they need the most improvement.
Learning – The acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching. – Adaptive learning technologies adjust the difficulty of tasks based on the student’s current level of understanding.
Students – Individuals who are engaged in the process of learning, typically in an educational setting. – Students benefit from personalized feedback provided by AI-driven educational platforms.
Tools – Resources or instruments used to enhance learning and facilitate educational processes. – Digital tools such as learning management systems and collaborative platforms have become essential in modern education.
