How can videos be used for constructive learning?

Are you one of those educators who gives videos thumb-up when it comes to using them in your classrooms? There are many websites nowadays that provide an assortment of videos for educational use, such as TeacherTube, streaming videos at Discovery Education, Khan Academy, WatchKnowLearn (Jane mentioned it in tonight's class I taught), to name a few. What are some effective ways of using these great Internet resources? How can videos be used for constructive learning? Traditionally, films and videos have been shown to students in a passive manner and sometimes as a Friday treat. In that sense, not much effort is made to help students retain information, engage in dialogues leading to deep thinking, and use the content for extended learning.

I believe the following questions can be a quick guide for planning use of videos in classrooms:

• What is my goal of using the video?
• introduction of a new concept?
• visualization?
• background knowledge?
• additional informational resource?
• provocation of ideas?
• different perspective?
• first-hand account or resources (primary sources)?
• dramatization? 
• emotional and/or cultural connections? 
• modeling of behaviors?
• other? 
• What is the set-up of video viewing experience? 
• small groups?
• whole class? 
• independent self-paced viewing? 
• What comes before, during, and after video/films? 
• How can my students be best engaged in the video activity? 
• What is the "sinew", "tendon", and "muscle" of the whole activity in which video is embedded? 
• What "hooks" do I need to use to get students' interested in/prepared for the video? Worksheets? Think-sheets? Questions? Key vocabularies? 
• Establish a focus for viewing videos. Consider having different students watch for different things. 
• Where should I pause during video watching (especially if it is a long one)? How can I segment it strategically so that all viewers can take in information effectively without tuning off? 
• Review the video content and have discussions after watching. 
• Reflect on the video immediately after watching. 
• Assign follow-up activities.
• How is it used in conjunction with other resources? 
• Make connections between video and other types of resources
• Have students compare and contrast information gleaned from these resources

Edutopia has a page of information on how to use educational videos. 

http://www.edutopia.org/youtube-educational-videos-classroom