You know that zoned-out look kids get
when you're showing a video in class?
It looks something like this.
As teachers, we have to wonder-- are they actually learning?
Luckily, there are some great tools teachers can use
to make watching videos more interactive for students.
Today, we'll look at two teacher favorites: Zaption and EdPuzzle.
Both tools are similar in that
they infuse interactive learning into online videos.
But there are some key differences
you should know about,
because the last thing you want
is your kids zoning out when they're watching a video.
Both Zaption and EdPuzzle make it easy for teachers
to annotate and customize online videos.
This means you can add a customized layer
on top of just about any video,
inserting quizzes, questions, and comments
to get feedback from students.
Both tools can be used in most any subject area or grade level,
though younger elementary students
may need some extra help.
And they're both web-based with app versions,
so students can view on most any device.
But the similarities more or less end there.
Let's take a closer look
so you can decide which one's best for your classroom.
When it comes to annotating videos,
EdPuzzle's editing tools are easy to use.
You just upload a video, crop it, and customize.
As students view, the video pauses and...
up pops your questions!
EdPuzzle also offers audio overlay and audio notes
so you can insert your own personal commentary.
It's a great exercise for your students' listening skills.
TEACHER: What do you think the cat will do next?
MENDOZA: With EdPuzzle's progress report,
teachers can see answers to every question,
video progress timelines,
and an overall grade per student.
And, if you don't know where to start,
EdPuzzle has a library
of educational content and annotated videos
that you can customize.
Just know that EdPuzzle
makes all video lessons public by default.
So overall, EdPuzzle's simplicity is great.
But if you're looking for more features, check out Zaption.
Like EdPuzzle, Zaption allows you to annotate videos.
There's a free account
that gives you a lot of great options,
and a paid pro account that offers even more.
Zaption's free version includes
several different types of video annotations.
Teachers also have the ability
to overlay drawings, images, or text on top of videos.
It also offers analytics,
so you can see all kinds of data on students' viewing,
like submitted responses,
viewing time, total views-- you name it.
But you get much more with the pro account.
For starters, the ability
to piece together multiple videos
into what Zaption calls a learning tour,
which is like an interactive lesson.
The pro account also offers more ways for students to respond,
and you'll also get advanced data and analytics.
And like EdPuzzle, Zaption's gallery
offers a variety of educational videos and learning tours
you can choose from.
That's all great, but you might be wondering
about some of the more practical details.
Here's a quick overview.
EdPuzzle is completely free and offers basic video annotation.
Zaption's free version
offers a few more options than EdPuzzle,
and you can upgrade to get even more perks.
With both tools, teachers can create lessons
on any web-based device,
and both have app versions.
Students can watch from just about anywhere.
Both tools also take care
of storing and streaming the videos,
and both developers claim
that even if your school blocks YouTube,
students can still view the content
through their platforms.
So which tool is best for your classroom?
In the end, it really depends
on what you're looking to accomplish in your lesson.
If you're okay with a simple no-frills platform
that allows you to pose a few questions
on just one video,
then EdPuzzle's the one for you.
You'll get basic video annotation options
and the unique bonus feature of audio commentary.
Plus, you'll also get student analytics
related to your videos.
But if you want to get fancy, go with Zaption.
Zaption offers more annotation options,
and its most unique feature is the ability
to put together learning tours with multiple videos.
Plus, it offers more analytics than EdPuzzle.
Either way, you can't go wrong
by helping students become active viewers,
engaging them with interactive video content.
So how do you engage your students with online video?
Tell us what you think,
and check out all the best edtech tools and lesson ideas
at Common Sense Education.