Why? How?

Why to Use.....

We recommend using videos in presentations, workshops, meetings, etc for a number of reasons. First of all, the correctly selected video can often feature scenarios and people to whom we can relate. When we are rolling out a new idea, or trying to set the stage, the videos can often illustrate the idea or start the wheels turning in the minds of attendees.

Videos are able to draw in audiences, creating important emotional connections. They also help deepen the concepts, as often the videos are remembered long after the discussion or lecture, but the videos can often ground that idea and strengthen the learning. Our ability to stimulate and motivate more learners increases with the use of videos.

Our culture is full of stories. Think about the workshops you've attended, the presenters you've seen. The very skilled ones intertwine stories. Just think...you too can be that skilled storyteller, using videos to help you do that work. Scenes from movies or TED Talks can be very powerful, sharpening the focus of the message you need to get across, adding that "real life" dimension or example to make the point.

How to Use...

Trying to figure out how to make it work?

Start with the feeling you want to evoke. What do you want to do? Do you want to focus or inspire? Do you want to start the thinking or front-load an idea? Are you looking for a video to enhance or deepen?

Then identify the amount of time you have. Do you have 5 minutes for a lengthy scene or can 30 seconds do the trick? Is there a perfect example that you can shorten to cover just the specific point you want?

How to Start...

Select your video.

Sketch out how you will provide an introduction without giving away the content and message.

Create 2-3 follow up points to make, or even a set of questions you can ask to gain audience engagement and get them talk to one another. Some questions you might consider:

a. How does the video relate to our work?

b. If you had been part of the situation, what might you have done?

c. What were your thoughts or reactions as you watched?

d. How might you use this with your staff or students?

e. What can we learn from the video that we should keep in mind in our own work environments?

f. What did you find interesting in this clip?

g.To what extent is the ________ in this situation necessary? (fill in the blank - conflict, defeat, situation, humility, listening, result, message, etc)

h. What impact does being able to achieve this state have on the individuals involved? the organization? the greater community?

Be ready to facilitate a short discussion, if needed. Consider asking for volunteers to share their thoughts, or the thoughts of partners or others in the group. You could even have the group members point with their elbows to a colleague they think should respond. Don't forget...it's not about 'sit and git' but an opportunity to model the strategies we'd like to see adults use with one another and with students.

How to Create Your Own Collection of Videos

We've started you on the road to using videos and have shared close to 100 with you. However, you have to explore them, know what works in your environment, have a few in your back pocket you can tap into at a moment's notice, and house all of the videos you like in an area that makes sense for you. Here are some of our suggestions:

a. create a YouTube account and "favorite" the videos you may want to use

b. create a folder on your desktop to house the videos you've used; we suggest downloading them and saving them on your desktop so you have a backup plan if you aren't able to get them running during a time when you find you don't have the internet coverage you expected UPDATE - This was our recommendation for years, but in the past couple, many downloading sites have shut down. We do not have a recommendation for a YouTube downloader at this time.