To use or not to use the videos… that is the question and one of the most common questions asked about best practices for using the video resources in our TestOut courses. There is no right or wrong way to use them. In fact, instructors are encouraged to use the videos which ever way they see fit for their classes. The following are some quotes from customers about how they use (or don’t use) the videos.
I use the videos:
- Mine work at their own pace. They have a minimum they have to do each day. That includes videos, labs, and end of chapter quizzes. They are graded on those. For example, videos are 5 Points each and labs and quizzes are the TestOut point value. -Monika M.
- I think the learning via videos, demos and fact sheets [is] even more important than the labs/practice questions. Before I integrated, I gave triple pts for this side of the work. In the economy they need to learn how to learn not just skim the surface. - Carol O.
- My kids watch at 1.25+ speed. They get points for videos, labs, lessons, and quizzes. I used Kahoot! for review. My students are all in a different spot, self paced but review is for everyone; if you’re not there yet- you’re learning ahead and if you’ve already done that- you’re reviewing. - Patty M.
- I assign the videos and skills lab one day, challenge and applied labs next day. - Dena B.
- We watch videos together as well as do the skills lab together as a class. The students work through the other labs on their own. - Traci B.
- I tell them that I'm grading on everything; but I'm more interested in them watching the videos and doing the labs as I lecture the readings. - Laurie S.
I kind of use the videos:
- Kinda.... I will assign say “TestOut section 2.3 - 2.4” for today. Main thing I check is "did they get the labs done?" Now if mom or dad ask why Bobby didn’t pass his certification that is when I pull the data for the videos. It’s about a 50/50 split a lot of my students look at the transcript and just read the videos. - Eli C.
- Students can choose to use the videos, however if they do not score well in the challenge [lab] then they must go back and watch the videos. I do not grade them on watching the videos I grade them on their finished products within each challenge and applied lab. - Donna F.
- I use them for less known concepts like the research paper section for background. - Shiela A.
- It depends. I expect them to watch the videos, but don't typically give grades for it. The exception is Excel (and likely Access). In those cases, they will earn 5 points for watching each video. This can only help their grade (not giving a 0 if they don't watch them, only giving points for watching). I use the Testout PowerPoints to go over things and we do the Skills Labs together. - Mindy Z.
- So TestOut is so good, we question our role as teachers? You're not alone. In my IT classes, I give points for simulations, quizzes/practice questions, and custom exams. I encourage students to watch the videos (with captions or transcript on, to enhance visual learning). Thanks to COVID, I focus class time on answering/discussing students' questions and completing work that they cannot do outside of class (e.g. build a PC). I use custom exams to help keep students on-schedule, but they are always welcome to work ahead. Pre-pandemic, we would play team-based quiz games over the material and work through simulations together every week. - Roslyn T.
- I think it really depends on your group of students. Some groups need more than others. I assign sections. I look for student understanding on graded items. If scores indicate low understanding, I ask if they are watching the videos. I show them that I can see every page they have visited and for how long, and also show them (and parents) how to view that info as well. - Jennifer W.
I don’t use the videos:
- I lecture and have them participate in class discussion along with demonstration of skills. I don't want them sitting at their computers for the entire class. - Lisa C.
- My students work at their own pace and videos are encouraged but not mandatory. For my observation, and occasionally for a change of pace, I use the lesson PowerPoints under the instructor resource tab, we go through the required labs together. - Ashley H.
- At the beginning of each section, I review with the class the page that has the toolbar & buttons students will use in the lesson. (This is usually right before the skills lab). This allows me to teach to them about what toolbar and section of the toolbar will be used and I can explain about the function of each button. I have already done the labs as well so I can give them some tips and tricks that I know may be tricky for some. - KC S.
- I’ve been remote since August...and I just assigned the labs. I make sure they know the videos are available...but, I had them do one section per week. During our ‘live meetings’, I would go over the vocab words and important info found in the PowerPoints that accompany each chapter. - Jennifer H.