There are many reasons why recording lessons is useful – especially in times where we are looking to limit the number of people in classrooms. We listed 13 of these in our last blog!
However, there are a number of understandable concerns about video in classrooms – so in this blog we look at seven features of ONVU Learning that show how it has been designed to meet the needs of teachers, and how it is ideal for the demands of the new normal’!
1. Always On
ONVU Learning removes the need for something to be ‘switched on’ at the start of a lesson – allowing a teacher to concentrate on delivering the best teaching from the very start of their session. This makes it ideas for secondary schools where ‘bubbles’ mean that teachers now travel to classes rather than students moving. We’ve already seen schools recording and share best practice in ‘owning the room’ in this situation!
2. Discreet
One of the biggest problems with lesson observation is the Hawthorne effect, where the presence of the observer (whether a senior leader who changes the dynamic of the room) or a trainee teacher (who causes excitement) affects the lesson. ONVU Learning isn’t ‘hidden’ but is out of student eyesight and records a true picture of what really happens in the classroom.
3. Flexible
Using a mobile device often leads to limits in what is recorded – usually focusing on the teacher alone. ONVU Learning's 360-degree lens allow the whole classroom to be recorded, so that observers can look at student reaction and group dynamics as well as the teacher, creating a much richer learning tool. As a result, student teachers can use the same lesson to complete a number of assignments.
4. Teacher-controlled
A real problem with one-off observations is that teachers feel the pressure to deliver ‘perfect’ lessons, rehearsing them and focusing on what they believe an observer is looking for. Because ONVU Learning footage is under the control of the classroom teacher who can choose what they share, they are likely to identify real areas for reflection and improvement – and reassure trainee teachers that they are not expected to be ‘perfect’ from the start!
5. A clear view
The video and sound quality of a mobile device placed at the back of a classroom can be highly variable during a lesson as teachers and students move around a classroom, for example for practical or group work. The ONVU Learning camera is mounted high up in the classroom and has a clear line-of-sight to pick up everything that happens in the classroom, as well as high quality audio to record everything that is said.
6. COVID- friendly
Once installed outside teaching hours, there is no need for anyone to be in the classroom operating the ONVU Learning system and no equipment being moved in and out of rooms, removing the chance of passing on any infection and maintaining ‘bubbles’.
7. Easy to use
Finally, footage can be viewed immediately by teachers and quickly shared with colleagues and even external mentors. This allows quick reflection so that teachers can ask for support and take action ahead of the next time they teach that subject or class – or share their expertise with other teaching the same topic.
If you would like to find out more about how we deliver all these features, get in touch with our team now.
