Unlocking video: 24/7 learning for iPod generation

To suggest that video has revolutionised education over the last three decades would perhaps be something of an exaggeration. However, it is fair to say that video has created a multitude of opportunities for educators and learners alike, and recent developments in technology are paving the way for a genuine revolution. It is easy to forget just how difficult, expensive and time-consuming it was to generate any kind of video material only a few years ago. It was a challenge to get videos to their target audience, with cumbersome VHS cassettes being the medium of choice before CD-Roms became standard. Today, most of us carry around a mobile phone which has a high quality camera. This allows us not only to record videos, but to upload them to YouTube within minutes to reach a potential audience of millions. The possibilities are endless, limited only by the imagination of the individual behind the lens.

Here, we outline some applications of video that educators working at any level might consider using to enhance the learning experience of their students.