How to Use Video to Train School Staff and Teachers

Key Takeaways

• Teacher training videos offer a flexible and scalable solution for staff education.

• Using video for professional development allows educators to learn at their own pace.

• Video streamlines the onboarding process, ensuring all new staff receive consistent information.

• A visual approach is excellent for modeling effective classroom pedagogy.

• Consistency, clear objectives, and interactivity are crucial for successful training videos.

A compelling array of evidence shows that teacher training videos can significantly improve how educators develop and apply new skills. Research from IRIS Connect indicates that video-based coaching can enhance student achievement by the equivalent of an additional two months of learning. These visual resources help schools present consistent guidance, demonstrate effective teaching strategies, and showcase classroom management techniques in action. Teachers can pause, replay, and reflect on content, making the learning process flexible and self-paced. This approach also supports collaborative reflection, where staff can discuss examples and refine their practices together, ultimately leading to improved instructional quality, stronger teacher confidence, and a more unified approach to enhancing student outcomes across the school.

The Impact of Teacher Training Videos

Teacher training videos have revolutionized how schools and districts approach staff development. They provide a scalable solution that ensures every member of the team, regardless of their schedule or role, has access to the same high-quality information. A video can be watched anytime, anywhere, allowing educators to fit training into their busy lives, whether it's during a planning period or after hours. This flexibility not only boosts participation rates but also reduces the stress associated with attending mandatory, in-person events.

These videos also ensure consistency. When a new policy or instructional strategy is introduced, a single video can explain it clearly and uniformly to all staff, eliminating the risk of information being lost or misinterpreted as it passes from person to person. This makes video-based training an incredibly efficient and reliable tool for communicating important information and fostering a shared understanding across the school community.

Read more: Why Corporate Training Videos Are Essential for Every Industry?

Enhancing Professional Development with Video

Video-based training is a cornerstone of modern professional development. It allows for a level of personalization that traditional training often cannot match. Educators can choose to focus on the topics most relevant to their needs, watching a video on classroom management one day and a video on integrating new technology the next. This self-directed approach empowers teachers to take ownership of their own growth, rather than being confined to a one-size-fits-all training agenda.

Videos can be used to model specific teaching techniques, showcase examples of successful lessons, and provide interviews with experts. When a teacher sees a new strategy implemented in a real classroom setting, it becomes more tangible and easier to replicate. The ability to watch a video, reflect on the content, and then apply it in their own classroom creates a powerful learning loop. By making professional development a continuous and on-demand process, video helps to foster a culture of lifelong learning and continuous improvement within a school or district, leading to a more innovative and effective teaching staff.

Read more: DEI & PoSH Training Videos: Best Practices for Impact

Streamlining Onboarding with Video

The onboarding process can feel overwhelming for new hires, with a large amount of information to absorb quickly.

• Short, structured videos provide a consistent introduction to school policies, procedures, and culture.

• Topics can include completing paperwork, understanding the school’s mission, and learning its core values.

• A video campus tour helps new staff familiarize themselves with their surroundings before arrival.

• Demonstrations can cover tasks like accessing the online grading system or handling specific classroom situations.

• Video onboarding saves administrators time while boosting new hires’ confidence.

• Creates a welcoming, organized first impression that supports long-term success and job satisfaction.

Using video for onboarding ensures every new teacher or staff member begins with the same foundational knowledge. This approach blends clarity, convenience, and engagement, making it easier for new hires to adapt quickly and feel part of the school community from day one.

Read more: 5 Ways Video Training Improves Employee Retention

Improving Classroom Pedagogy with Video

One of the most powerful applications of video is for improving classroom pedagogy. A video can provide a window into an exemplary classroom, allowing teachers to observe effective instructional techniques in action. They can watch how a master teacher manages a classroom, facilitates a group discussion, or engages students with a particularly challenging topic. This is a form of observational learning that is highly effective. The ability to see theory put into practice is invaluable for both new and experienced educators.

When creating these videos, it's important to focus on specific, actionable strategies. Use a combination of on-the-ground footage and interviews with the teacher to explain the "why" behind their methods. Consider using on-screen text or graphics to highlight key moments or to explain a theoretical concept being demonstrated. This approach to improving pedagogy allows for a rich and detailed analysis of teaching techniques, providing a clear path for professional growth.

Here are some examples of pedagogical practices that can be effectively modeled with video:

• Inquiry-Based Learning: Show a teacher guiding students through a project where they pose questions, research answers, and present their findings.

• Differentiated Instruction: Demonstrate how a teacher uses small group instruction and personalized activities to meet the needs of diverse learners in the same classroom.

• Positive Behavior Interventions: Film a teacher using clear, positive language and proactive strategies to manage classroom behavior and create a respectful learning environment.

• Technology Integration: Showcase a teacher seamlessly integrating a new educational app or tool into a lesson, from initial setup to student use.

• Collaborative Group Work: Use close-up shots and quick cuts to show students actively engaged in a group project, highlighting the teacher's role as a facilitator.

The ability to share these best practices through video also fosters peer-to-peer learning, allowing teachers to learn from their colleagues and build a collaborative, supportive professional community.

See how HSF helped Bambinos create engaging educational content that boosts communication and presentation skills. Watch the video: 

House Sparrow Films: Your Partner in Creating Teacher Training Videos

At House Sparrow Films, we specialize in creating compelling teacher training videos that empower educators to succeed. Our experienced team works with schools and districts to develop a comprehensive video strategy that aligns with your educational goals. We understand the importance of clarity, consistency, and engaging content. Our goal is to help you create professional and impactful video content that transforms your approach to staff development.

Conclusion

Integrating teacher training videos into staff development plans offers schools a powerful way to enhance teaching quality and consistency. These resources allow educators to learn at their own pace, revisit strategies, and observe effective techniques in action. By fostering collaboration and reflective practice, schools can create an environment where continuous learning thrives, ultimately leading to better classroom experiences and improved student achievement. Ready to elevate your staff training with powerful video content? Contact House Sparrow Films today for a personalized consultation. Let us help you develop a video strategy that prepares your educators for success.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the ideal length for a teacher training video?
   Keep videos short and focused, typically 3-7 minutes. This is long enough to cover a single concept thoroughly without overwhelming the viewer. For longer topics, it's best to create a series of short, segmented videos.

2. Should we use live-action video or animation for training?
   Live-action is excellent for modeling classroom techniques and interviews. Animation is best for explaining abstract concepts, presenting data, or simplifying complex policies and procedures. A combination of both is often most effective.

3. How can we make our training videos interactive?
   Integrate quizzes, polls, or reflective questions directly into the video platform. Also, encourage teachers to discuss the video's content in follow-up team meetings or online forums.

4. How can we ensure our videos are accessible to all staff?
   Always include clear captions and transcripts. Use simple language and a moderate pace of speech. Providing a written summary of the key takeaways can also be helpful.

5. How can we measure the success of our training videos?
   Track key metrics like video completion rates, quiz scores, and feedback surveys. The ultimate measure is observing a positive change in classroom practices and student outcomes.