The Challenges of Creating Curriculum With Educational Video

With 63% of teachers using technology with their students on a daily basis and video being the most common type of digital tool they use, it’s no wonder more courseware developers are seeking out educational video to include in their digital learning curriculum.

Of course, creating quality, developmentally appropriate curriculum isn’t easy. It’s not enough to explain concepts clearly, align content with educational standards, and satisfy learning outcomes. For digital curriculum to be effective, it must also be engaging, visually stimulating, and infused with real-life examples wherever possible. Educational videos are a great way for courseware providers to satisfy such often-competing demands, all while giving teachers more of the digital tools they demand.

Using educational video isn’t a quick fix, however. We’ve found four primary challenges that can either slow down a courseware developer’s adoption of video or stop it altogether.

Challenge #1: Finding quality videos on the subject

A key challenge involved in finding quality educational videos is sorting through the ever-increasing volume of digital content available across the Internet. Finding unbiased, informative videos that appropriately cover a topic often requires some creative searching. Even after finding a few options, the total time spent searching and reviewing videos often leaves little to show for the time and effort.

Challenge #2: Finding videos tailored to the appropriate age level

Every age level needs concepts explained in varying levels of detail. The way photosynthesis is explained to a fifth-grader will be completely different from the way it’s explained to an eighth-grader. The same holds true for educational videos. Though some educational videos may explain a concept effectively, if it’s not appropriate for the learner’s age level, comprehension will be impacted.

Challenge #3: Getting the rights to use a video

Fair use for educational videos only goes so far. If you’re looking to use educational videos in your courseware or within a classroom, it’s crucial to establish whether or not using a video in a particular way violates certain permissions.

Obtaining the rights to use a particular video can be a time-consuming and manual process. Lawyers, negotiations, contracts, and the prolonged timelines that come with those headaches, all stand in the way of the development of useful educational materials.

Additionally, even after the rights are acquired to use a video, there may be limitations on how that video can be used. For example, there may be restrictions on editing or customizing a particular clip to meet educational learning objectives.

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Challenge #4: Creating custom videos

Some courseware developers may choose to create their own videos if there are no other educational video options readily available. While creating custom videos is a viable alternative to finding a video that fits with a curriculum’s objective, it’s crucial to consider the time and financial commitment of developing a video in-house or outsourcing it to a third-party.

The Solution: Boclips for Publishers

We developed Boclips for Publishers in 2014 to make it easier and faster for education providers to incorporate educational videos into their courses. With over two million videos from over 150 content partners (including Bloomberg, Reuters, PBS Newshour, MediaCorp, Getty Images, and MazzMedia), we simplify your procurement process and make finding and licensing rights-ready educational videos as painless as it should be.

Learn more about Boclips for Publishers or contact us to chat about getting started with a curated selection of educational videos for your digital courseware.