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video

vid·e·o

/ˈvidēō/

Noun

The broadcasting of moving visual images, typically accompanied by audio and often used to demonstrate, illustrate or communicate ideas that are difficult to describe by text and graphics alone. There are many tools available to us to create, store and broadcast digital videos.

Activity in a Flipped Programming Class

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two students sitting in front of a computer with code on the monitors
Photo Credit

Credit: Desola Lanre-Ologun on Unsplash, Accessed Feb. 16, 2026.

A flipped classroom requires that students engage with course materials before class and then use class time for active learning activities and opportunities for deeper engagement with the content and each other. Begin by introducing students to the flipped classroom model, providing clear expectations, and discussing the roles both they and you will play.  

Teaching a Lab Class in a Flipped Classroom

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three students with lab googles on dissecting a frog
Photo Credit

Credit: Pxhere is licensed under CCO, Accessed Feb. 16, 2026

A flipped classroom requires students to engage with course materials before class and then use class time for active learning activities and opportunities for deeper engagement with the content and each other. Begin by introducing students to the flipped classroom model, providing clear expectations, and discussing the roles both they and you will play.

Utilizing 360 Video for Practice and Assessment

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barn with arrows indicating it is a 360 degree video
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Credit: © Penn State is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Veterinary and biomedical students are asked to watch a video of walking through a barn and to list the best practices for animal welfare and farm management shown in the video. They are also asked to list items that need to be improved. This offers a way to expand student experiences and allows them to practice evaluating without the time and expense of traveling. Further, this practice protects the biosecurity of the farm locations.

Using Professionally Produced Video Lectures

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screenshot of a video with an instructor with a PowerPoint
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Credit: T. Palmer © Penn State is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 

A presentation recorded in the studio produces a polished resource that can be used to share knowledge and content and provide an opportunity for students to review the material as often as needed to ensure comprehension. Professor Todd Palmer has recorded all his lectures for a course on Materials Science. Viewers can see the presentation and the instructor along with the laser pointer motion directing student attention.

Using Video to Facilitate Building 3D Models in a Fully Online Course

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screenshot of a video - hands holding a 3D module of a crystal
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Credit: © Penn State is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

MATSE 400: Crystal Chemistry requires students to build complex 3D models of crystals. In a traditional lab situation, the instructor walks around the room to assist the students while they build the 3D models. The video above provides the online students an opportunity to see the intricate details of the model building process.

Using the Lightboard for an Exam Review Session with Complicated Mathematical Problems

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Screenshot of a video with an instructor writing complex equations
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Credit: © Penn State is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 

PNG 301: Introduction to Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering is a fully online course where students are required to solve complex mathematical equations. PNG 301 makes use of the Dutton Institute’s lightboard to record the teaching assistant as he works through a series of practice exam questions.

Illustrating a Lab with a Video Explanation

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professor in a science lab with 2 tall clear cylinders in front of him
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Credit: © Penn State is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 

Video allows students to observe the behaviors of specific materials. Seeing the ball respond differently to materials which look alike illuminates the impact of underlaying structure, making it easier to grasp the concept. Even if the chemical structures involved were depicted in a drawing, the impact of the structures to dislocation in motion is not intuitive, so actually demonstrating the behavior helps us to understand and retain the concept.

Using Video-Based Asynchronous Discussions

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4 cartoon heads with a picture of a play button in the right corner.
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© Penn State is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 

Video-based asynchronous discussions are an excellent alternative, or addition to, text-based discussions. Video-based asynchronous discussions utilize an app to create a group discussion or sharing opportunity where students record short videos of themselves and respond to their peers' posts via video. Video discussions are very effective at creating social and teaching presence and increased collaboration.

Using Interactive Videos to Encourage Active Learning

Screenshot of an interactive video

Credit: Mark Wherley © Penn State is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 

Interactive videos are an excellent choice for providing an active learning experience for students. Instead of a video that positions the learner as a passive listener, interactive videos engage the viewer and demand certain forms of interaction. In fact, students have reported that interactive videos can be fun and allow them to learn the content better compared to videos without any forms of interaction (Kim, Glassman, Monroy-Hernandez, & Morris, 2015; Neo, Neo, & Yap, 2008).