Posts Tagged ‘educational video’

2nd

Nov 2011

Visual Learning

Visual Learning and Learning Styles – The Power and The Glory

Zane Education provides a highly effective online visual learning solution using subtitled educational video, quizzes, video study tools and free lesson plans. They provide online learning for 11 different subjects and 260+ topics, with more material being added all the time.

Schools, teachers, homeschoolers and students across the United States and in other countries are using Zane Education’s Visual Learning solution in their homes and classrooms as a valuable and trusted teaching resource.

While Zane Education offers an extremely affordable online learning solution with a single price subscription per family – irrelevant of the number of children involved and which literally slashes the cost of home education – the main reason they are becoming increasing popular is because Zane understands that each child has a preferred learning style, and that by using subtitled video to teach any topic, they are able to provide each child with the opportunity to process that information in the most effective way. In other words, each child is given the choice of watching, listening to, or reading each video presentation.

So the single most important feature of Zane Education’s Visual Learning solution is that it effectively provides and caters for virtually every learning style – with the exception of kinaesthetic learning, or learning by touch. (more…)

Tags: educational video, english as a second language, ESL, Learning Styles, special needs, Visual Learning
Category: Learning Styles, Visual Learning
Comments: No Comments

7th

Jul 2011

Free Lesson Plans

Lesson Plans Now Provided Free by Zane Education

Online K12 education video provider Zane Education is in the process of adding a range of new educational tools and resources to complement and enhance the value of using their online curriculum-based educational video library. The latest addition is the introduction of free Lesson Plan guides for each of the 260 topics that are taught using their online videos.

The company made a decision to provide these Lesson Plan Guides for downloading at no cost, firstly to help reduce the cost of homeschooling, but also to enable homeschool parents and teachers in the classroom to spend more time doing what they do best – teaching and homeschool parenting. By providing these Lesson Plans to subscribers of their ondemand Visual Learning service, the company wants to enable teachers and homeschool parents to use the Lesson Plans as the framework to teach and explore each particular topic, then use the online K12 video as the means to deliver the facts in the same way that a text book would, thereby leaving them with more time to explore the other activities provided for in the Lesson Plan, and to actually interact with those children that require more help. (more…)

Tags: educational video, homeschool, K12, lesson plans, teachers, Zane Education
Category: Lesson Plans
Comments: 2 Comments

28th

Jun 2011

Educational Video and The K12 Curriculum

Wasting Money in Education – 50 State Curriculums?

I was recently given the job of conducting some research on Education in India and the current state of the education market in India.

One of the first things I discovered to my surprise was that in a country of 1.2 billion people with over 250 million students in the K12 age range at school, was that the country basically had one education curriculum.

At first I thought I had made a mistake, so I checked with our new office in India only to discover that was correct. A country that many consider third-world, does have an education system that essentially operates using one single curriculum.

So why on earth does a country like the United States – supposedly a world leader – a country with less than a quarter of India’s population and just 20% of that number of students, require 50 different State curriculums?

Are children in Los Angeles so totally different from children in New York or Florida? Of course not. So what on earth can possibly justify such a gross waste of time, energy and money, in a time when education appears to be under-funded and increasingly ineffective?

Can you imagine having 50 different financial currencies in one country, or a motor vehicle manufacturer like Ford making 50 different versions of a particular model of car, one for each State? Of course not. So why is it the case in education? (more…)

Tags: curricilum alignment, education for special needs, educational video, K12, K12 curriculum
Category: Educational Videos
Comments: 3 Comments

7th

May 2011

The Power of Combining Educational Videos with Subtitles

They say that every cloud has a silver lining, however sometimes it is not always obvious at first glance. And sometimes it can take as long as four years for that silver lining to become obvious. And this is one such situation that I going to share with you.

As the founder of Zane Education, it just on 10 years ago that I made a successful offer to buy a company called Zane Publishing Inc., a company that had previously been one of the leading educational software publishers, developing over 260 CD-ROM titles to provide teaching and testing for 260 topics for the K-12 curriculum.

The reason for wanting to buy Zane Publishing was simple. I could envision a time when being able to deliver so much wonderful curriculum-based educational content online would be invaluable. So here we are several years later having produced – and now delivering on the Zane Education website – over 1,000 online educational videos, with each of the 260 topics across 11 subjects, being provided with online interactive quizzes containing over 23,000 questions that continue the learning process by explaining why each answer is correct or incorrect.

The fact that every video was captioned, or provided subtitles – now being called by some as SMS or ‘same language subtitles’ – was purely coincidental because that was the original format provided by the original software. Some have described this style of presentation dated or old-fashion, however we understood that by presenting the videos in this format we provided each child with the option to watch, listen to, or read each presentation, and in doing so, catering for a range of learning styles and abilities. But I will be the first to admit that I never fully appreciated the true value of what we had.

The fact that all of our educational video content is developed specifically to meet the requirements of the curriculum – and not simply video of a general educational nature, and because we are able to provide such a valuable form of online testing – again specifically developed originally to help continue the learning process, we are well aware that our service offers a significantly better educational solution than those other websites simply providing collections of video of just a general educational nature. So in providing a service that truly has a potential global audience, we recently made the decision to launch a fund-raising that would bring in equity investors to give us the financial strength to market our online subscription service, much more effectively. (more…)

Tags: Availll Institute, Brij Kothari, captions, educational video, ESL, reading improvement, Reading Literacy, same language subtitles, Zane Education
Category: Educational Videos
Comments: 1 Comment

29th

Jan 2011

Visual Learning for Hearing Impaired Students

Subtitled Videos for Education of the Hearing Impaired Child

We begin this fifth article in the series about Visual Learning by stating the obvious, that educational videos that have been developed specifically to teach the K12 curriculum, and that purposely provide dedicated subtitles, provide an improved, effective and enjoyable way of delivering learning and education for the hearing impaired student or the child with hearing difficulties, and will encourage self-motivation towards a continuation of that learning experience. Or in simple terms, the hearing impaired student will enjoy this new and more meaningful way of learning, and as a result they are going to want to continue using it.

Children generally benefit greatly from Visual Learning. The use of educational video introduces that important element of fun to the learning process, it delivers the curriculum content in a graphical format that makes learning interesting, it enables and encourages them to learn at their own speed thereby enabling them to achieve their greatest potential, it provides a more compelling alternative to the textbook that often does little to inspire or motivate the student, and it provides them with what can be best described as their own virtual teacher complete with STOP and START buttons.

As the awareness of the effectiveness of Visual Learning has grown, and the significant benefits of online educational video have become more widely accepted and understood, the availability and the amount of online educational video has started to increase. However with the exception of one company, the needs of the hearing impaired child or student appear to have been largely ignored and forgotten.

While this may not have been deliberate, the fact remains that this has largely come about because the majority of so-called educational video available online, is film footage that was original recorded for other uses including general TV distribution, and was not developed specifically for the teaching of the K12 curriculum. In other words, simply because those videos may be of a general educational nature, does not mean that they adequately meet the requirements of the curriculum standards.

Zane Education however has taken a totally different approach, and as a result has a developed an online educational video library of over 1,500 online videos covering 11 school subjects and 240 topics specifically for the teaching of the curriculum. And wonderfully they have had the foresight to provide children with as many learning style options as possible, by adding subtitles to all of their videos.

In other words children with hearing impairments can now also enjoy the significant benefits of online educational video.

As was pointed out in an earlier article on Visual Learning that specifically addressed the issue of Dyslexia, there are those that would speculate that learning by using video rather than the use of textbooks, means that children’s reading skills will suffer. Obviously with the addition of subtitles that is not necessarily the case. In fact a future article to be released in the next week will demonstrate and explain precisely, how video subtitles can be used to rapidly increase a child’s reading skills. And Research carried out by the Availll Institute over the last 5 years has demonstrated the link between the use of subtitles on video, and the improvement in children’s reading skills. (more…)

Tags: educational video, hearing impaired, interactive quizzes, K12 curriculum, subtitles, Zane Education
Category: Educational Videos, Hearing Impairments
Comments: No Comments

28th

Jan 2011

Visual Learning for Special Needs

Subtitled Educational Videos and Your Special Needs Child

We begin this fourth article in the series about Visual Learning by looking at exactly what Visual Learning is and what the term Special Needs is generally accepted to mean. Then as we move on we will examine how the various techniques and ways that subtitled educational video can be used to provide an effective way of achieving education advancement with your Special Needs child or student.

The definition of Visual Learning is “a teaching and learning style in which ideas, concepts, data and other information are associated with images and techniques. It is one of the three basic types of learning styles that also includes kinesthetic learning and auditory learning.” In other words, by using subtitled educational video to deliver curriculum material in a graphical format combined with the use of various techniques we are able to stimulate the learning process in a meaningful, interesting, enjoyable and effective manner.

And the term “special needs” generally applies to mental or physical disabilities or circumstances that create an exceptional situation requiring individualized educational programs, physical accessibility or primary care requirements.

Here at Zane Education we feel very strongly about the use of the term “Special Needs”. And the reason is because we believe that every child has special needs. Each one has the need to be loved, cared for, nurtured and educated. Each of these is a particularly special need that every child deserves. However what is of greatest importance is to understand and appreciate that every child is different, and the way we as teachers and parents accommodate and effectively provide for those needs, often comes down to each child’s individual personality. And when it comes to providing education that child’s individual abilities and preferences need to be understood and catered for if the learning process is to be meaningful and effective, especially if we desire to arouse and help develop that child’s powers of self-motivation.
(more…)

Tags: educational video, K12, multiple choice quizzes, special needs, subtitles, Visual Learning, Zane Education
Category: Special Needs Students, Visual Learning
Comments: No Comments

27th

Jan 2011

Visual Learning and Your Child

The Benefits of Subtitled Educational Video for the Average Child

We start this third article in the series about Visual Learning and the Use of Subtitled Educational Video to benefit Children of All Abilities, with an apology.

We apologize using the term “Average Child” in the subtitle above because we do not believe there is any such thing as the “Average Child”. Every single child is entirely different and a unique person in their own right, and has their own set of likes, dislikes, and above all learning preferences……and that is exactly what makes the use of subtitled educational video and Visual Learning such a beneficial learning solution for the child that does not have any significant disabilities.

Generally, Visual Learning is about using graphics to deliver information or data, in this case curriculum based learning material, combined with various techniques that enables the delivery of that information to be more effective in various cases like special needs etc. However for the child that does not have learning difficulties or impediments, it is the nature of subtitled video itself that delivers the significant learning benefits. And note the emphasis is on the world subtitled, as opposed to video without the subtitles.

Essentially educational video sets each child free from the abilities of their peers and provides the environment that enables each child to study at their own speed thereby enables them to achieve their greatest potential. Unlike in the classroom environment the child has the control the delivery of the information. If they don’t understand something, they are able to press the STOP or START buttons as many times as is necessary until they fully understand the material. In essence there is no more missing out because the teacher has covered the subject too quickly. The other situation that many children often encounter is the onset of boredom when the teacher has to proceed at a slower speed for other students that have not been able to process the information as quickly as their peers. But with video, it is the child that has the control and they are able to decide themselves when they need to go back over parts of a particular topic again.

The use of video as a learning medium makes the education and learning experience compelling, considerably more interesting, and it introduces the element of fun. Introducing the element of fun to the learning process makes it an enjoyable experience and suddenly we notice from that the child starts to become a lot more self-motivated towards repeating the education experience. The motivated child starts to understand the reason for learning, and that motivation often then starts to cultivate the desire to know more, particularly in those areas that interest them, and for which they have an affinity and natural abilities.
(more…)

Tags: curriculum, educational video, quizzes for K12, Visual Learning, Zane Education
Category: Educational Videos, Visual Learning
Comments: No Comments

25th

Jan 2011

Curriculum for Dyslexia

Visual Learning for Dyslexia Students

This article outlines how subtitled educational videos provide the ideal learning and curriculum teaching environment for children with Dyslexia, and dyslexic students generally.

Visual Learning is defined as “a teaching and learning style in which ideas, concepts, data and other information are associated with images and techniques. It is one of the three basic types of learning styles that also includes kinesthetic learning and auditory learning.”

So while subtitled educational video provides the ideal solution for dyslexia and many special needs and learning difficulties, it is very important to understand that the educational video that is the tool, and it is the way you use the tool, or the technique, that defines how that tool can be use appropriately to cater for specific educational needs. This is less the case when we are talk about providing an education solution for children with Dyslexia simply because the video itself provides the all important option to the textbook, however when we look at improving the reading of the Dyslexic child, it is very important.

It is important to note that we are specifically talking about the use of educational videos that are subtitled, and not just any old educational videos. This is ultimately important because with subtitled educational video each child or student is provided with the choice to watch, to listen to, and/ or to read each presentation. Not only does this mean that each child is able to absorb and process the information that best suites their situation, and their individual abilities. It also means that in each situation, the subtitles can, and should be used to help improve each student’s reading skills.

So in providing curriculum for students with dyslexia, it means that the educational video is used to cater for the needs of the dyslexic child, but it should also be used to help improve their reading abilities.

One reasonably accurate description of Dyslexia is “an impairment in the brain’s processing of information that results in difficulty reading, spelling, writing, and related language skills.”

Therefore in providing a learning solution for the dyslexic student, it is obvious that an alternative way of delivering the necessary curriculum content or learning material, should be one where reading is not required. And video provides that ideal alternative.

For all children the use of video in education and learning is a compelling, interesting and much more fun way of learning. With the introduction of fun and interest, learning becomes much more of an enjoyable experience and therefore much more effective. As a result it motivates and incentivises the child to become more involved with, and engage in, the learning process.

This is exactly the same for the Dyslexic student, but at the same time it provides the child with dyslexia, a lifeline to their education and academic development. It’s fun and interesting, but at the same time it eradicates the need for the textbook by providing the all-important way in which the curriculum content can be delivered to them, irrespective of whatever reading disabilities they may have.
(more…)

Tags: curriculum for dyslexia, dyslexia, educational video, K12 curriculum, subtitled video
Category: Dyslexia & Reading Difficulties, Visual Learning
Comments: 2 Comments

24th

Jan 2011

Visual Learning and Educational Video

The Art of Using Subtitled Educational Video for Visual Learning

Visual Learning is such an effective means of learning for children and students of all ages, that it virtually essential for every teacher and parent to know and fully understand exactly what it is, and how it can be used to enrich every child’s education.

And why is this so important for all teachers and parents?

Because we live in an age that no matter how much we care about our children, education and learning is becoming so dull and uninteresting for many of them, that many kids simply lack the motivation and drive to make the most of the educational opportunities that are available to them.

This is both sad and ironic, because it is arguable that never before has the education of our children been so important.

Zane Education is currently the only provider of educational video that has been specifically developed for the teaching of the K12 curriculum that has included the subtitles with each video. Their online educational video subscription system provides access to the world’s largest online subtitled educational video library, and when we discuss Visual Learning, subtitled educational video is one of the most compelling interesting and effective forms of Visual Learning available for children and students of all ages and abilities, particularly in situations where reading and learning difficulties of all types are involved.

As one of the leaders in the field of Visual Learning, Zane Education has decided to publish a series of articles that will demonstrate for teachers and parents alike, how subtitled educational video should be used as an effective and valuable tool to breath life back into the education of not only the average school or homeschool educated child, but also children with Special Needs, Learning Difficulties, Autism, Dyslexia and Reading Difficulties, Sight Impaired Students, Hearing Impaired Students and Disabled Students.

At the same time you will come to understand how Gifted Students and ESL Students will also benefit in a meaningful way. And above all, you will be shown how subtitled, educational video can, and should be used to rapidly improve reading skills while learning a range of curriculum subjects, in what can be a remarkably short period of time.

But first it is important to understand the definition of Visual Learning.
(more…)