One simple way to hold students accountable while watching a video is to ask closed-ended questions. Now, let me be clear. In all other cases, I prefer open-ended questions because they allow the student to explain and expand their answers, which pushes them toward higher proficiency levels. However, closed questions with more than one right answer help students focus on something concrete. Plus, it’s the perfect primer BEFORE an open-ended question.
Example #1
Unit Topic: Introductions (level one)
Daily Objective: I can tell my name and introduce a friend.
La Pregunta:
Not a Spanish teacher? Translation: “What are 5 of the names mentioned in the video?”
Example #2
Unit Topic: Descriptions (level 1)
Daily Objective: I can describe my personality.
La Pregunta:
(Not a Spanish teacher? The video has a lot of options for describing a gol. What are the different descriptions?)
Example #3:
Unit Topic: Shopping (level 1)
Daily Objective: I can understand coupons and ads. (What products? What deals? What’s the price?)
I can compare Black Friday deals.
La Pregunta:
(Not a Spanish teacher? What is the event? Where? What time?)
Example #4
Unit Topic: Entertainment (Level 2)
Daily Objective: I can categorize different genres of music and tell the basic message of the song.
La Pregunta:
(Not a Spanish teacher? What does the singer say he has? What doesn’t he have?)
Example #5
Unit Topic: Careers and My Future (level 4)
Daily Objective: I can list potential careers I’m interested in and explain why I like them.
La Pregunta:
(Not a Spanish teacher? According to the video, Who needs to enjoy breakfast? Why?)
There’s no one way to do this, but this is how it works best for me.
Show the video once before you ask any questions. Let them see what they can figure out without a task.
Next, ask a question that has more than one correct answer. (This gives them a reason to watch it again.)
Post the question so they can see it (as you are asking it).
Show the video again.
Let them discuss their answers first as partners or groups then together as a whole class.
Check out more ways to use YouTube videos!
YouTube Task #1 – Identify Aspects of Culture
YouTube Task #2: Focus on the Facts
Coca-cola Life?! I had to look that up. “Coca-Cola Life is a product of Coca Cola launched in Argentina in June 2013, in Chile in November of that year, in Sweden in June 2014 and in the UK in September 2014. Wikipedia” Just as important are the questions that students will have. #encouragecuriosity
Thanks so much for sharing these samples! Now I have a better idea on how to use videos from YouTube in class. Now a big question: How did you guys find these videos? So specific to the topics we teach in class! Like the first one on introductions. Do you type specific words on YouTube?
Just like class, examples are powerful! I’ll have a post on tips for finding them very soon! Maybe Friday.
Honestly, it takes time. I share new finds with a few teacher friends and they send their favorites to me. I’ve been teaching some of the same topics for years so by now I have lots to choose from, but of course, some seem dated now and I have to start the search over again. This is exactly why we created our “Chispas” page, so that if every teacher shared a few videos and we organized them by topic we would ALL have tons of videos and authres to support our lessons. Check out what we have so far, and send us a recommendation if you have a great one!
http://www.creativelanguageclass.com/chispas-authentic-resources/
I get so inspired by all the posts on your web site. Both of you would make muchísimo dinero if you made units and had everything in a bundle. I also use so many of your items on TPT…. just saying =0)
Thanks Jaqui! We are working on 2 units now. Hopefully will be done by end of the month. (fingers crossed) We do have a few in our Mercado on this site. http://www.creativelanguageclass.com/product-category/unit-plans/
Thank you so much for sharing! I teach Italian, but am having a little bit of trouble finding commericials to use. How were you able to find them to fit your units?
Welcome! This post explains how I find videos (and show students how to find them!) – http://www.creativelanguageclass.com/authres/videos/youtube-task-5-the-search/
Hi there,
Can you re-upload the first video with the introductions? Or reply with the link? It says it is unavailable and I want to use it with my Span 1. Gracias!
Hi Melanie… it’s updated! Have a great day!
Muchas Gracias!
Hi there,
Can you re-upload the first video with the introductions? Or reply with the link? It says it is unavailable and I want to use it with my Span 1. Gracias!
Hi, David! The video is updated! Enjoy!