I have wanted to re-watch and write about this video for a couple of weeks ago now, ever since I originally came across it on Twitter. I am not going to blow anyone's mind with some new fandangled educational philosophy or pedagogical approach, but I do want to share my opinion on some of what Derek Muller presents in this video, and flush out what I believe are the key elements of what he shares.
Before I gave my thoughts though, I wanted to find out more about Muller and why he spoke so passionately about this topic ...so I dug a little deeper (aka, google searched him). Aside from being an energetic and engaging presenter (something he has parlayed into a job on TV in Australia), he is a former Vancouver resident, a Queens Graduate and has his PhD from the University of Sydney in Australia in physics education research. He did his Doctorate studies on the keys to effective educational science videos and presented his findings at TEDxSydney in 2012. As part of his research, he started up a very successful YouTube channel called Veritasium which has nearly 2.3 million subscribers!
So for this he video lays out how technology has promised to change the face of education ever since the dawn of motion pictures. Muller goes on to describe how technology has come and gone over the past 100 years, and nothing has really changed the face of education in a revolutionary way, because the way we deliver education hasn't changed. He talks about the imminence of computer programs that can give learners all the information and lessons they need to get the sort of education that was taught last century. Muller suggests that if all teachers do is deliver information, than they are indeed obsolete. He goes on to say that while technology has given people better access to knowledge, and the forms of presenting the information (eg. film, radio, video discs, interactive computer animation) have improved, there is no proof that one method is really any better than another.
Okay, it may seem counter-intuitive to suggest that programs like Khan Academy, BrainPop and other interactive forms of media aren't superior to textbooks with pictures, but he argues that "so long as the content is equivalent between the two treatments, the learning outcomes are the same with different media." In other words, it doesn't really matter how good the content and visuals are if the knowledge isn't sinking in. Hmmmm...that kinda makes sense, doesn't it? In his own words he says, "what limits learning is what happens inside the students' head...that is where the important part of learning takes place." So no matter how good the delivery or message, true learning only happens when students are able to make sense of it.
From this point, he goes into an explanation of how to make science videos more effective, which again makes sense, given the fact he received his PhD for research on that very topic. But the best and most impactful message from his video comes when he starts to discuss the role of the educator. Muller says, "the fundamental role of the teacher is not to deliver information, it is to guide the social process of learning. The job of the teacher is to inspire, to challenge, [and] excite their students to want to learn." Then he wraps ups this incredibly well-crafted and presented video with these gems of advice:
If it isn't obvious already, I love Muller's message and medium! I wholeheartedly agree that as a tool, a well-designed and researched video can be an excellent way to engage students in the learning process. (One of my absolute favourites are John and Hank Green's "Crash Course" video series...yes the same John Green who wrote "The Fault in Our Stars." )
**Check out the video, and let me know what you think in the comments box below. I have linked a lot of the different sites or videos strewn throughout the text, so feel free to click on any of the blue highlighted text to learn more.**
Before I gave my thoughts though, I wanted to find out more about Muller and why he spoke so passionately about this topic ...so I dug a little deeper (aka, google searched him). Aside from being an energetic and engaging presenter (something he has parlayed into a job on TV in Australia), he is a former Vancouver resident, a Queens Graduate and has his PhD from the University of Sydney in Australia in physics education research. He did his Doctorate studies on the keys to effective educational science videos and presented his findings at TEDxSydney in 2012. As part of his research, he started up a very successful YouTube channel called Veritasium which has nearly 2.3 million subscribers!
So for this he video lays out how technology has promised to change the face of education ever since the dawn of motion pictures. Muller goes on to describe how technology has come and gone over the past 100 years, and nothing has really changed the face of education in a revolutionary way, because the way we deliver education hasn't changed. He talks about the imminence of computer programs that can give learners all the information and lessons they need to get the sort of education that was taught last century. Muller suggests that if all teachers do is deliver information, than they are indeed obsolete. He goes on to say that while technology has given people better access to knowledge, and the forms of presenting the information (eg. film, radio, video discs, interactive computer animation) have improved, there is no proof that one method is really any better than another.
Okay, it may seem counter-intuitive to suggest that programs like Khan Academy, BrainPop and other interactive forms of media aren't superior to textbooks with pictures, but he argues that "so long as the content is equivalent between the two treatments, the learning outcomes are the same with different media." In other words, it doesn't really matter how good the content and visuals are if the knowledge isn't sinking in. Hmmmm...that kinda makes sense, doesn't it? In his own words he says, "what limits learning is what happens inside the students' head...that is where the important part of learning takes place." So no matter how good the delivery or message, true learning only happens when students are able to make sense of it.
From this point, he goes into an explanation of how to make science videos more effective, which again makes sense, given the fact he received his PhD for research on that very topic. But the best and most impactful message from his video comes when he starts to discuss the role of the educator. Muller says, "the fundamental role of the teacher is not to deliver information, it is to guide the social process of learning. The job of the teacher is to inspire, to challenge, [and] excite their students to want to learn." Then he wraps ups this incredibly well-crafted and presented video with these gems of advice:
- "Technology in teaching is best characterized as an evolution, not a revolution." (Sounds like a wicked bumper sticker or t-shirt to me!)
- "The foundation of education is still based on the social interaction between teachers and students. For as transformative as each new technology seems to be, what really matters is making a learner think in a social environment, with other learners and a caring teacher." (Dude nails it!!! Education is not top down! It is an experience that is very individualized, social and collaborative. The key ingredients being: a willing and inspired student and a nurturing, resourceful and flexible educator.)
If it isn't obvious already, I love Muller's message and medium! I wholeheartedly agree that as a tool, a well-designed and researched video can be an excellent way to engage students in the learning process. (One of my absolute favourites are John and Hank Green's "Crash Course" video series...yes the same John Green who wrote "The Fault in Our Stars." )
**Check out the video, and let me know what you think in the comments box below. I have linked a lot of the different sites or videos strewn throughout the text, so feel free to click on any of the blue highlighted text to learn more.**