Shopping for new backpacks, classroom supplies, and that perfect first-day outfit can only mean one thing—the back-to-school 2023 season is here! Right now, educators and students alike are experiencing excitement, anticipation – and sometimes even a bit of dread – as the new year rolls around. Everyone’s been there and can agree that the transition from the carefree pace of summer break to the structured routine of school is sometimes, well…rough.
Two tactical start-of-term activities that help set the tone for a successful year of learning are baseline assessments and summary video lesson refreshers.
Students must get quickly reacquainted with the demands of the educational environment, re-engage with learning material, and reestablish a productive mindset, while teachers are required to review core fundamentals and build upon that knowledge with an entirely new set of curricula. Baseline assessments and summary video lessons are the perfect solutions for achieving these objectives for all parties. And the best part? WeVideo offers all the essentials that educators and learners need in order to execute these impactful strategies easily and efficiently within the classroom setting.
In this blog, we take a deep dive into the benefits of these two important back-to-school activities and explore how to create, evaluate and implement them using WeVideo to ensure strong outcomes. Now let’s begin.
Baseline assessments: The “starting line” of learning
Baseline assessments are diagnostic tests that are administered to students at the beginning of a learning period. These helpful assessments are vital during a new term as they allow educators to benchmark each student’s level of understanding and leverage the insights to customize early refresher lessons and monitor progress throughout the year. Working from a more data-driven baseline of where learners are in their recall of prerequisite concepts and taking that into account in the early days of a new semester may also improve student engagement and boost the likelihood of a positive learning outcome.
Imagine heading out on a road trip without knowing your starting point or destination. It's a recipe for confusion and lost time. Similarly, educators need to know where their students stand academically to chart a clear course for learning. Baseline assessments can achieve this by helping educators understand what students have already mastered and where they need more support. This knowledge allows teachers to design a curriculum that builds upon existing comprehension while introducing new concepts.
Since every student is unique in their strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles, assessments let educators appreciate this diversity and adapt their teaching methods accordingly. For example, if an assessment reveals that a student is a math whizz but struggles with reading comprehension, teachers can tailor instruction to include more visual aids or hands-on activities in language arts. This personalized approach fosters a supportive learning environment where each student's needs are addressed to help them stay on track and achieve academic growth.
Crafting impactful baseline assessments sets the stage for a successful educational journey. Begin by clearly defining the learning objectives you want to evaluate to ensure alignment with curriculum standards. Develop a variety of question types, such as multiple-choice, short-answers, and scenario-based questions, to comprehensively gauge students' understanding. Engage diverse learners by incorporating multimedia elements like images or videos that provide real-world context and make the assessment more dynamic. By combining thoughtful question design, clear classroom objectives, and interactive elements, teachers can create baseline assessments that determine students' knowledge and ignite a spark for learning from the very start.
There are many ways to design and execute effective baseline tests that will specifically cater to unique learning needs. These may include:
- Traditional methods such as written surveys or one-on-one discussions that provide valuable insights into students’ prior knowledge.
- Online assessment platforms with pre-built question banks and automated grading to streamline the assessment process.
- Multimedia creation technology, like WeVideo, that utilize interactive video assessments and engages students with dynamic, immersive, and visual content.
By combining these tools, educators can develop comprehensive baseline assessments that allow everyone in the classroom to embark on a new school year with clarity and confidence.
Ready, set, create! Making baseline assessments fun with WeVideo
Think of WeVideo as a full-time classroom aid, supporting instructors at every turn to improve baseline testing standards. The platform’s intuitive interface and easy-to-use tools let teachers create captivating content that makes the personal diagnostic process fun and exciting for students. Incorporate multimedia elements such as images, videos, and interactive questions with a simple drag-and-drop functionality. These hands-on assessments not only capture students' attention but also cater to diverse learning styles to ensure a more comprehensive understanding of past material.
Creating baseline assessment multimedia projects with WeVideo is a straightforward process that yields powerful results. To prove it, here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to showcase the seamless approach for generating a tailored pre-test.
- Choose a topic
Determine the assessment subject or concept. - Storyboard
Outline the key points to be covered in the assessment video to ensure a clear and organized presentation. - Gather resources
Collect relevant images, videos, and any other visual aids that will strengthen the pre-test. (Tip: Source them directly within WeVideo and get access to 1M+ royalty-free assets!)
- Record narration
Add a voiceover to provide context and explanations for the assessment content. It's as easy as pressing Narrate.
- Edit & enhance
Utilize editing features to trim, cut, and elevate the evaluation video for a polished final product. - Add interactive elements
Use interactive tools to add questions, polls, or annotations to engage students and test their understanding. Choose from open-ended discussions, multiple choice, and more!
- Share & track
Once ready, easily share the final video with students and tap into WeVideo's analytics to track engagement and assess student baselines.
Instructors can also assign at-home multimedia creation projects that set students up for success even before classroom doors reopen. Tasking students with developing short videos to summarize a favorite summer memory or discuss a subject they’re excited to tackle in the new year encourages learners to flex their creative skills and gives teachers insights into their interests, making it easier to get to know a new class and customize early curriculum.
With WeVideo’s pre-designed Assignments Idea Library and a hefty set of user-friendly in-platform tools, teachers can focus on crafting high-quality content without getting bogged down by technical complexities. This time-saving advantage lets educators effortlessly integrate baseline evaluations right into new semester preparations.
Intuitive WeVideo features transform mundane written back-to-school assignments into engaging multimedia projects that motivate students to dive back into learning mode. From recording their narratives to adding visual elements, students can develop digital skills while expressing themselves. With WeVideo, baseline assessments are no longer seen as a test, but instead, become immersive and interactive experiences that connect summer fun to the academic year ahead.
More than just a playback: How summary video lesson refreshers boost learning opportunities & success
A need for video lesson refreshers becomes all the more evident for teachers on the first day back—which can be overwhelming as students acclimate to new class routines and subject matter. After a long break from school, kids often find themselves grappling with what’s known as “summer slide” or “summer learning loss.” In fact, in 2020 the American Educational Research Journal conducted a study that found kids lost, on average, about 20% in reading and 27% of school-year gains in math during summertime.
Summary video lesson refreshers serve as a strategic tool to counteract this phenomenon. These video snippets help remind students of what was taught before the break, allowing them to reactivate their memory and reconnect with academic concepts that might have faded, so they can jump back into the learning flow with a stronger foundation.
Beyond a simple playback of information, these videos are key in shaping students' classroom experiences and enhancing their chances of conquering new grade-level material. Refresher videos recap the core concepts of a lesson into concise, visually engaging packages to make things easier for kids to grasp. Research shows that the brain processes visual information more effectively, resulting in improved comprehension and retention—meaning that when students revisit these videos, they're not just watching; they're actively reinforcing their memory and understanding of the subject matter.
A student’s level of confidence also comes into play when the goal is academic success. By revisiting previously learned material through summary videos, kids experience a sense of accomplishment as they recognize and understand the content. This boost in self-certainty translates to increased motivation and a positive attitude toward learning. Armed with a renewed belief in their capabilities, learners are more likely to actively participate, engage in discussions, and take on new challenges throughout the school year.
Lights, camera, WeVideo! The ultimate director toolkit for unforgettable refresher content
With WeVideo, instructors have a comprehensive toolkit to create visually captivating and interactive video content that leaves a lasting impression on their students.
Teachers can painlessly cut, trim, and arrange clips to make for a coherent and engaging narrative that will resonate with a new class of eager learners; or incorporate transitions and visual effects for an element of creativity that keeps them fully engaged as they digest essential concepts.
From WeVideo’s animations and graphics to overlays and text, instructors can add visual flair that strengthens comprehension and retention. Imagine a science lesson coming to life with animated depictions of chemical reactions or historical events being illustrated through immersive illustrations – these tools enable educators to transform concepts into compelling stories that quickly capture the attention of students for deeper learning.
Effective teaching recognizes and embraces student diversity in the classroom, and with WeVideo’s solutions for personalized learning, educators can seamlessly tailor summary videos to individual needs and education styles. Whether it's adding annotations to highlight key points or adjusting the pacing to accommodate different comprehension speeds, teachers can ensure that every learner benefits from the video refreshers in their own, unique way.
Consider a math teacher looking to create a summary video on algebraic equations. With WeVideo's customization options, the instructor can develop interactive questions within the video to test students' understanding. By analyzing classroom responses, teachers can also identify common misconceptions and adapt instructional methods to shift the learning process from passive to active to foster a deeper grasp of the material.
Hear what three real-life educators from Virginia Beach Public School have to say about their experiences with using WeVideo in the classroom.
Success from the start: WeVideo’s role in data-driven planning for a new semester
Data-driven decision-making has become a powerful and beneficial asset in education. Particularly during the back-to-school season, in-depth student learning insights can provide teachers with a roadmap for continual progress and growth. By analyzing past performance, engagement trends, and areas that need improvement, educators can make informed decisions that maximize student learning results.
WeVideo's analytics uncover a comprehensive view of how each learner interacts with baseline assessments and summary videos. Instructors can track which parts of the segment kids were most focused on, identify where they lost interest, and measure overall engagement levels. These details create a window into student learning preferences and help teachers refine their instructional strategies accordingly.
Imagine that a history teacher is examining the analytics of a summary video on the American Revolution. By identifying that a significant portion of students replayed a segment about key figures, the teacher recognizes the need for further exploration of this topic. This insight informs future lessons, allowing instructors to allocate more time to discuss subject matter that caters to students' demonstrated interests.
Assessment data serves as a guidepost for educators seeking to provide targeted interventions and differentiated instruction. With WeVideo's analytics, teachers can efficiently identify students who might be struggling with specific concepts and develop interventions tailored to their needs. This proactive approach prevents learning gaps from widening and ensures that every student receives the necessary support to succeed.
WeVideo's analytics aren't just numbers; they're the key to unlocking the full potential of each student. These perceptions reveal learning gaps that might have gone otherwise unnoticed. Armed with this information, a teacher is supported with key insights to outline custom strategies for addressing gaps, ranging from small group discussions to additional practice exercises. This personalized approach guarantees that students are well-prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.
Gearing up for a new year with WeVideo: Pro tips & best practices
Looking for some nifty baseline assessment and video summary lesson tips and tricks to try out to kick off the new year? WeVideo has you covered!
- Create a captivating video to introduce the new curriculum
Introduce students to the subjects and concepts they'll be diving into. Imagine a science teacher using WeVideo's animation tools to create eye-catching visual content that gives students a sneak peek into the wonders of the natural world they're about to explore. This sparks curiosity and anticipation, setting the stage for an engaging semester.
- Offer interactive video tours of the classroom environment
Give students the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the class layout, materials, and expectations to create a feeling of comfort in their new surroundings.
- Promote a team mentality among students
Collaboration features in the WeVideo platform allow students to get to know new faces by working together on group projects and improving teamwork fundamentals, which in turn, helps to build a strong sense of community with their peers and develop a team mentality in the classroom from day one.
WeVideo isn’t just an edtech platform; it's a partner that drives successful learning outcomes and enables teachers to take charge of their classrooms with confidence. The new school year is here and the time to introduce your classroom to WeVideo is now.