Having students create a knowledge clip or video as a form of assessment allows you to assess students’ ability on their research skills and to communicate ideas clearly visually and attractively. Knowledge clips generally need to be short and powerful to hold attention, requiring students to focus mainly on the main line of argument or information they want to convey.
Videos in the form of knowledge clips that students create have much in common with creating, for example, a Poster. A poster presentation is a visual presentation (analogue or digital) that is used to present research results, concepts or data in a clear and attractive way and makes them easier to understand. Think of the results of a research project, a new theory or concept, the analysis of a case study or the evaluation of an existing policy or programme. But also, for example, informing about a particular topic, motivating or inspiring, convincing a point of view, sharing a personal experience, growth or reflection, or sharing future plans and ambitions.
Students can already create knowledge clips with standard Office tools such as PowerPoint. With the help of a professional studio, they can create even more professional videos where they themselves are fully featured as speakers. Make arrangements through onderwijswerkplaats@vu.nl if you would like to use this form in your teaching.
Students can also be given the assignment of making videos that go far beyond knowledge clips. Think of documentaries that involve real cinematic work. This does require a very good approach to the design of the educational module.
You can judge the quality of created videos on different aspects when testing them, such as:
- Content – Present students with correct and complete information on the topic.
- Structure – Is the video logically structured.
- Presentation skills – Is the video attractively designed. Is good use made of visuals?
- Communication skills – Is the video clear and convincing?
Want to know more?
- More engaged students? Let them make knowledge clips! – Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
- VU teacher Jos Akkermans on active blended learning – Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
- You can listen to a worked-out example, where students make a video prior to a weekly course theme, via this Dutch Podcast on active blended learning by lecturer Duco Bannink of the Faculty of Social Sciences. He talks about how students voluntarily make videos in groups to introduce the week’s theme.
See also: Poster presentation.
Tools: Pop-up studio, Kdenlive, Powerpoint.
VU Taxonomy?
Programme specific skills in applying knowledge and understandingOral communication
Written communication
What total group size?
More than one hundredBetween fifty and one hundred
Up to fifty
Up to twenty five
What activity group size?
IndividualSmall group (2-4 pers)