5 tips for using video CPD in higher education

The tutors at VIA Health in Denmark, began using video CPD because they lacked a concrete tool for developing and qualifying their own teaching. They were finding it hard to find the time in their busy days to watch each other lecture, but with the help of video CPD, they have been able to see their own teaching from multiple angles and share specific situations. Allowing them to step back and reflect on their own teaching in a completely new way.

"When I first saw the recording of my teaching, it was uncomfortable. But at the same time it was rewarding because I could spot things I will definitely do differently, and I see it now as an opportunity to strengthen my skills as a teacher,” says Hanne Høyer from the Nutrition and Health Education in VIA.

Professor of Professional Didactics Birgitte Lund Nielsen is one of two facilitators who set the course in motion. She shares her tips for using video CPD in higher education:

1. Choose one or more people to initiate and manage the process.

It will be their job to make sure that the model for the course makes sense to the teachers. They need to be the driving force and set a broad framework. For us, that was development and qualification of our own teaching.

2. Divide teachers into interdisciplinary teams across education areas

The aim is creating a common culture about teaching development, and ambassadors for the course and video CPD.

3. Get teachers to set their own individual goals

Get them to think about how their teaching/lecturing should be developed. By videoing their lessons, they can see if they have achieved their goals and set new ones.

4. Choose a video CPD tool that is easy and simple to use.

For us this was IRIS Connect. It’s hugely easy to upload videos, share between colleagues, and cut short "video clips". The analysis tools in the platform are also incredibly useful.

5. Share findings and experiences with colleagues.

Our tutors did this at meetings, where they not only benefitted from each other's expertise and feedback, but also inspired colleagues to get started and use the tool. We asked them to film their classes and then select clips that they shared with the team. At the meeting they then reflected together and gave each other feedback on the shared clips, as well as set new goals. Thus, growing an ongoing developmental process.

Do you have any tips to share? let us know in the comments below.