Video as an Educational Tool for Teaching and Learning for Primary School Students: A Research Approach by Greek Teachers

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the views of active teachers in primary schools on the benefits (potential/advantages), barriers (limitations/disadvantages) and selection criteria regarding the use of video as an educational tool in teaching and learning for primary school students. To fulfil this purpose, a qualitative research approach was chosen and the opinions of 15 active Greek teachers were recorded. Convenience sampling was applied for the selection of the sample. The research was implemented using an appropriately designed anonymous questionnaire in the form of a written paper, which included three main open-ended questions and was considered for the purposes of the research as an open-ended structured interview type questionnaire. The following conclusions emerged from the findings: a) The main advantages recorded by the teachers were the visualization and understanding of abstract concepts, the mobilization of students' attention, the option to pause and restart at any point, accessibility, openness, etc., b) The main barriers are that it takes a lot of time to find the appropriate video, the risk of low quality of the video, lack of knowledge and skills of instructors for pedagogical use of video, lack of technological equipment in schools, passive activity, etc., (c) The main criteria for selecting a video are the duration of the video, the connection with the profile and needs of the students, the possibility of accessibility for students with special needs, etc.