Learn like a YouTuber with ScreenPal: key takeaways

In our latest ScreenPal webinar, Ditch That Textbook’s Matt Miller, a well-known educator and digital learning expert, shared his insights on how to “Learn Like a YouTuber with ScreenPal.” Hosted by our community engagement team, the session was filled with practical tips on how to create engaging, accessible, and educational content using the latest tools, including ScreenPal’s powerful AI features. Here’s a deeper dive into the key takeaways.

Embrace the YouTuber mindset

Matt begins the webinar by introducing the idea that YouTube is a microcosm of what is popular. We all consume YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok videos, as do our students. As a student, if your teacher created videos that made learning feel like a similar experience, you would automatically be more engaged. What can we learn from YouTube to make our video activities more engaging? The answer is to let popular genres of video be your guide.

Audience plays a role in embracing the YouTuber mindset. Many student-created videos are crafted with an audience of one (the teacher) in mind. By broadening the audience, and emulating YouTube creators’ video style, we more thoroughly engage our students through video consumption and creation.

Quick and easy recording for students

With ScreenPal, recording and sharing videos is a breeze. The ScreenPal Chrome Extension allows for quick and easy recording directly in your browser, making it simple to record, upload to Google Drive, and submit through your LMS. For those working on a desktop or laptop, the ScreenPal desktop app offers a seamless experience. Additionally, you can create a Channel for specific assignments and enable the ‘add recording’ button, giving students the ability to contribute their own videos. Now that the technical setup is sorted, the big question remains: what types of videos should we record?

What’s the lens we can see this activity through?

“Instead of just having your students do a head-and-shoulders webcam video, ask yourself, what’s the lens we can see this through?… How could we record this as if we were that person? Could we record this as if we were someplace else? Could we record this as if we were in a different time?”- Matt Miller

During the webinar, Matt described four examples of this concept. Have students record a video:

as if they were a news anchor reporting on the day’s news.
as if they were the on-the-scene news reporter.
as if they were in a horror movie, Blair Witch style.
as if they were in a reality game show.

He also shared a plethora of additional lenses that students can create videos through, pictured below.

A deeper dive: unboxing videos

An unboxing video is a popular type of content where the creator showcases the process of opening a newly purchased product for the first time. The video typically starts with the package as it arrives, with the presenter highlighting details like the packaging design, logos, and branding. As the unboxing unfolds, the creator provides a step-by-step reveal of what’s inside, often offering commentary on the product’s features, design, and initial impressions. These videos are commonly used to give viewers a firsthand look at a product’s quality, contents, and packaging experience, creating excitement and anticipation for potential buyers.

Now that we’ve explained what an unboxing video is, how can we incorporate it into a learning activity?

Have students record videos as if they were YouTubers unboxing a:

Box all about me for the beginning of the year (SEL)
Box from the past or a box from the future (SEL)
Box from a historical figure (Social studies)
Box from a book character (ELA)
Box representing a biome (Science)
Box with fitness supplies (PE)
Box of related problem sets (Math)

Check out the image below for even more ideas!

Creating an engaging learning experience with an unboxing video

Unboxing videos are not only entertaining, but they can also be turned into meaningful learning activities. By involving students in both the creation and observation of these videos, educators can foster critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills. Let’s dive into the key components of a successful unboxing video and how they can be used as an educational tool.

First, consider the audience: who will be watching the video? Are they fellow students, potential customers, or someone learning about the item for the first time? Understanding the audience helps shape the tone and information provided in the video.

Next is the recipient: who is receiving the box and why? This could be a student in a classroom activity, a customer who ordered a product, or someone receiving a gift. Defining the recipient provides context for the unboxing, making the experience more relatable to viewers.

Then there’s the sender: who is sending the box, and what is their purpose? Whether it’s a company delivering a product or a teacher sending a project kit, understanding the sender’s intentions adds depth to the narrative.

The setting also plays a role in shaping the video. Where and when is the box being opened? Whether it’s in a classroom, at home, or during a virtual meeting, the location and time frame can influence how the unboxing is experienced and perceived by viewers.

Let’s not forget the box itself: What does it look like? Is there special branding, colors, or a message on the box that gives clues about the sender or the contents? Packaging details add anticipation and excitement as viewers wait for the reveal.

Finally, the contents of the box hold the most significance. What items are inside, and do they come with a note or special instructions? The items could be tools for a project, educational materials, or even a surprise gift. The contents and any accompanying messages can spark curiosity, highlight key learning points, or convey an emotional connection.

To help students plan their unboxing videos effectively, Matt shared a graphic organizer that serves as a valuable tool for structuring their content. This organizer guides students through each step of the video creation process, by putting pictures representing their items in the blank boxes and filling their descriptions in through text. By using this graphic organizer, students can thoughtfully design their videos and develop their storytelling and presentation skills in a structured, creative way.

Once students have completed their graphic organizer for planning, they can move on to the recording phase using any of the ScreenPal tools available across various devices. Whether they’re working with the iOS app, Android app, Chromebook app, Chrome extension, or the desktop application, students have a range of options to create and edit their unboxing videos seamlessly. These tools provide an easy way for students to capture high-quality videos, incorporate their planned elements, and fine-tune their recordings with editing features. With such versatile platforms, students can choose the one that best fits their device and workflow, ensuring a smooth transition from planning to production.

Incorporating Top 10 List videos into learning activities

In addition to unboxing videos, Matt suggests having students create “Top 5” or even “Top 3” videos, as these shorter lists can be more manageable and engaging than traditional “Top 10” formats.

When planning these videos, students should first focus on the topic: What is the subject of their list? Whether it’s the top five scientific discoveries, favorite historical figures, or best books in a genre, the topic should align with the curriculum and come from subjects the students have studied.

Once the topic is defined, students should establish criteria for what makes it onto their list. How will they select and rank their choices? Are they basing it on impact, relevance, personal interest, or another set of factors? Defining these criteria helps create a logical flow and ensures their rankings make sense.

Next come the selections: what are the final items on the list? Students should carefully choose and defend why their picks made the cut, giving each selection proper attention and context within the video.

To make the video engaging from the start, the student should craft a strong introduction that sets the stage for the viewer. Why is this an important topic? What context does the viewer need to understand before the list is revealed? This introduction should grab the audience’s attention and offer a glimpse into what makes the topic significant, ensuring the viewer is fully invested in seeing the list unfold. By incorporating these elements, students not only create engaging video content but also practice organization, critical thinking, and communication skills.

As the student presents each selection, they should offer a justification. Why did this item make the list? Why is it ranked higher or lower than the others? This rationale is crucial in showing the student’s thought process and critical thinking skills. Additionally, the student can mention any **missing selections**—items that didn’t make the cut and why they were excluded.

Throughout the video, students can incorporate visuals such as props, images, or video clips to make their selections more tangible and engaging. Finally, students should think about what will make their video special. Will they use humor, creativity, or visuals to captivate their audience? Encouraging students to add their personal touch will make the video stand out and keep the viewer entertained from start to finish.

To help students effectively plan their Top 10 (or Top 5/Top 3) videos, Matt shared a graphic organizer designed to guide them through each step of the process. This organizer encourages students to clearly define their topic and brainstorm potential list items, while also helping them establish the criteria they will use to select and rank their final choices. By using this tool, students can map out their ideas in an organized way, helping them stay focused and structured while producing their video content.

Once students have completed their graphic organizer for planning their Top 10 video, they can begin recording using any of the ScreenPal tools available for various devices. Whether they’re using the iOS app, Android app, Chromebook app, Chrome extension, or desktop application, ScreenPal provides a range of flexible options for recording and editing their content. These tools allow students to capture their Top 10 lists with ease, ensuring they can highlight their selections and provide commentary in a professional, polished video. With built-in editing features, students can refine their videos by adding transitions, text, or music, making their Top 10 lists even more engaging. By choosing the platform that works best for them, students can smoothly transition from planning to creating high-quality videos that showcase their creativity and thought process.

Lightning round of additional video ideas

Product review videos can be an excellent way for students to engage with academic topics by reviewing something related to their studies, such as elements on the periodic table, mathematical concepts, historical innovations, or even the plans of literary characters. In these videos, students first identify the subject they will review, providing an overview of its key aspects. They then share both the pros and cons, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the item or concept. Students are encouraged to insert their own opinion, explaining why they believe certain aspects could be improved or why certain elements are particularly effective or valuable. The video concludes with an overall assessment, where students summarize their findings and deliver a final opinion based on everything they discussed. This format not only enhances understanding of the subject matter but also helps students develop critical thinking and communication skills.

Makeup tutorials are a great model for student-created tutorial videos, where students can demonstrate a skill or process they’ve learned, such as solving a math problem, conducting a science experiment, or coding in a computer science class. Depending on the subject, some tutorials are more suited for traditional camera videos, where the student can physically demonstrate a skill, like in P.E. or science labs. Others work better as screencast videos, particularly for subjects like coding or digital art, where showing the computer screen is essential. To ensure clarity, students should narrate their actions, explaining what they’re doing and thinking throughout the process. Additionally, they should make sure the camera or screencast clearly captures what they’re working on, making the tutorial easy to follow and effective for their audience. These videos help students practice both their technical skills and their ability to teach others.

On-the-street interview videos provide a dynamic way for students to explore different topics by simulating real-world interviews. First, students decide who the interviewer will be—this could be themselves or a student playing the role of a historical figure, literary character, or other relevant persona. Next, they choose who will be interviewed—whether it’s fellow students or classmates playing fictional or historical characters. The type of questions asked can vary, from posing a single question to multiple people to conducting more in-depth interviews. For example, an on-the-street interview about the Black Death might feature questions about people’s fear of contracting the disease, who they know that’s been infected, and what information they’ve been given (or lack thereof). This format encourages students to think critically about perspectives from different time periods or contexts, bringing historical events, literary themes, or scientific discoveries to life in an engaging and interactive way.

Tour videos offer a creative way for students to explore new locations, whether on a field trip or through imaginative staging. Students can emulate great travel vloggers by shooting videos during their real-world visits, providing engaging commentary and insights as they explore. If visiting a location isn’t possible, students can get creative by staging a room or area to look like the desired setting. Green screen technology can enhance this by allowing students to superimpose images or videos as backgrounds, transforming an ordinary classroom into an exciting and immersive experience. Alternatively, students can take virtual walking tours using Google Maps Street View or Google Earth, selecting and exploring different locations online. With tools like ScreenPal, they can record their virtual tours and narrate their journey, creating a dynamic and educational tour video without ever leaving their school.

Conclusion: Become a learning creator

The “Learn Like a YouTuber” webinar was a reminder that educators can take a page from the YouTuber playbook to create more engaging, accessible, and community-driven content. By embracing creativity, leveraging tools like ScreenPal’s AI features, and building strong community ties, anyone can elevate their educational content to new heights.

If you’re ready to transform the way you teach or create, ScreenPal’s suite of tools is here to help. Sign up for free today, and see how you can make your content more dynamic, accessible, and impactful.

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