For years now video in education has been seen as the preserve of media and the more adventurous IT departments. However, with the arrival of digital video (DV) on the consumer market, plummeting costs of hardware, increased availability and the simplification of editing software, the stage is set for regular classroom use of this vibrant and exciting medium to enhance the learning process.

The first and most important point to stress is that using DV in the classroom is easy and probably the biggest motivational tool you will ever implement in any subject in the curriculum and beyond.

Training can be achieved with a minimum of effort. In fact, I have met teachers who have been able to master this tool in minutes of coming into contact with it. Purpose-built solutions, such as Apple’s range of computers, and the availability of cheap FireWire PCI cards for PCs, means there is no financial excuse for not giving DV a whirl.

I have been using DV in school for about two years, mainly with Apple’s iMovie software, and each time I use it with a class or teachers we find new ways of applying the technology to meet our needs.

Teachers can see the potential of DV instantly and come up with new and exciting ideas for all sorts of situations. Pupils are keen to try out new ways of using the tool. I’ve even come across those as young as seven years old showing me new ways of expressing themselves with DV.

To give an idea of the potential of the technology within education, I have looked at the possible uses it can be put to by both teachers and pupils.

DV offers teachers applications both in and out of the classroom, including:

* Content delivery - DV is an ideal tool for delivering content for pupils as it can be embedded in web pages for viewing at any time. Teachers can record field trips and investigations that are too expensive or dangerous to repeat and allow children to see them in school or at home. The ability to rewind video and freeze frame a portion for discussion should not be underrated.

* Recording important events - It is useful to record and publish important school events for parents and friends of the school unable to attend the event itself, as well as providing useful evidence for inspection.

* Assessment and evaluation - DV is an extraordinarily good tool for assessing pupils at work to monitor the way in which they interact, collaborate and participate. It is also a useful way for the teacher to evaluate the effectiveness of a lesson.

* Recording good practice - DV is an ideal way of disseminating good practice simply by filming teaching taking place and annotating it with text or voice-overs. This could then be published on a website such as the VTC.

For me, the real potential of DV comes to the fore when put in the hands of pupils. Their ideas and angle on a situation can be inspirational and refreshing. Here are some examples of the ways pupils can use DV:

* Presenting information - Pupils can present information in a familiar format such as a documentary, advertisement or news report using the full range of multimedia elements to give impressive results. This could be the presentation of the results from a field trip, investigation or research.

* Investigation - Pupils can use DV to investigate any time or motion-based event using DV’s ability to freeze frame, alter speed and record time accurately. DV records at 25 frames per second (in Europe) enabling pupils to accurately measure and record events that it would be impossible to evaluate without the technology.

* Expressing concepts - By pupils being able to express their understanding of concepts with DV they can enhance their own learning as well as help others to learn. This activity is an immensely powerful learning tool for pupils as they have to think through a process fully before committing themselves to film.

* Evaluating work - DV is a great tool for pupils to look at their own work, such as music, PE, drama or Damp;T, and to evaluate their work and share it with others.

* Performance - DV allows pupils to perform poems, stories or plays in a contemporary medium producing stunning results by using formats, techniques and effects previously only available to professional film makers.

* Creating a portfolio - Pupils can create a portable multimedia portfolio of their work using DV, which can be a great help in enhancing continuity and progression and as a builder of self esteem.

It is interesting to follow the development of DV in schools. As with desktop publishing, multimedia and Web publishing, adults began using the technology as a tool to record, assess and deliver material, whereas pupils have appropriated it to enhance their own creativity, expression and learning. Now educators must meet the challenge of setting innovative learning experiences for pupils using this technology.