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Using Bite-Sized Video to Prepare Students and Reclaim Class Time

Ellen Ovenden, MSc | Aug 10, 2026
Ellen Ovenden, MSc | Aug 10 2026

Pre-class video only saves time if it fits the students, the lesson, and the amount of preparation you can realistically assign.

Professor Joseph Husband of Florida State College at Jacksonville found JoVE videos especially useful in his non-majors course because they came in “bite-sized chunks,” used simple language, and were the right length and level of complexity for his students.

Effective pre-class review frees up in-person class time. As you finalize your fall syllabus, the following questions can help you select the content best suited to pre-class assignment for your course.

Choosing What to Assign Before Class
  • ▪️ Is it short enough to assign realistically?A focused chapter playlist can cover foundational material in manageable pieces without adding a heavy pre-class workload. Shorter videos also make it easier for students to revisit a specific concept later.
  • ▪️ Is the level right for this group of students?The goal is to give students enough foundation to enter the lesson ready to engage, without overloading them with detail they will not yet use. In non-majors courses, that often means prioritizing the concepts that support the next discussion, problem, or activity.
  • ▪️ Does it add something useful before class?Pre-class video should prepare students for work that is better done with you in the room. Use the playlist for foundational explanation, then reserve class time for interpretation, application, discussion, or more difficult problem-solving.
  • ▪️ Can you see what needs attention in class?A short quiz paired with the playlist can reinforce key concepts and show where students may need more support. JoVE quizzes are auto-graded, and analytics can help faculty decide what to revisit. Playlists and quizzes can also be assigned through the LMS and connected with existing course workflows.
  • Core Pathophysiology – Diabetes Insipidus-1
  • JoVE Core Bio – Bacterial Transformation
  • Core Pathophysiology – Secondary Spinal Cord Injury II-1

Use Pre-Class Time Deliberately

The strongest pre-class material has a clear purpose. It gives students enough background to take part in the next lesson without asking them to complete another lecture before arriving.

As you review your syllabus, look at the foundational explanations that take up class time each semester. A well-matched video playlist can move some of that preparation earlier while keeping the in-person session focused on the work that benefits most from your time and expertise.

Discover video resources that fit the lessons already on your syllabus.

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