Educator and thought leader Jornea Armant joined me in our most recent webinar to explore how the SAVVY Framework can empower educators and learners across K–12 and higher education environments. The session focused on building a connected culture of learning with intentional use of video tools, especially ScreenPal’s all-in-one video platform.
🎤 Meet the speakers
I had the absolute joy of opening this session with energy, warmth, and a whole lot of gratitude. Joining me was my co-host—and now dear friend—Jornea Armant, whose background includes years of innovation at Microsoft Flip and a deep passion for building and supporting education communities. We first met in person at FETC, and it was one of those moments where you instantly know: this is someone I want to learn from and work with. That connection set the tone for everything this webinar aimed to offer.
Together, we designed this session around three core goals:
- Love: to foster meaningful connections between educators and their learning communities
- Grow: to equip attendees with knowledge, tools, and strategies they can use immediately
- Inspire: to empower educators to innovate with confidence and purpose
From the very first chat message to the final reflection, this session was all about connection, collaboration, and creating a culture of support through video.
🧠What is the SAVVY framework?
Jornea shared her SAVVY acronym as a strategic lens for designing meaningful learning experiences with video:
- Scaffold learning with interactive videos
- Amplify student voices
- Visualize feedback for growth
- Value collaboration through group projects
- Yield insights with analytics
🪜 Scaffold learning with interactive videos
Interactive videos allow students to engage at their own pace to ensure comprehension. Keep reading for some examples Jornea discussed during the webinar.
Flipping your classroom allows students to learn core content on their own time, making room for deeper, hands-on learning during class. With this model, you can create instructional videos for students to watch beforehand, so class time can focus on application, collaboration, and problem-solving. In a K–12 setting, for example, students might watch a math tutorial at home and come to class ready to work through problems together. In higher education, medical students might review anatomy videos in advance, arriving prepared to engage in labs or discussions with a stronger foundational understanding.
Creating think-aloud videos helps model how to approach tasks, allowing students to follow your thought process in real time. Jornea shared that she often used this strategy as a second-grade teacher to give her students a window into how thinking happens. By narrating your reasoning—asking questions, circling back, or even making mistakes—you show students that learning isn’t always linear. It’s a powerful way to demonstrate how to work through challenges, helping students see that struggle is a natural part of learning and that they’re capable of navigating it.
Using ScreenPal to create accessible content ensures that all learners are supported through features like captions, transcripts, translations, and annotations—whether you’re recording new content or uploading existing videos. These tools make learning more inclusive, especially for students with diverse needs or learning challenges. Accessibility isn’t just about meeting requirements—it’s about showing that every learner is valued. As we discussed in the webinar, one powerful way to make all students feel seen and supported is by providing tools like captions, which benefit not only those who need them, but everyone.
Differentiating video lessons allows you to tailor instruction to meet students’ diverse needs and learning styles. This approach supports a culture of learning by honoring different paces and preferences, giving each student a better chance at understanding. It also fosters a culture of support by offering personalized content that’s aligned with individual strengths and challenges.
Generating interactive quizzes with skip prevention keeps students actively engaged and ensures they watch and understand the content. By embedding questions directly within instructional videos, you can check for understanding in real time. This approach reinforces learning immediately and provides the kind of instant feedback students need to stay motivated. It also helps build confidence by identifying areas of strength and growth. If a student encounters a question they’re unsure about, they can simply rewatch that section of the video—giving them the opportunity to review, reflect, and gain a better grasp of the concept.
Video anchor charts visually reinforce key concepts with the added clarity of narration and animation. As a former teacher, I loved creating anchor charts in the classroom—but I always wished students could take them home. With technology, now they can. By digitizing anchor charts and turning them into videos—sometimes even with students narrating in their own voices—we create powerful, portable study tools. This not only extends learning beyond the classroom, but also gives students ownership of the content and another way to connect with the material wherever they are.
“I raise up my voice, not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.” – Malala Yousafzai
Another of Jornea’s SAVVY framework is amplifying student voices—something that’s truly close to her heart. When you give students the opportunity to share their thoughts, ideas, and stories, it builds confidence, fosters creativity, and promotes ownership of learning. And that’s really the heart of it. When something matters to us, we pour our heart and soul into it. When students feel ownership, they rise. They soar. So here are some practical ways you can bring this idea to life in your classroom.
One great strategy is incorporating video reflections. Encourage your students to record short videos where they reflect on their learning. As we know, we learn best by thinking about our own learning—and video reflections promote that metacognition. They help students analyze and articulate their experiences while also supporting language development. It’s a simple practice with powerful benefits, building deeper understanding and stronger communication skills.
Another great strategy is classroom podcasting. Many educators already love it, and for good reason—it engages students in fun, meaningful ways while building skills in research, critical thinking, collaboration, and content creation. What makes podcasting especially powerful is its connection to authentic audience. When students know their work will be shared beyond the classroom, they take greater ownership and pride in what they create. Whether you’re using Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, an LTI integration, or a parent communication app, there are so many ways to share student podcasts and videos. This not only boosts motivation and encourages high-quality work, but also opens the door for constructive feedback from peers, teachers, and even voices outside the classroom.
Now let’s talk about digital storytelling, one of Jornea’s absolute favorite areas. It gives students the opportunity to create personal narratives or express their understanding of a topic in their own unique, creative way. When we combine creativity and technology, the possibilities truly become limitless. You’d be surprised how many students can articulate their ideas more clearly and authentically through video than through writing or traditional assessments. One great way to start is by having students create a short video about their family heritage using photos and narration. It’s a low-pressure introduction to ScreenPal because it’s not about academic content—it’s about something personal and meaningful. I’d love to see your students’ stories—if you try this, be sure to tag @ScreenPal and @SavvyEducator on social media!
Another great idea is incorporating student-led news segments. Whether it’s a school-wide broadcast or a smaller classroom project, this is a powerful way for students to share current events happening in their classroom, school, or local community. It not only amplifies their voices but also helps build essential media literacy skills, as students learn to research, report, and present information in meaningful ways.
Another powerful idea is incorporating a cultural exchange activity, where students partner with classrooms around the world to create and share videos about their cultures. This broadens their perspectives and helps them discover that while we may live on opposite sides of the globe, we often share more similarities than we realize. It’s a meaningful way to promote empathy and build connections across diverse backgrounds—skills that are essential not only in school, but also in the workplace and beyond. Whether you’re in an elementary classroom setting up a virtual exchange or in higher education connecting language students with international peers, this is a valuable and enriching learning experience.
When it comes to amplifying student voices, one powerful way to do this is by empowering students to create and share their own video projects. Whether they record directly or upload existing videos to ScreenPal, this process fosters creativity, builds confidence, and encourages a strong sense of ownership in their learning.
🌱 Visualize feedback for growth
In the business world—and in education—strategy and feedback go hand in hand. That’s why the next “V” in the SAVVY framework stands for Visualized Feedback for Growth. Providing clear, visual feedback helps students recognize both their strengths and areas for improvement, supporting a growth mindset and more meaningful progress.
Let’s start with video feedback—one of Jornea’s favorite strategies. Jornea loves that we’re no longer limited to just text-based responses; with tools like ScreenPal, we can provide personalized, visual feedback that truly resonates. This is especially powerful during portfolio reviews or capstone projects, as students benefit from seeing and hearing specific feedback on their work. It not only makes the guidance clearer, but also more encouraging. After all, when someone takes the time to send you a video, you know they care—and that sense of connection can go a long way in fostering growth. This is a simple but meaningful practice you can start implementing right away.
Another strategy Jornea loves is focusing on misconceptions. She often shares that telling students what something is not can help them remember it even more effectively than simply explaining what it is. One of her favorite approaches is called “My Favorite No.” These are short video tutorials that address common errors or misunderstandings. It’s a fun and reflective way for students to engage—asking, “What was the mistake? Why did so many of us make it? Let’s create a video to explain it!” In today’s TikTok-inspired culture, students can bring plenty of creativity to these videos, transforming misconceptions into memorable learning opportunities.
Jornea also highlighted the power of video portfolios, especially at this time of year. She loves how they allow students to showcase their progress over time, reinforcing the idea that learning is a journey—not a one-time event. Video portfolios help students reflect on where they started, what they’ve accomplished, and how their efforts have impacted their growth. With tools like ScreenPal’s storyboard feature, students can upload and organize videos across the school year to tell their learning story. It’s a meaningful way for students, families, and advocates to see and celebrate growth, while also honoring each learner’s unique strengths and talents.
When it comes to peer feedback, Jornea emphasized how powerful it can be in fostering both collaboration and critical thinking. She noted that many educators already use feedback protocols in their classrooms, and those can easily be adapted to video-based feedback. With tools that allow students to timestamp their comments, peers can offer targeted, meaningful insights rather than vague praise like “I liked your writing.” Jornea encourages teachers to help students be specific and constructive in their feedback—highlighting what’s working well and offering ideas for growth. This approach helps students identify what to improve, recognize their strengths, and apply feedback across future projects.
Jornea also emphasized the value of interactive stopping points within video quizzes. She shared that chunking has always been one of her favorite and most effective strategies for supporting comprehension. Rather than expecting students to absorb large amounts of information all at once, chunking encourages them to pause, reflect, and ask: What does this mean? What doesn’t it mean? How does this connect to what I already know? By building in these moments of reflection, we help students develop the habit of breaking content into manageable parts—an essential skill for deeper learning. Jornea noted that this strategy benefits all learners, giving them the time and space to process, because meaningful learning can’t—and shouldn’t—be rushed.
Jornea also highlighted the importance of self-reflection as a tool for personal growth. She emphasized that it’s not about comparing students to their peers, but about helping them evaluate their own learning and progress toward their individual goals. Self-reflection builds confidence by encouraging students to recognize where they started, identify what they’ve achieved, and set actionable, meaningful goals for continued growth. For example, in a K–12 setting, students might reflect on what they’ve learned after completing a project. In higher education, student teachers or nursing students might reflect on their clinical experiences to evaluate and improve their practice. Jornea also connected this idea to professional growth, sharing how educators often engage in learning walks or instructional rounds to reflect and refine their instruction. Self-reflection is a powerful practice at every level, and as part of Visualizing Feedback for Growth, Jornea encouraged educators to prioritize personalized video feedback that supports learners in tracking and celebrating their progress.
When Jornea discovered that ScreenPal has a Chrome extension that allows you to leave video feedback anytime, anywhere, she was beyond excited. She was extremely excited to showcase this feature, especially because of how easy and versatile it is. Whether composing an email or commenting in a Google Doc, the ScreenPal icon automatically appears wherever you can type. With just one click, you can record a video, and the link with a thumbnail is instantly embedded in your message—perfect for quick, personalized feedback.
I demonstrated how this tool works in real time. Once you hit record, you can even add fun effects—like balloons, fireworks, or the classic ScreenPal hearts—to make your message more engaging and encouraging. It’s ideal for sending positive notes to students or repeating common instructions, such as how to navigate Canvas, PowerSchool, or Microsoft Teams. If you find yourself sharing the same information frequently, the extension lets you reuse video links or paste them into emails with ease.
Another benefit? Every video is automatically uploaded to your ScreenPal.com account, making it easy to manage and share your content. From your account dashboard, you can copy the video link, grab an embed code, or post directly into your learning management system. And since captions and translations are just a click away, I also showcased how you can add AI-generated captions and instantly translate them into over 150 languages—making your video content even more inclusive. I even shared a demo video during the session so attendees could explore the feature firsthand. For me, this tool represents the kind of efficiency, accessibility, and joy that makes video feedback truly transformative.
đź’¬ Value collaboration through group projects
When Jornea talks about the importance of collaboration, she emphasizes that it’s about more than just working together—it’s about building teamwork, communication skills, and shared accountability. She often points out that students are sometimes more motivated to show up for others than for themselves, and collaborative learning taps into that mindset. It also gives students the opportunity to learn from each other’s perspectives and ideas, enriching the experience for everyone involved. Here are a few practical ways to put collaboration into action in your own classroom.
One collaborative strategy Jornea highlighted is assigning research projects. These types of projects not only promote critical thinking, inquiry, and deeper subject understanding, but also provide a structured framework for both independent and collaborative exploration. Jornea emphasized that this mirrors real-world tasks—after all, in nearly every job, we’re constantly learning about something, planning, and putting ideas into action. She believes this is a skill set students can begin developing as early as preschool, setting the foundation for future academic and career success.
Jornea also emphasized the power of peer reviews in promoting self-assessment and critical analysis. When students evaluate each other’s work, they’re not only practicing how to give constructive feedback, but they’re also engaging in meaningful collaboration that leads to mutual improvement. Jornea pointed out that in order to give thoughtful feedback, students must reflect on their own understanding—so they’re not just learning from their peers, they’re also deepening their own learning in the process.
Jornea also highlighted the value of brainstorming sessions, noting how energizing it is to collaborate with someone—just like she and I did while planning this webinar. Brainstorming sparks creativity and allows students to generate diverse ideas in a collaborative space. Jornea emphasized that these moments are especially powerful for students who may question whether they belong in a learning environment. By encouraging participation and valuing each student’s contributions, brainstorming fosters confidence, inclusion, and a true sense of belonging within a team setting.
Jornea also shared her enthusiasm for student-led tutorials, noting how powerful it is when students step into the role of teacher. She often compares this concept to what we see on TikTok—so many videos are created with a clear purpose: to teach or share information. Jornea encourages educators to take concepts students have learned in subjects like language arts, such as identifying an author’s purpose, and apply them to video. By having students create tutorials, they not only demonstrate their understanding but also develop communication skills and confidence as they teach others.
Jornea also emphasized the importance of virtual work groups, especially for high school and higher education students. She noted that these collaborative settings help students develop essential communication and teamwork skills they’ll need in the modern workforce. In many higher ed programs—such as business schools—students are increasingly working in virtual teams rather than face-to-face. Drawing from her own experience at Microsoft, where all collaboration was virtual, Jornea pointed out that these opportunities prepare students for real-world professional environments, where team members may not always share the same physical space but must still work effectively together.
Jornea concluded by sharing her enthusiasm for alumni and mentor connections, emphasizing the importance of students having someone who can support, guide, and encourage them. She noted that mentors provide students with real-world applications of knowledge, insights into career paths, and a broader perspective on their personal and professional growth. For those working with students in career and technical education—or any student pursuing a particular interest—these connections are invaluable. While mentors may not always be physically present on campus, Jornea pointed out that they can still play an active role by logging into ScreenPal and leaving video comments on student work. She encouraged educators to invite their own collaborators to use ScreenPal as a tool for mentoring and support. This approach not only fosters teamwork but empowers students to co-create and exchange feedback in meaningful, authentic ways.
As I demonstrated earlier in the webinar, the Chrome extension makes it easy to leave feedback from anywhere. Jornea added that even within the ScreenPal platform, users have multiple ways to engage—whether it’s sharing their screen, using their camera, combining both, or simply adding a text comment. She emphasized that the possibilities are truly limitless, giving educators and collaborators the flexibility to communicate in whatever way is most effective for their learners.
đź“Š Yield insights with analytics
Jornea introduced the final component of the SAVVY framework: Yielding insights with analytics. She emphasized the importance of using data to inform and improve instruction. Analytics provide actionable insights into student engagement, allowing educators to tailor their teaching to better meet learners’ needs and improve outcomes. Jornea reminded the audience that the goal isn’t to use tools just for the sake of using them, but to learn from the data and take meaningful action. She then shared a few practical ways educators can begin applying this approach in their own practice.
Jornea began by highlighting the value of reviewing most-watched videos as a key analytic tool. She drew a parallel to social media, where high view counts typically indicate content that resonates. In the classroom, the same concept applies—videos that are frequently watched likely contain material that is especially engaging, challenging, or meaningful to students. This insight can help educators create similar, high-impact content moving forward. For example, Jornea noted that if students respond positively to a video that includes humor—like a joke tied to a lesson on ecosystems—it might be worth incorporating that same tone into future videos.
She also explained how most-watched video data can help identify learning gaps. If a video on fractions consistently has high view counts, it might signal that students are struggling with the concept and returning to the content for clarity. Jornea reflected on her own experience working with second through fifth graders, where fractions were frequently a challenge. By pairing view data with results from interactive quizzes, educators gain deeper insight into what students understand and where they need more support. This allows for targeted interventions, reinforcing the importance of using analytics not just to observe, but to respond with purpose and precision.
Jornea also discussed the importance of tracking engagement and readiness, noting that students aren’t always fully prepared to learn when they arrive in the classroom. By using data to assess where students are before instruction begins, educators can take a more proactive approach, especially for those who may be disengaged on a regular basis.
She shared an example where teachers might monitor which students consistently complete homework and participate in class discussions, compared to those who don’t. This information creates an opportunity for personalized, compassionate outreach—something as simple as saying, “I noticed you haven’t been completing your homework or engaging with the videos. Is there anything I can do to support you?” Jornea emphasized that the goal is to use this data as a tool for care and connection, not punishment—creating a supportive environment where every student feels seen and valued.
Jornea also highlighted how analytics can help identify learning gaps, revealing areas where students may lack understanding. This insight allows educators to apply targeted strategies that support deeper learning and help bridge those knowledge gaps—ensuring that no student is left behind.
She also spoke to the value of incorporating peer reviews as a form of assessment. Jornea emphasized that peer reviews are powerful because they support multiple layers of learning at once: while one student is providing feedback, they’re also engaging in critical thinking and reflection, reinforcing their own understanding in the process.
Jornea also noted that peer reviews give educators valuable insight into how students provide critical feedback. It’s an opportunity to assess not just academic understanding, but also collaborative thinking, communication skills, and peer engagement. She pointed out that some students who may struggle with traditional assessments might excel in giving thoughtful, constructive feedback—revealing that they understand the material but may have difficulty applying it independently. This kind of observation allows educators to reflect on their teaching approaches and better support individual learning needs. Finally, Jornea emphasized that these insights can also serve as a foundation for ongoing research and instructional improvement.
Jornea explained that analytics also facilitate data-driven insights that can be used to refine research approaches and methodologies. They provide both educators and students with the resources and guidance needed for effective research development. For those in master’s or PhD-level programs, where everything centers around research, these tools become especially valuable.
She emphasized that educators can use these insights in a variety of contexts—whether it’s measuring the impact of a new instructional strategy in a sixth-grade classroom or conducting research on family engagement at the district level based on video interactions. With ScreenPal analytics, this kind of data is readily accessible and easy to use.
Jornea also highlighted her appreciation for ScreenPal’s interactive features, such as quizzes and polls, which not only engage students but also provide meaningful data to inform instruction and support research efforts.
🙌 Concluding remarks and next steps
As the session came to a close, Jornea invited participants to reflect by asking, “What’s one idea that stuck with you—something you’re excited to try this week or this month?” She encouraged attendees to take action, reminding them that “success loves speed” and even small steps forward can make a big impact.
Jornea emphasized that educators have access to a wealth of resources and a supportive community ready to help. “We are the culture that we create,” she shared, highlighting the importance of building intentional, student-centered learning environments.
For those looking to explore further, she recommended visiting ScreenPal.com, where educators can find tutorials, tips, and tools. But above all, Jornea encouraged everyone to dive in and experiment—assuring them that there’s nothing to break and plenty to discover.
To stay connected, she invited attendees to follow her at @SavvyEducator and access additional resources at bit.ly/SavvyScreenPal.
đź’ˇ Missed the webinar? Watch the full replay and explore more professional development opportunities at screenpal.com/webinars.
