Importance of Videos in Education and Science Communication
Several decades of research showed that there are many benefits of using videos in education. Indeed, there is a burgeoning body of evidence suggesting that technology can enhance learning, and multiple studies have shown that videos represent a very effective tool in education. In fact, videos are often the main information delivery mechanism, and represent an integrating part of traditional courses, and serve as keystones of many blended courses.
An extremely important factor is that educational videos combine a visual/pictorial channel and an auditory/verbal processing channel. The Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning suggests that when using both channels the acquisition and processing of information is maximised. This because the use of the two channels can facilitate the integration of new information into existing cognitive structures, enhancing learning.
In addition, the use of animations, graphs, diagrams and imagery in videos, helps to organizing the presented material into a coherent structure, engaging and helping the learner to integrate the presented material with existing knowledge, resulting in more “meaningful learning”.
Matching modality is the process of using both the audio/verbal channel and the visual/pictorial channel to convey new information. For instance, by showing an animation of a particular process on screen and combining it with the narration, elucidates the process more clearly, exposing the learner to a dual and complementary streams of information. Using both channels to convey appropriate and complementary information has been shown to increase students’ retention and engagement.
In any learning context and method, the attention of students’ drops off with time, thus, it is extremely important to keep the videos short. The complexity of the language used should be appropriate for the level of the learners, as this is engaging and encouraging for the students. The pace of speaking should not be too fast or too slow, as speaking too slow may affect negatively the student’s engagement, while speaking too fast can make it more difficult to follow and understand. An appropriate pace of narration appears to promote students interest.
It has been shown that teaching is very effective when the information is communicated like “story telling”, as this promotes students understanding and engagement with the lesson. Another extremely important factor of videos is that students can pose the lessons and watch it as many times as they need to. Moreover, students can learn at their own pace and in their own time, developing the learner autonomy.
It is important to highlight that videos are also an effective and essential science communication tool that is used by many businesses, research institutes and science centres. Indeed, videos facilitate understanding, interpretation and learning, and also increase the interest and engagement of the public.
Dr Luigi Vorluni creates videos that represent an effective learning and science communication resource. He creates videos and other learning resources for colleges, institutions, and businesses that are specifically designed for their needs, and offer the most effective learning experience.
For further information, please contact Dr Luigi Vorluni
Email: l.vorluni@gmail.com