Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Asynchronous Videos for Distance Based Instruction - part 1: Advantages and Considerations


In today's tech-friendly world, we have access to a wide range of media tools that can be used to enhance distance based instruction. "From interactive presentations to visually stunning images, eLearning professionals have the power to create eLearning resources that are not only beautiful, but also highly engaging for the learner" (Pappas, 2014). Multi-media resources can be used to draw in learners without taking away the value of the core content of the course. One such resource is asynchronous video. Asynchronous means that the learners can view the video independently at a time of their own choosing.

Asynchronous Video has many advantages:

  • Caters to a wide variety of learning needs
  • Can be used to convey any type of subject matter
  • Transfers knowledge in an appealing and engaging way
  • Does not require a set time or place to view 
  • Can be viewed by learners over and over
  • Can be re-used each semester 
  • Improves memory retention
  • Provides real-world application by showing rather than telling
  • Connects instructor to student
  • Immerses the viewer with the content

Before you sit down to record your video there are a few things you should consider:

  1. Videos should contain small chunks of information that emphasize key points. Shorter videos have the potential to be easily absorbed and more memorable than reading a text. Whereas long videos often lead to cognitive overload due to the sudden influx of ideas and concepts (Pappas, 2013).
  2. Videos are more effective when they demonstrate something. Think about immersive scenarios or case studies with a real-world application that demonstrate skills in action. For example, a screen capture as the instructor works a problem by applying a formula.
  3.  Images help learners retain information more effectively, and the addition of audio allows them to make an emotional connection with the content. For this reason, images should be carefully chosen and not just used for decorative purposes.
  4. Planning is fundamental to creating a quality video. The better prepared you are, the easier it will be to record the video. Drafting a storyboard for the video and/or writing a script will help you focus in on what you want to cover.
  5. The video should align with the course learning objectives and it should be clear to the learner why the video is being used in the course. 
  6. Videos should be accessible for all types of learners. The audio content should have closed captions available. 
References:
Pappas, C. (2013, September 12). 10 Tips to Effectively Use Videos in eLearning. eLearning Industry.com

Pappas, C. (2014, May 5). 7 Tips to Choose Multimedia for Your eLearning Course. eLearning Industry.com