Related Experiment Videos
Added value of video compared to audio lectures for distance learning
1Cyrus Medical Systems, 5892 Lake Cyrus Drive, Hoover AL 35244, USA. eberner@uab.edu
International Journal of Medical Informatics
|April 6, 2004
Summary
Adding video to asynchronous health informatics courses does not improve student learning or satisfaction. This study suggests that video lectures may not be worth the extra cost and effort compared to audio-only presentations.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Educational Technology
- Distance Learning
Background:
- Asynchronous distance learning in health informatics is growing.
- Research on best practices for asynchronous learning technologies is limited.
- The value of instructor video versus audio-only presentations is largely unstudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of video versus audio-only presentations in asynchronous health informatics education.
- To evaluate student satisfaction and learning outcomes between the two formats.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial was conducted.
- Two groups of students received the same slide presentation.
- One group viewed a video of the instructor; the other heard audio only.
Main Results:
- Adding video to audio presentations did not significantly increase student satisfaction.
- Learning outcomes were not improved by the addition of video.
- Student reception to video presentations was not uniformly positive.
Conclusions:
- Streaming video in asynchronous health informatics education may not enhance learning or satisfaction.
- The added expense and effort of video production may not be justified.
- Further research into effective asynchronous learning technologies is warranted.