European Journal of Education Studies: Shoukot Ali
European Journal of Education Studies: Shoukot Ali
European Journal of Education Studies: Shoukot Ali
Shoukot Alii
Lecturer,
Daffodil International University,
Bangladesh
Abstract:
The study sought to analyse the effects of educational videos on university students’
academic activities and performance. This research is useful for educators and video
makers who utilize and/ or make free or commercial videos for educational purposes.
The research was based on the quantitative method and data had been collected
through a sample survey. The semi-structured questionnaire was utilized and 342
responses were retrieved. The study revealed that watching educational videos affected
the academic activities and performance of the respondents positively. The majority of
the respondents used mobile phones and laptops to watch videos. The study further
confirmed that most of the respondents preferred short length videos and animated
educational videos.
1. Introduction
Educational videos are now widely available thanks to cheap internet and video content
creators. In the 1980s, videos started to enter the teaching world. Development of
information and communication technology (ICT) has made a good resource with huge
possibilities (Nagy & Bernschütz, 2015). Moreover, with the rapid advancement of
computer and software technology, the opportunity to produce, change and share
videos have increased in university level (Kay and Kletskin, 2012). Many researchers
have already confirmed the effectiveness of video in education, focusing its usefulness
as a training instrument (Rajadell & Garriga-Garzón, 2017). People can find topics
ranging from mathematics to politics. Video learning is changing the world education
system (Vander Ark, 2012).
In the last ten years, due to the invention of social media, people can easily share
feelings, information, ideas, images, and videos and it has changed the online world
rapidly (Oberst, 2010). YouTube, established in 2005, is the most popular internet video
sharing website (Cheng, Dale, & Liu, 2008). In recent years, massive open online courses
also known as MOOCs (Coursera, EdX, Udacity, Udemy) have become eminent trends
in higher education. Video-based instructional contents are freely available in these
online educational platforms (Baturay, 2015). For online education, videos are now
considered as a widely-used type of resource (Guo, Kim, & Rubin, 2014). Therefore,
nowadays, students are using video learning websites at an increased rate.
In the early 1990s, personal computers (PC) became popular in Bangladesh
because of its user-friendliness and affordability. In 1998, the use of computers and
software increased both in public and private sectors in Bangladesh because there was
an exemption of taxes of computers and ICT related accessories and price reductions in
the global market (Islam & Selim, 2006). The government of Bangladesh has recently
taken ICT friendly initiative called Digital Bangladesh to make the government service
easily available to the doorsteps of general people (Khan, Hossain, Hasan, & Clement,
2012). The government has launched several initiatives (for example, Multimedia
Classroom system by a2i Bangladesh) for making online learning easier. The
government tries to control the price of internet and mobile, computer devices.
Therefore, it is now easier for students to have and use technology for their education.
However, in this study, the term video includes the recording, copying, or broadcasting
of moving visual images.
Educational institutions have made continuing calls for change and innovation in
tertiary education, where information and knowledge have been communicated mainly
through conventional lectures despite regular quality concerns (Arum et al., 2012). The
concept of education and learning has recently changed from old aged instructor-
centered approach to learner-centered education modes. With this change, teachers can
act as knowledge givers, as well as learning promoters who motivate learners to build
knowledge (Hwang, Lai, & Wang, 2015). The rapid advancement of information
technology, telecommunications and media are changing the process of transferring
information. These technologies have a big influence on the way people select what
types of knowledge they are interested in and where to find it (Nagy & Bernschütz,
2015).
Using videos for learning were instrumental in professors’ teaching
productiveness and video brought the maximum level of enjoyment (Tang & Austin,
2009). Furthermore, YouTube is the 2nd most visited website in the world, just behind
Google (Alexa, 2019). YouTube, a valuable instructional resource and a teaching
supplement, can motivate and engage students and assist their digital learning. As a
free teaching and learning resource, YouTube is a significant consideration for
educational budgets (Burke & Snyder, 2008).
However, parents and guardians are concerned that students spend too much
time on mobiles and computers and don’t have much time for studying (Owusu-
Acheaw & Larson, 2015). Due to the increased use of video learning, academicians and
practitioners are questioning whether students’ activities and performance will
positively be affected by online and offline videos. There are a number of researches on
the influence of YouTube videos on the education sector. But there are shortages of
research aimed at investigating university students’ use of videos and their effects on
academic performance in a developing country like Bangladesh. This research is a
practical contribution to video learning literature.
3. Literature Review
learners to learn online according to their own pace and review unknown content
(Khan, 2015).
Mobile, a valuable form of technology, has become common among the younger
generations. Videos using cell phones are good instruments that teach students on
proper skills and improve learning outcomes. It can also lead to a significantly higher
level of learning motivation, confidence in learning a skill and class satisfaction(Lee et
al., 2016).
Online video resources and materials can boost a traditional course (Bonk, 2011).
The research findings by Tan & Pearce (2011) indicated that the use of video in
education was an effective way to engage students and support their understanding.
The benefits would be providing different ideas and opinions on subjects, several
delivery mechanisms, and getting regular examples to explain points. Furthermore, the
question numbers were decreased profoundly due to the growing capacity of self-
learning among students (Bravo, Amante, Simo, Enache, & Fernandez, 2011).
To use video as a learning tool, Brame (2016) focused on the following principles
to be considered by an instructor. • Keeping videos short and targeting learning goals.
• conveying right parts of an illustration. • Focus on important concepts and idea. •
Utilize an enthusiastic and conversational style to increase engagement. • Embed
videos in a context of active learning by interactive elements, using guiding questions,
or associated homework assignments.
The general objective of the study was to find out the impact of educational videos on
academic performance among university going students. The specific objectives of the
study were as follows:
1) To identify what types of benefits students got from watching educational
videos.
2) What were the drawbacks of watching the videos?
3) To know the most preferred style and length of videos.
4) What could be done to improve the videos for the betterment of students?
5. Methodology
The research was based on the quantitative method and data had been collected
through a sample survey using a semi-structured questionnaire. A social survey is an
objective approach for studying the social processes within a well-defined area at a
given time by means of a questionnaire, an interview schedule, and information
statistically (Kumekpor, 2002). Using Google Forms, the questionnaire was designed by
the researcher to collect information from a sample of undergraduate students of
Daffodil International University (DIU) in 2018. DIU is one of the top ranking private
universities in Bangladesh. After the distribution of the questionnaire, 342 responses
were collected. Purposive sampling technique was adopted to sample the respondents
as the intention of the study was to find out the impact of video learning. After
obtaining data, the results were analyzed with the MS Excel.
6. Discussion of Findings
Others 2.1
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Others 1
Easier to get expert opinion 38.2
Learning in my own way 54.1
Easy to get video contents 34
no need to buy books or other educational materials 25.1
It reduces my dependency on teachers 25.4
Group study gets easier 25.7
I can remember my lessons for many days 59.5
It creates my eagerness to learn more 49.7
I can learn quickly 48.2
Easy to judge myself 17.2
Easy to share video contents 22.5
I understand my lessons easily 73.1
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
The research found that a majority of the respondents (81.6%) perceived their academic
result was getting better for watching video content. Moran, Seaman, & Tinti-Kane
(2011) found that in classes, educational videos from any online video websites had the
greatest value for use.
35 30.4
30
25 21.9
20 17.8
13.5 14.9
15
10
5 0.3 1.2
0
1-59 seconds 1-2 minutes 7-8 minutes 11+ minutes 3-4 minutes 9-10 minutes 5-6 minutes
The figure 3 showed that respondents liked short-length videos (5-6 minutes)
most. Actually, if videos are long, they will get bored and it will be hard for them to
keep eyes on them. Furthermore, respondents liked the videos that were explained with
examples (74%). According to Buzzetto-More (2014), video length had an influence on
student decision makings whether to watch a video or not.
The respondents were asked to provide ideas about how educational videos should be
made. They mentioned several ways to make the videos and most students (62.9%)
emphasized on making videos with animation. People love animation videos which
help them to engage and keep the learning in the memory for a long time.
7. Recommendations
Based on the research findings, some recommendations had been made to make
educational videos more useful to the learners. Animated videos, videos using a
whiteboard, live videos, videos combining voice and pictures, and khan academy like
videos should be taken into account for creating videos as these types of videos were
loved most. Short-length videos should be created because long videos can cause
boredom and distraction. It is further recommended that videos should be made
compatible with mobile, laptop and other updated devices. For helping students and
making educational videos, educators, content creators and video makers should keep
these recommendations in mind.
8. Conclusion
Higher Education institutions are facing increasing pressure for transformation and
modernization of education delivery methods. Information and communication
technology (ICT) has now become an essential part of the student experience in
educational institutions. Students certainly make good uses of ICTs that work best for
their studies (Henderson, Selwyn, & Aston, 2015). New technologies can motivate
students and assist in information transmission to students. Furthermore, educational
videos provide more rapid explanations comparing to verbal or written forms. As there
are the potentialities of videos to allow, expand and even boost student learning, the
research was conducted to investigate the impact of university students’ use of
educational videos on their academic performance.
The study revealed that students loved to watch educational videos and they
saw videos for academic purposes. They got so many advantages by watching
educational videos in the classroom and outside the classroom. As a result, a majority of
the students thought their academic result was improving for watching educational
videos. In addition, the study disclosed that most students liked short-length videos
and videos with examples. Since the education sector needs to be adapted in ways that
meet the needs of our time, the educational institutions should properly consider videos
learning inside and outside the classroom with other technologies.
Acknowledgments
I thank Mahmudul Hassan (Studying European Master in Social Work with Families
and Children under Erasmus Mundus Scholarship) and Muntashir-Al- Arefin (Research
Assistant, a2i Programme) who helped me develop the questionnaire.
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