The most important component of an online course has to be the video lectures. A sophisticated learning management system (LMS) will incorporate video lectures into course modules so that it can easily be viewed and downloaded to keep. Carefully placed within the learning path of the LMS, video lectures can serve as introductory content to a given topic, explanatory content and/or summary content and should function in collaboration with reading materials, quizzes and assignments. The video lecture has the important task of binding all learning components together in a comprehensive manner.

Unlike a live lecture, the video lecture is short and to the point. It is designed to grab and hold attention and humanise the online learning material. Let’s consider the components that contribute to effective video lectures in terms of the method of production as well as the nature of the content delivered.

Putting a face to the words

The face on the computer screen becomes an entity that learner’s associate their learning experiences with. They get to know this person. The virtual lecture has the power to affect a learner’s overall experience either positively or negatively.

The person needs to be an academic or professional in the specific field, but also someone with an excitable personality that can interact with a camera.

He or she should be able to get the audience excited about the topic and will deliver this by revealing his or her own enthusiasm about the topic. When looking at a face teaching you something on a screen, that person’s credibility cannot be doubted. Therefore, the lecturer must be at ease, comfortable in front of the camera, and most importantly, confident in his or her knowledge of the subject at hand. The lecturer should feel free to address his audience directly, for example, “I would like you to think about this”, as such a humanised/personal element to the online learning process is important.

A dynamic medium

Just because a lecture is being featured, does not mean that the video should not be visually stimulating. The perks of video animation, captions, cut away shots and so forth, should be employed to keep the video visually interesting. This needs to be done in a professional and relatively formal manner.

Into context = into perspective

The content of video lectures should not consist of regurgitation of content that is already present and available in course reading materials. Video lectures should be strategically placed after reading materials has been supplied but before assignments are made available. This supports the flow from one section to the next by placing things into context. Through examples and case studies, learners, right then and there, are encouraged to see how the newly acquired information can be used and how it applies to specific circumstances. A great way of doing this is to encourage learners to apply the information to the context of their own life situations.

All assignment questions should be repeated in video lectures so that they may be considered in perspective. Attaching new information to a specific context or a frame of reference is what makes that information have meaning to individuals.

Pause, absorb and apply

Including an exercise in the video lecture itself is a great idea. Students will absorb the information by applying it on the spot, while pausing the video for a few seconds. The lecturer can even tell his or her audience to pause, encouraging them to take a moment to engage with and apply the content. Learners can then click away and quickly complete the exercise. When returning to the video, the lecturer can further discuss the topic, while the learner has a self-constructed comprehensive reference to work from.

In closing

The videos should be exciting and lectures should be insightful. Content must be carefully chosen – you only have 10 minutes max in which to provide information that will make an impact and help learners through the module. Employing the ideas discussed above in collaboration, speaks to the purpose of eLearning in general – offering the optimal learning experience.

This article was constructed from observations made in my personal experience of being enrolled in a Coursera.com online course.

Sound Idea Digital specialises in Learning Management Systems and eLearning developments | soundidealearningmanagement.co.za
Carla van Straten is a Writer for Sound Idea Digital | Carla@soundidea.co.za