Abstract:

‘Learning videos’ has become a popular method in teaching, both in traditional and distant mode. There are some obvious advantages of using learning videos inside or outside classroom, such as flexibility and a ‘technology rich environment’. Apart from those there are also some cognitive aspects that make learning videos a successful technique. The cognitive aspects are related to students’ engagement that is achieved through learning videos and seems to be wider than the engagement achieved through other methods. On the other hand an obvious barrier in the use of learning videos is the training that is required for teachers of all levels in order to become skilful to create and distribute learning videos.

The aim of this paper is twofold: first, to discuss the advantages of using learning videos in classroom, with emphasis on the cognitive aspects. Second, to present the results of an evaluation of popular software used to create learning videos. The evaluation took place at the University of Westminster, London and was funded by the ‘Educational Initiative Centre Development Fund 2007-2008’.
The software that was investigated within the above funded project is:
• WINK
• Demo Builder
• Camptasia Studio 5

‘Wink’ software is recommended by ‘UCL Learning Technologies’ to UCL lecturers who want to create learning videos / e-tutorials for their students. It can be downloaded free from the address: http://www.debugmode.com/wink/ and it is available for Windows and various versions of Linux.
‘Demo Builder’ is a Flash based tool that allows you to create videos and e-presentations. Two versions (a standard and a professional one) are offered. Also, it can be bought with ‘Quiz Builder’ – offered by the same company – in order to incorporate quizzes in the educational videos.
‘Camtasia’ has become ‘fashionable software’ to create educational videos. A licence should be bought and a free 30 day trial can be downloaded from the address: http://www.download.com/Camtasia-Studio/3000-13633_4-10665109.html. It works with Windows XP and Vista.

There are several common features in the above presented software. Also, there are several advantages and disadvantages in their use. Wink is the easiest of the pieces of software we examined. It offers fewer graphics and less ‘exiting’ interfaces. On the other hand it is easy to learn and it is free. DB and Camtasia are more complicated with extra features. Both are commercial products that aim to produce commercial applications. Both require licence. For overloaded lecturers who just want to enrich their lectures with simple videos Wink might be the best choice. It is quite simple; it does not require long learning time; it is free. But if someone wants to create more sophisticated interface or navigation and especially if someone wants to create commercial applications then DB and Camtasia are recommended.

Learning videos are useful tools for ‘show-how’ tutorials. In most cases, they are not supposed to replace the lecturer. Apart from the technological advantage that the use of learning videos offers, it also offers a richer cognitive environment. Today several pieces of software are offered for creating learning videos. The initial training time that is required for teachers in order to create learning videos could be reduced with the choice of the right software.

Keywords:

learning technologies, learning videos, design of educational material.