2.6.2 Video

The use of video within a course can help a learner understand the topic through visualisation. Supplementing written course materials in this way can be effective in holding the learner’s attention and providing a welcome break from reading. Overuse of video (e.g. the dumping of multiple video lectures online – the talking head) is unlikely to be appealing, hence mixing your media – text, audio, video and activities in combination – can provide a rounded and more immersive learning experience.

• Example: Introducing the voluntary sector [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] (video from Open University free course)
• Example: Interviews with charity shop workers (video on YouTube)
• Example: Sixty second adventures in religion (top-end animation, YouTube)
• Example: The History of Money (Open University. Lower cost video; no animation but use of cuts between illustrations)