Learning process and learning outcomes of video podcasts including the instructor and PPT slides: a Chinese case

TLDR

Video podcasts are rapidly growing as a prominent trend in education. The study examined how different video podcast formats influence learning processes and outcomes. Ninety‑four Chinese undergraduates completed pre‑view questionnaires and prior‑knowledge tests, then their eye movements were tracked during the podcast while post‑viewing learning tests assessed outcomes. Students who watched podcasts featuring both an instructor and PPT slides achieved the highest learning gains, focused more visual attention on the instructor, reached peak mental fatigue at 22 minutes, and the study suggests that educational technology effectiveness is culture dependent.

Abstract

Video podcasts have become one of the fastest developing trends in learning and teaching. The study explored the effect of the presenting mode of educational video podcasts on the learning process and learning outcomes. Prior to viewing a video podcast, the 94 Chinese undergraduates participating in the study completed a demographic questionnaire and prior knowledge test. The learning process was investigated by eye-tracking and the learning outcome by a learning test. The results revealed that the participants using the video podcast with both the instructor and PPT slides gained the best learning outcomes. It was noted that they allocated much more visual attention to the instructor than to the PPT slides. It was additionally found that the 22 min was the time at which the participants reached the peak of mental fatigue. The results of our study imply that the use of educational technology is culture bound.