3 Producing microlearning delivery
Introduction
Microlearning is about designing learning delivery and activity in ways that optimise cognitive load. Chapter 2 focused on reducing overall volume of content. This chapter tackles cognitive load barriers with emphasis on attentional resources, working memory, i.e., processing capacity, with a focus on bite sizing time-lengths, or durations of learning sessions to try and optimise these. The focus on cognitive load reduction here turns to ways we can produce and segment learning sessions, and recordings of these, e.g., lectures and classes, into easy to digest, scaffolded learning instalments.
Microlearning draws on multimedia design principles to produce short form learning materials that are compact and interconnected to improve learning by allowing learners to process information more effectively in small step-by-step units (Alias & Razak 2024; Mayer, 2019; Tufan, 2021). Bite-sizing delivery into instalments is an effective way to reduce cogitative load in the learning process (Gobet, 2005; Kamel, 2018; Sweller, 2010), especially for those studying online. A key aim in doing so is to make online learning resources, like recorded lectures, less daunting and more manageable, and as such, more inviting and engaging.
Pedagogical and mechanical processes for producing recordings
Media Production
- Producing content presentation and learning sessions suitable for recordings
(recordings which go on to serve as learning resources)
Variety in media
- Video recorded learning sessions, voiceover slides auto-play format, still slides
- Demonstration styled videos, animation videos, podcasts
- Include graphic and visual elements
Skills and Equipment
- Production skills required for recording and editing are easily attainable
- Equipment needed is readily accessible
I think you will find the journey to becoming a media producer of your own teaching and delivery, rewarding and enjoying, once you get going.
Micro delivery
To align with microlearning objectives, it’s crucial to ensure that once students land on the course homepage, they immediately notice the ease of access to learning materials. This visibility should demonstrate that they can engage with recorded content in easily manageable, bite-sized segments for viewing and listening. By presenting learning resources in an attractive and accessible way, the goal is to enhance the appeal of the learning process. This strategy aims to address the common challenge where students feel overwhelmed by lengthy content, thereby fostering a more approachable and appealing learning environment.
When they arrive at the course homepage learners should be able to immediately see an orderly sequencing of learning activities e.g., Lecture 1: Part 1 with topic and time length included. This helps students to prepare and manage their time. They can switch onto the recordings at any time of day or night when they have some spare time, whether they’re waiting for a bus, doing some exercise, or have just put their kids to bed. This assists students to individually plan and manage their time in ways that suit their own circumstances.

Having audiovisual at the centerpiece of delivery by providing easy to access audiovisual learning resources at course entry point is an important step in making content appear more appealing accessible and equitable to students.
In the case of micro-lectures or content presentations, they are primarily informational as the purpose is to communicate key content knowledge such as concepts, principles, and theories. We can illustrate these by including examples, such as case studies that demonstrate applicability and stimulate student interest. Another important strategy is using clear, to-the-point communication. Guided by less is more, means we should always be striving to convey points and information as concisely and directly as possible, to minimise unnecessary and avoidable cognitive load. These are points worth reiterating as we now move into considerations and steps involved in producing audiovisual delivery-based learning resources.
Learning delivery typically commences with a lecture style presentation of a unit of content that is recorded and segmented into instalments of two to three bite-sized learning resources that are between 5 to 15 minutes in length. If certain a topic requires a longer time frame and the presentation can be kept interesting, e.g. inherent nature of topic, delivery dynamics) that can be justifiable. However, the key point with microlearning still holds, delivery should more often be in the form of short bite-sized instalments. This is key feature that marks microlearning as a distinct shift away from the traditional one hour long-form lectures. Bite-sizing is the way to make online lectures and recordings more attractive and convenient, noting that on campus students today also expect access to online recordings.
Because microlearning is learner centred and thus focused on increasing student engagement in the process of their own learning, it is important that we build in opportunities for learners to engage and participate with appealing and purposeful activities. Learning activities are an essential component in online learning, presentation-based delivery of information, and interactive classes, such as tutorials, workshops, and labs. (Activities and exercises covered in detail Chapter 4)
Pre-recording content delivery: lectures, presentations
A common method, for producing lectures and presentations is to record voice-overs to accompany slide presentations. Voice recordings can take place in a work office or at home and the process is relatively simple, you’re probably doing recordings like this already. I continue to use voiceover slides as a main-stay method because it gives high level control over content including wording and time-lengths for the learning resource being produced. Once voice-overs are recorded, that can be embedded into slides, and then converted from slide-show to video-play format.
However, there can be drawbacks with the recording voice-over for slides option. It can be time consuming, especially for those who encounter difficulty in adjusting to the seemingly void and unfamiliar world of voice recording. Then, a common challenge people encounter is being able to deliver an ‘easy to listen to’ style of voice. This is mainly due to the absence of an audience whose facial and body language features give instant feedback. I was caught by surprise myself with this, like many others, I found it difficult to break out of a ‘robotic’ voice. A listenable voice is one that includes fluctuating intonations, stress on certain words and pacing that creates a rhythm that is adds to ease of listening.
Do not become too surprised or disheartened if you encounter hurdles when starting with voice recording. There are ways to manage it and it is important that we do. Vocal aesthetics are important for attracting and sustaining interest.
Purposeful experimentation, with trial and error, is a good way to fast track your search for a natural, relaxed tone that feels authentic to you, you will know when you find it by listening to playbacks. Indeed, it is important listen to recordings one minute in, to see if you are satisfied with the way you are sounding, and also as a check for any technical glitches e.g. making sure the microphone is correctly. It is a valuable time saving tip, it avoids frustrations of having to delete and re-record sizable recordings.
My early experience with recording
Voice recording tips
- Sound check recordings one minute in to identify and address any audio issues quickly.
- Voice experimentation use trial and error recording and listening to playbacks.
- Consider standing, moving, and gesturing during recordings, or even walking while speaking. There is a variety of mobile device options available to help with this.
- Try reading from written scripts, it can make it easier to focus on voice delivery for some. Also, teleprompter (free software), it can be distracting and take a little time to get used to.
- Try recording using video conferencing applications to record with your image displayed. I have found visual cues helpful for overcoming monotonous delivery.
- Collaborative recording: Invite someone to join in and help you with some vocal contributions via video conferencing platform. Voice file recordings can then be used for slide presentation. You also have the option of providing them with some questions they can ask to prompt responses you can provide.
- Invite guest speaker, or co-presenter to co-present with you. You can include slides and record on video conferencing platform. In this case, it is a good idea to record with cameras turned on so students can see presenters while watching the slides.
The co-presenting option can work very well and segues into the topic that follows ‘Variation and novelty: presentation styles and formats’ for adding value to delivery and thereby the overall learning experience.
However, there are some aspects of recordings that do not need to be pristine when considering audio quality. Background sounds, unless loud or disruptive, or particularly irritating, tend not to impact on lease of listening, so mild car and traffic sounds and bird calls are usually fine. The key litmus test question for audio quality is to ask: ‘Is it easy to listen to?’ But if audio quality is poor to the point where it is not easy to hear or listen to, you may need to re-record. A second option could be using audio enhancement features in recording software. That aside, a natural and relaxed sounding voice usually works well, this is because it tends to produce a warm conversational tone, which students prefer because they find it ‘relatable’ and personal (Kossen & Ooi, 2021).
Vocalised fillers like ums and aahs are fine as they can add to the conversational style learners find more relatable, so I leave some of these in. But if they are too frequent, they become distracting and detract from ease of listening, in which case they should be edited out. Auto removal functions for removing unwanted sounds like umms and aarrhs are becoming standard in editing software, making their removal easy. It is worth noting that people generally overlook the power they hold to leverage their own individual voice qualities and natural aspects of the way they speak as a means for increasing ease of listening and thereby relatability. However, good presenters tend to be more aware of this.
Variation and novelty: presentation styles and formats
Vocal tone and style
Providing learners with variety and variation in vocal tone and style can play a key role in attracting and maintaining interest, because it helps breakdown monotony in voice presentations by adding vibrancy through vocal dynamics. I have also found varying style between formal and informal is one good way to increase impact through variety. I draw on or include a more formal style for lecture presentations, while sticking to a more informal, conversational style, for short weekly introduction videos. I recommend using a conversational style most often because it is an effective way of making information seem more welcoming and relatable, and it helps create the feeling of lecturers talking directly to learners. It provides an inclusive tone and sense of a more personal experience, one which helps break down the barriers of psychological distance between learner and teacher. Nonetheless, keeping some variation between styles, remains effective in creating impact and interest, largely because it provides learners variety.
Voice contributions for slides
Additional perspective and interest to a slide presentation and can be achieved with voice-overs for as little as one or two slides. Interspersing guest voice contributions not only adds vitality, but further increases relatability as well, is a way to add variety and interest to slide presentation is to invite a guest to independently voice record some slides or sections. Asking a colleague or guest for vocal contributions can improve ease of listening by breaking some of the monotony of having only one voice. This is not something that you need to do for every class. Over time, you can add voice contributions from others in years that follow. Including student voices is another option to consider and can also be used to create opportunities for increasing student engagement, but a consent or ‘permission to use’ form is advisable.
Options for organising and facilitating voice contributions include:
- providing colleague with word-for-word scripting, or
- bullet points to indicate what you would like covered in slides chosen, or
- provide interview style questions ahead of time, or
- leave the wording of contributions to the discretion of your guest.
Providing colleagues with a script they can work for voicing slides can be an efficient and effective way to achieve specific and desired impact when aiming for precision with tightly focused messaging, while at the same time helping to keep demands on colleagues to a minimum. Producing scripts for voicing is a ‘high control’ approach that can work well when precision, clarity, brevity and impact are being sought. The trade-off is it limits perspectives and ideas a colleague may be able to bring. However, there is room for flexibility, you may opt for a combination of word-for-word scripting and guest input, and the added option of negotiating input. But in any case, providing guidance helps ensure best results.
The following lecture-type presentations lean more toward formal voice styles and tones because the aim was to provide a sense of formality. Notice how the guest voice qualities are suited for formal and semi-formal/conversational styles.
The following for examples (below) demonstrate approaches ranging from formal to conversational presentation styles.
Example 1 is taken from ‘PRL2012 Microlecture 2-1: The positivist paradigm‘ and offers a formal, scripted style (video: 1’01”; CC-BY).
Example 2 is taken from ‘PRL3004 Microlecture 2-1: The Hawthorne Studies‘ and combines formal and conversational styles (video; 1’02”; CC-BY).
Example 3 is clipped from ‘Closed communication‘ and uses a semi-formal, conversational presentation style (video; 0’14”; CC-BY).
Example 4 is representational of a semi-formal, conversational style, and is taken from ‘PR Persuasion Tactics‘ (video, 0’25”, CC-BY).
Activity: Your evaluation of the voiced recordings
In this activity, we are focusing on presentation qualities in voice delivery rather than actual content. Reviewing the sample recordings provided above
- Consider what you feel are strengths and weaknesses of each recording. What elements are appealing, and what does not appeal?
- Do any of the approaches to voice delivery align the methods you use?
- Generate ideas inspired by the samples for future voice delivery strategies.
- Create a list of approaches you would like to trial and incorporate in your own recordings in the future.
Co-presenting voice recordings for slide presentations
Inviting a guest or colleague to join in and co-present in recording a slide presentation is another way to add variation and vibrancy to lectures and presentations. It goes a step further than having voice-over contributions for slides. Content delivery with a co-presenter can be transformative in helping make presentations ‘come to life’ with even greater synergies of energy and increased perspective. Co-presenting is a commonly used format, we see it used in broadcast news, especially television, with the use of two news anchor presenters to add vibrancy and breakdown monotony. It is an approach based on variation and novelty as a way to maintain interest.
The following (below) is an example of a co-presented micro-lecture, ‘Facilitating group processes for participation at meetings and workshops’ (video; 0’43”; CC-BY).
Co-presenting is a valuable tool in the microlearning toolkit and so I use it frequently. That said, having variety across a course still works best, that is, having a mix of my voice only presentations, along with some with guest voice contributions.
Recording live content: lectures, presentations
Recording presentations during live delivery is another good option, if circumstances allow, as many lectures are recorded live either on campus or online, or a simultaneous combination of both where a presentation is being delivered live on campus in a room, with access also open to online learners. This kind of combined learning type context is quite common today, especially for institutions that have large cohorts online and on campus.
Live delivery recording helps overcome hurdles commonly encountered with voice-over recording for slide presentations as we’ve discussed. This leaves us with the task of segmenting the recorded content into bite-sized instalments, which will be covered shortly.
Advice on inviting guest contributors and co-presenters
My advice here is to keep microlearning principles in mind, strive to keep tasks easy, keep time and effort demands as small as possible, and sell these positives to people when approaching them for contributions. While one can provide co-presenters with fully scripted content, it can be easier to provide key points, or a basic lesson plan or lesson slides.
When asking for co-presenter contributions, be clear about what it is that you’re wanting and that you make the task easy for them. For example, for an in-class guest or co-presenting contribution (whether on campus or online) you can explain that you are the one who is responsible for taking the lead and managing the class. Asking for a twenty minute or even shorter appearance is another option.
Finally, we can use payback principles which is offering ‘help in return’ when we approach others for contributions. Bonus benefits here, potentially, include spreading microlearning practices among colleagues and beyond as well as greater collaboration and integration of cross disciplinary and interdisciplinary curriculum.
The video (below) ‘PR Microlecture: Engagement: Variety and Novelty (Co-presenting)’, (video: 1’05”; CC-BY) offers some main points to keep in mind when co-presenting.
Editing
Editing is not all that difficult and can be mastered quite quickly, with easy to use editing software readily available. Tips for fast tracking getting started with editing, sourcing, and learning software, include seeking help and guidance from colleagues who are already using editing programs, you can also make a start with some online searches. You will need software for (1) audio editing (voice recordings for slides) and for (2) video editing.
Videos can be recorded to screen by the camera built into your computer or can record on phone. I prefer the computer screen camera for videos which feature me presenting to camera (i.e., ‘talking head’). If I am presenting with slides, I use ‘share screen’ so that I can include my physical presence. However, I avoid slides in ‘welcome to course’ and minimise using them in ‘introduction to week’ recordings to foreground my presence because this personalises the course experience for students. (covered in Chapter 5)
Video Production and Editing Software
1. Panopto is a very easy to use platform for editing videos of recorded lectures and classes. You can import videos e.g., recorded on zoom, you can also record presentations directly to Panopto with computer screen capture (webcam and microphone). I recommend Panopto because it makes video editing very easy, it also makes managing and sharing videos to select audiences simple and easy. For example, you can also reuse videos or sections of video in multiple courses and semesters. A free version can be downloaded if your organisation is not using it. To preserve original copies and create separate segmented videos, use ‘Create Full Copy’ under ‘Manage’ in Edit icon. For dividing recordings into three, duplicate three times and apply section names.
2. YouCut (free version available) is a user-friendly video editing app primarily for mobile devices. It provides a range of editing features such as cutting, merging, adding music, filters, and text to videos. YouCut is popular for its simplicity and accessibility, making it a convenient choice for quick editing tasks on the go, especially on smartphones and tablets. It can be used to create videos that are easily accessible on students’ devices and an efficient way to produce and edit video recordings using readily available resources, over highly professional production standards (Ooi, Kossen & Jamal, 2022).
3. Animaker is a user-friendly animated video creation platform that empowers users to produce animated videos without animation experience and skills. It includes a variety of templates, characters, backgrounds, and music options. Animaker can be used to create visually appealing animations for a wide range of purposes including educational content, marketing videos, and social media posts. It is popular for its intuitive interface and versatility in making animated content accessible to creators with very little or no experience. (A free version can be downloaded)
Video lengths and where to make cuts
Enhancing microlearning video production involves a focus on editing recordings to tailor content delivery into digestible segments that promote engagement and interactivity. A practical initial step is to divide recordings into manageable parts, deciding where these breaks should occur. This process allows one to get a quick start, subsequent refinement can then proceed in later iterations with more detailed editing. Determining ideal lengths for segments and how many segments, involves judgment based on
- your knowledge and expertise on content
- distinct subtopics covered within
- break points, to break-down / scaffold complexity
- your awareness of student struggle points.
Having microlearning principles in mind, to reduce cognitive overload and optimise learning and information absorption, also help to guide us. Remember, cognitive overload is a major barrier to learning because people’s capacity for learning is constrained by volume, complexity, and attention span over time durations. Microlearning design can help us reduce or limit the rates at which we exceed the cognitive limitations of our learners (Clark & Mayer, 2016).
Complex content often requires increasing scaffolding, for example, breaking down content into smaller bursts (i.e., shorter instalments) and more detailed planning of sequencing content. Increasing the number of video instalments here is a solution, rather than a problem. Increasing scaffolding is an effective and often-used measure, such as, providing learners with more time and processing space to grasp their understanding of critical concepts and content. Keeping all video segments short is generally best, because makes them more attractive and reduces cognitive load.
Having information and learning instruction, in person-like presented forms, available for students as video recordings, as resources for learning, is a big advantage for students. It is one that students themselves greatly appreciate, recordings have generated a great deal of positive feedback in the form of ratings and comments in courses where they have been trialled and used (e.g., Kossen & Ooi, 2021).
Common among these are comments are benefits derived from being able to re-watch sections in recordings that deal with concepts and ideas they find difficult to understand. Feedback has shown that students benefit from being able to rewind, or track back and re-watch, sections they find more difficult to grasp. (Points similar, have also been made in relation to recorded classes).
Editing plays another important role in microlearning design delivery, with the use of reduction editing. We can use reduction editing to reduce the volume, and the length of our recorded learning resources. This of course applies to live recordings, but it can also apply to pre-recorded slide presentations to reduce excess word volume. For example, in cases where explanations are unnecessarily long or where repetition is unnecessary and therefore not helpful. Undertaking this kind of editing work becomes easy quite quickly, e.g., identifying the best places to make cuts. Microlearning principles of clear and to the point communication come into play here as well as reduction of unnecessary and distracting content. One obvious target is editing out presenters talking themselves through the technicalities of getting share-screen up and running.
As we progress with reduction editing, we use our own judgement to decide which sections of a recording may not be ‘on-point’ enough or sufficiently valuable or interesting to escape the cutting room floor. These are professional judgements you make based on your assessment of the level of value particular sections of the recording have for learners who come to view it.
For example, a feature of class teaching (tutorials or workshops) is the focus on student participation and interaction. Hence, we design activities to encourage responses and interaction that occur in real time i.e., synchronously (covered in Chapter 4). Some of the conversations that occur during these activities are often very useful in building rapport and adding reflection in ways that are valuable for those participating at the time the class is being held. However, some of these can add unnecessary length for the online learner audience who come to view them.
Keep balance in mind in terms of capturing and preserving natural flow and authenticity in interactive learning processes, don’t let obsession with reduction lead to over cutting to the point where it detracts a recording’s value as a learning resource.
A great deal of class or tutorial type teaching takes place online using video-conferencing platforms. This is certainly the case for me, where I push record to begin and then have a recording of the class afterwards. I then edit the recording to reduce unnecessary volume and divide it into segments. But make sure you keep a copy of the original recording in full, a backup in case of a technical or some other glitch e.g., accidental deletion, file corruption. Also, remember to include time-lengths for segments as well as titles to indicate segment content.
Elements of segmenting in structuring content and delivery
- Segmenting delivery is not achieved by editing alone. We segment, both lecture type presentations and interactive type tutorials and workshops, when we’re in the process of designing and structuring lessons or learning sessions. It is, therefore, a part of the chunking process and it makes decisions about where to cut-edit for splitting into microlearning instalments easier, especially for live recordings, like live class recordings.
- Structure for delivery or lesson content for any given week typically involves several topics, also keep in mind each topic should include at least one activity in learning sessions, this includes lectures. Principally, we cut by topics, while also taking volume, complexity and time length into account. In practice, a ten-minute learning segment may consist of two or three subtopics, ideally, logically grouped e.g., are closely related.
- A feature of class teaching (tutorials or workshops) is the focus is on student participation and interaction. Accordingly, we strategically design activities designed to encourage responses and interaction that occur in real time i.e., synchronously.
Tips for video files and edit-cutting
- Remember, check to ensure ‘recording’ is in progress
- Setting up in classroom or online: e.g. finding ‘share screen’, asking can people see and hear you.
- Responses and conversations that were enjoyable and maybe even useful ‘during class’, but off track or less interesting or overly lengthy in the context of an optimally timed online resource.
- Likewise the end of the class when you’re making announcements, these will not be reusable (not evergreen) and be announced in a message or forum.
- Keep a copy of the original recording in full. Backing up in case of a technical or some other glitch.
Evaluating your delivery when reviewing recordings
One of the great benefits of editing is that it forces you to watch your recordings and engage in reflective practice. It is a great opportunity to review and critically evaluate your own teaching and improve it. I’ve been able refine my teaching practices closer to the microlearning principle of ‘less is more’ by keeping explanations shorter, clearer and more direct, after noticing that some of my explanations were longer than needed.
The following video (below) ‘PR Microlecture: Chapter 3: Recording and editing‘ (video, 2’21”; CC-BY), explains the main points to keep in mind when reviewing and editing recordings.
Variety and novelty in media Delivery
Approaches to microlearning design centre around making learning more engaging and applies to making learning resources more attractive and interesting. Providing variety in media delivery helps to achieve this by making it more dynamic as borne out in student feedback: ‘it makes study less boring’ is a common sentiment in evaluations for my courses.
Students report many advantages with having access to recorded classes, including the flexibility and convenience that mobile access offers. Many said they use video recordings as a way to listen to the content when driving, travelling or walking and that it helped reinforces learning.
Students also appreciate the ability to listen to recordings while engaged in activities like household chores, which reinforces learning content. Microlearning enables multitasking opportunities like learning on the go, aiding productivity with daily tasks. The freedom to move physically during learning sessions is also valued as way to break up the sedentary (stationary) nature of study. Some students report that they use the mobility opportunities of listening to move around and exercise as a way to help refresh their concentration and prolong alertness. Students also responded favourably to audio-based delivery (e.g., podcasts, to be covered shortly).
The fluidity in learning modalities benefits all learners but especially those with neurological conditions and attention challenges e.g. ADHD. Multi-sensory content can facilitate ease of absorption as well as deeper learning allowing learners to develop connections with spoken words, text and images (Clark & Mayer, 2016).
Slide presentations (video playable, some standard format)
Again, having recorded playable media as a centrepiece of the learning experience plays an important part in making learning more attractive and convenient. Converting voices slide presentations into video-play format is a microlearning staple for presentation of content. One way to add variety in media format is to provide some slide presentations as voiced slides, that is, without converting them to media play format. It provides students with a variation in experience, where they step through slides one by one, I include voice-overs most times, but occasionally provide slides only, because it is another simple way to add variety into the learning experience.
However, it is better to use media play files most often because they provide more conveniences, including the option of listening without vision (like a podcast). Feedback shows that students appreciate the conveniences of being able to listen to media files while driving, carrying out chores and other tasks.
Audiocast/podcast presentations
Another way to add variation and vibrancy it can bring is to include voice only recordings, now we’re getting into the area of podcast-type form. I have found two-minute audiocasts can work well to conclude a module with a summary of key points as ‘takeaways’ for the week. It can be be a good way to reinforce critical points.
In providing variety in learning resources, I also source podcasts, including episodes from my own podcast Communicating for Success at chriskossen.com.me which accompanies a higher education study skills textbook, I coauthor. These micro-sized (5 to 15 minute) podcasts are aimed at making communication concepts and how to apply them and make them accessible e.g., by relating them to everyday and real-to-life type situations. They are based on microlearning principles of a warm and relatable conversational style with a variety of guests and a high relevance focus, that is on how to apply and benefit from the ideas and concepts being covered. That people associate podcasts as a medium for relaxation is also a point of attraction that makes them valuable as a learning resources pool.
In addition to the benefits and conveniences with portability of audio learning already identified with students using video recordings to listen to, e.g., movement, multitasking and allowing a break on the eyes. Audio media takes a load off the needed for visual processing and reduce stress. Audio format also helps engage the brain other ways, it allows learners to construct and visualise as a part of the information absorption process which can improve comprehension and retention and build stronger mental connections (Bernabe & Orero, 2020). An informative audio or podcast format is often more convenient and inviting to re-listen to.
While well selected visual display can greatly reduce cognitive load, it also adds sensory load and as such can add to mental load as a drag on the senses. As an alternative, audio delivery has potential to better engage attention and penetrate more deeply. This level of increased focus, ‘cut through’, can come with the one sensory mode audio brings.
Consider, that there is less need for visual accompanied presentation when reliance on visuals for understanding a topic in cases where visuals do not contribute significantly to understanding or help reduce cognitive load.
Lecturer video presentations
These are short video presentations that feature the lecturer, some can feature a course tutor or instructor. They not only provide variety in media and presentation style, they personalise and humanise the learning experience for students. In addition to a short ‘welcome to course’ video, I produce short ‘introduction to module’ videos for each week and ‘assessment how to videos’ for each assessment. (Covered in Chapter 5, on student supports)
Demonstration videos
Animation videos are often designed and used for demonstrating, but demonstrative videos are not confined to animation. Demonstration videos are useful because they can be used to show students how a process works. In public relations for example, demonstrating the process of composing a purposeful Tweet for an employer organisation. Demonstration videos are popular in teaching areas like mathematics, for example, solving an equation using a step-by-step method to demonstrate the application of principles and procedures for example solving problems (i.e. worked-examples).
Animation and Artificial Intelligence generated videos
Animation videos, up to 3 minutes recommended, can be produced and then edited to condense. These short micro size videos have been popularised as a medium in social media communities, they allow users to share their experiences and ideas and life hacks, inspiring their use in education as a highly appealing way to attract views.
Animaker is an easy-to-use software that includes functions for: text, graphics, video animation and audio that can be included into ‘scenes’ to convey content in novel and appealing ways to help increase engagement, aid comprehension and improving memory retention.
AppyPie AI Animation Generator allows you to create animations at a high quality by typing text descriptions into the AppyPie AI Animation Generator and then transferring the animated frames generated into to the animation maker. Then there re are options to add music, sound effects and voiceovers. The AI function can also transform static images into animations. Software, like Animaker and AppyPie, are available in free version form, with options of upgrading to low-fee versions with increased functionality.
The ‘bells and whistles’ of animation and animation videos are an option, not a requirement, so there is no need to burden yourself. But having said this, AI continues to make the once complex task of producing animation much easier.
Animation can be incorporated with increasing ease into slides (e.g., PowerPoint). Animation has the potential to significantly, and even powerfully, increase engagement-appeal, information absorption and ease of learning. But keep in mind, we want to avoid spending too much time on time-consuming work for too little return. Nonetheless, AI driven automation and animation technologies will continue to transform the way education is designed and delivered at an increasing pace.
Video-play slide presentations |
which can be listened, in a similar way to podcast |
Static slide presentation |
students step through manually (voiced, or unvoiced) |
Audiocast presentations |
in style of podcasts, can also include sourced podcasts |
Short lecturer videos |
e.g., weekly welcome for each module |
Demonstration videos |
e.g., demo how to solve a maths problem |
Animation & AI videos |
e.g., a character in place of instructor or yourself |
Graphics and imagery in multimedia design
Types of graphics, each can be useful
Cosmetic: can be used increase appeal or attract attention (e.g., eye catching) and can help make content appear more attractive, and at a subtle level cosmetic can include style of background in used in slides.
Representation: visual representation to show shape of an object e.g., components of anatomy components or visualise a process e.g., a diagram that tries to show how combustion engines work.
Connection: diagrams to show connections e.g., flow chart, map/mapping topics for a lesson
Relational: to visually convey information and relationships, especially useful for conveying quantitative information with graphs e.g. using line graphs to represent income over the year, or pie graphs to show areas of expenditure by proportions. Graphs can be used represent groups of numbers in ways that make that information tangible and easily understood.
Using graphics and images
Cosmetic graphics can be used to good effect when used sparingly, but harnessing the signifying power of the more functional graphics deserve greater attention, representation in visual form can be an effective way to make phenomena tangible. A word of caution here, be careful not to fall into the mindset that graphics need to be included on every slide.
Images can also be used to attract attention, and in doing so can ease cognitive load, by providing impressions that are more memorable then written text and easier to recall. Public Relations and marketing, for example, use images to boost chances that information they distribute will not be discarded, e.g., in media releases, social media posts. That companies and organisations commonly use logos to visually represent themselves, bears out the power of imagery.
Congruency: Ensure consistency between material being displayed both text and graphics and narration often called congruence). Spoken explanations should match what is being displayed and the number of words displayed on a slide should be kept as short as possible, point form mostly, sentences can be used when needed and an occasional paragraph can work well. While it is important to avoid overly or unnecessarily long explanations speaking at some length to several dot points on a slide can still work well, in which case keep the number of points on a slide to only a few.
- Point form is effective, limit number of words used on screen to a minimum
- Remember, most often, to talk to points in the order they are displayed
- Avoid narration or speaking that is unnecessarily long
- Avoid speaking at length on individual slides (rather, spread points out)
- Be careful of too much talking on points not on screen or not closely related enough to justify
- Check-question: ‘Do the graphics contribute to effective conveying of information and ease of understanding?’
- Keep in mind that graphics do not necessarily need to link directly to a concept to be effective, a cosmetic graphic can be effective if it helps attract interest.
- Formatting is also effective for increasing visual appeal, like font type, spacing, colour, etc. While not wanting to undermine the power of graphics, they are not always necessary, I often present with dot points only, with minimal background or use of colour.
Conclusion
This chapter covered pedagogical and mechanical processes involved in producing recordings of content delivery and interactive classes as learning resources. Editing is a primary way to reduce cognitive by: (1) splitting recordings into short, segmented sections and (2) cutting out unnecessary conversations in class recordings. Segmenting recordings makes them more inviting, which not only increases engagement, but improves information absorption and learning retention. Keeping video content and segments short is important because it makes them more attractive to students and reduces cognitive load, also influenced by increasingly busy lives and limits on attention spans.
Microlearning sized recordings can increase engagement in terms of popularity with numbers of students accessing them and positive comments in course evaluation. Students appreciate the conveniences of being able to listen while driving, listening while making dinner and while carrying out chores, some say they continue to keep an eye on the slides when doing chores. Video recordings overall, regardless of whether they be from pre-recorded lectures or from live recorded classes, provide students with great flexibility in ways they can consume information in recorded forms.
Recording and production
Recording and segmenting are a hallmark of the microlearning design approach in its quest to seek out ways to assist learners with cognitive load challenges they face.
- Voicing slide presentations and converting to video play form
- Vocal delivery conversational tone overwhelmingly most effective
- Inviting guest voice-overs, or co-delivery by recording with guests
- Recording live lecture presentation delivery and recording of classes
Editing: Segmenting and reduction
Reducing recorded content by editing into short segments and then cutting out less relevant parts reduces cognitive load and further increases engagement of audio and video recordings
- Use editing techniques and principles to guide reducing volume and length of recordings
- Use easily available and easy to use editing software
Media and variety in media
Increases engagement and advantages for learning and information processing
- Provide variety in media: video recorded learning sessions, recorded audio delivery
- Demonstration styled videos, animation videos, providing some still slides
- Design in graphics and visual elements
List of References
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Bernabe, R., & Orero, P. (2020). Easier audio description: Exploring the potential of Easy‐to‐Read principles in simplifying AD. In S. Braun & K. Starr (Eds.), Innovation in Audio Description Research (pp. 55–75). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003052968
Clark, R. & Mayer, R. (2016). e-Learning and the science of instruction: Proven guidelines for consumers and designers of multimedia learning (4th ed.). Wiley.
Gobet, F. (2005). Chunking models of expertise: Implications for education. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 19(2), 183–204. DOI: 10.1002/acp.1110
Kamel, O.M. (2018). Academic overload, self-efficacy and perceived social support as predictors of academic adjustment among first year university students.International Journal of Psycho-Educational Sciences, 7(1), 86-93. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED585260
Kossen, C. 2023. (Host). Communicating for Success. Podcast, www.chriskossen.me
Kossen, C., Kiernan, E. & Lawrence, J. (2021). Communicating for Success (3rd ed.). Pearson Australia.
Kossen, C. & Ooi, C.-Y. (2021). Trialling micro-learning design to increase engagement in online courses. Asian Association of Open Universities Journal, 16(3), 299-310. https://doi.org/10.1108/AAOUJ-09-2021-0107
Mayer, R. (2019). How multimedia can improve learning and instruction. In J. Dunlosky & K. A. Rawson (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of cognition and education (pp.460–479). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108235631.019
Ooi, C., Kossen, C. & Jamal, A. (2022, November, 2-4). Micro-learning: Investigating new approaches to online pedagogy in first year and undergraduate learning and teaching. Referred conference paper presentation], The 35th Asian Association of Open Universities Annual Conference, 2022, (2-4 November), Seoul, Korea.
Sweller, J. (2010). Cognitive load theory: Recent theoretical advances. In J.L. Plass, R. Moreno & R. Brunken (Eds.), Cognitive Load Theory (pp. 29-47). CambridgeUniversity Press.
Tufan, D. (2021). Multimedia design principles for microlearning. In J.R. Corbeil, B.H. Khan & M.E. Corbeil (Eds.), Microlearning in the digital age: The design and delivery of learning in snippets, Routledge.
Attributions
Kossen, C., Sample 1: PRL2012 Microlecture 2-1 (1.01), CC-BY-4
Kossen, C., 3.2 Sample 2: PRL3004 Microlecture 2-1 (1 .02), CC-BY-4
Kossen, C., Sample 3: Closed Communication (0.14), CC-BY-4
Kossen, C., Sample 4: PR Persuasion tactics (0.25), CC-BY-4
Kossen, C., Sample 5: voice sample 5 (0.43), CC-BY-4
Kossen, C., 6 PR MICRO Ch3 (Co-Presenting) (1.05), CC-BY-4
Kossen, C., 7 PR MICRO Ch3 (recording and editing) (2.21), CC-BY-4
Media Attributions
- Microlearning Chap3 Pic1
- Editing © arista septiana dewi is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license