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The paper gives a brief overview of the use of digital video in distance education, the background to The Open University's Digital Video Applications (DiVA) Project, the contexts in which the Digital Video Library system is being used and some evaluation findings. Through DiVA, the university is investigating how it can use its video assets effectively, to support reuse of existing materials in course production. The project team is also evaluating student use of the system. The paper reports on an observation study which revealed several usability issues and stakeholders' opinions about potential uses of the DiVA system. This is followed by findings from an evaluation of student use of the system at a residential school and its use as part of an online learning activity undertaken by students accessing the system remotely. Evaluation findings to date indicate some quality and workload issues but they also show opportunities that come to light when using the DiVA system.

Case teaching has the potential to involve students in complex decision settings, enhancing their identification with protagonists facing difficult challenges. This article explores the impact of teaching a printed leadership case study with and without the appearance of the CEO in class—by video or in person. Our investigation shows, via qualitative and quantitative means, that the leader’s presence, even through video, significantly affects student engagement and can substantially enhance impressions of leadership effectiveness. We offer implications for teachers and propose future research directions.

Amongst the many recent developments in learning technology, video streaming appears to offer a considerable range of benefits for tutors and learners alike. For these to be fully realised, however, various conditions have to be met. Merely making streams available and directing students to them, does not necessarily result in quality, or indeed any, learning. Drawing on material from the literature and the World Wide Web, as well as recent project experience, this paper discusses the potential effectiveness of video streams as learning resources in higher education within the context of current and possible future technologies.

This paper offers an overview of streaming video and discusses the different formats of streaming media. Various hardware and software programs used to create streaming video is examined. In addition, the paper discusses the advantages and drawbacks of using streaming video in online teaching. Finally, a discussion of how streaming video can be used in online learning and its curricular applications are addressed.

Streaming video was used to support the learning of first year student nurses on a Life Sciences module, as one of many innovations designed to increase the range of resources and support available to students. This paper describes the background to this innovation, the procedures adopted and the results of extensive evaluation. The use of streaming video was evaluated in three applications in the module. A total of 656 students used online directed-learning sessions that incorporated streamed video. Just over half of these students actually viewed the video streams. Their feedback showed that 32% found access easy, 59% enjoyed using the resources, and 25% were very confident that they learned from them. Different types of video were used, and embedded in diverse ways, but the results were consistent across the three applications. They suggest that streamed video can contribute to useful resources to support learning by student nurses but, for a variety of reasons, it may not appeal or be adequately accessible to all students at present.

This project investigated the exploitation of on-line video media for the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of dentists. More specifically it focused on the evolution of the video media from video-conferencing to simple and complex webcasting. The study aimed to establish models of best practice for the use of both videoconferencing and webcasting in the training of dentists. The three phases in the investigation progressed from a single screen presentation to three frame webcasting. • Phase 1 consisted of videoconferencing and one-frame webcasting across the local area network (LAN). • Phase 2 was a two-frame webcast across the LAN. • Phase 3 a three-frame webcast across the Internet. In each phase three different teaching scenarios were compared the lecture, seminar and one-to-one delivery. The same presenter and teaching material (Medical Emergencies) were used in each setting. The majority of participants were about to qualify as dental surgeons. A qualitative analysis was employed using questionnaires with a 5-point Likert scale, interviews and observational techniques. In the questionnaire, presentational, technical and educational issues were investigated. What clearly emerged was the very positive reaction towards the video media which were considered a most acceptable mode of delivering CPD (rated very good and good more than 80% of the time). Similarly, the presenter and teaching material scored highly in all phases and scenarios (good to very good, 4-5 on the Likert scale). Video-conferencing was deemed more suitable to special occasions such as major lectures, and webcasting was preferred in a one-to-one setting. Technically, webcasting did not make extra demands on the presenter, audio was more reliable and set up times were minimal compared to videoconferencing. However, sufficient webcasting bandwidth was necessary to prevent web-congestion. 'Interactivity' was essential to both recipient and presenter. It was appreciated most in Phase 3 webcasting where the chat box gave time to reflect before responding. A 'learning line' was proposed with videoconferencing and webcasting as part of the spectrum between face-to-face and on-line learning, respectively.

Abstract: This paper reports on a survey of the use of video as a teaching resource within one British University, drawing on evidence gathered during 1995 from fourteen Schools within its four Faculties. It identifies the factors and issues which influence the use of video in teaching, including management of video resources within the Schools; how video is used to support teaching strategies; and its perceived usefulness as a teaching resource. Findings note the extent to which video is used across the University; the factors that support or discourage its use; and the awareness and expectations that teaching staff have of video as a teaching tool. The discussion offers some recommendations as to how video use may be supported and improved within the University. The research could form the basis for a larger study to establish whether the findings from this survey may be typical of the picture in higher education generally.

Abstract: Multimedia technology in principle may help speakers to deliver more effective presentations. The present study examined what effectiveness might mean in terms of audience reaction. Understanding that may help educators to use multimedia more effectively themselves and to help their students to do so. Descriptors were elicited from audiences in response to a total of 56 live presentations in which speakers used multimedia as a presentation aid. Forty-two rating scales were defined. A total of 20 presentations were rated using the scales, with the scales presented in one of two different random orders. The order did not appear to affect the ratings. A factor analysis suggests that three factors may be most important in describing the audiences responses. The first describes audience assessment of how well researched and informative the presentation seemed. The second concerns the design of the multimedia, including how creative and imaginative it was. The third reflects how entertaining and how much fun the audience felt the experience as a whole to be. The results suggest a three-factor model that might be useful when designing multimedia-supported presentations, for providing proactive guidance and feedback when training speakers, and for assessment purposes.

In this case study the authors discuss the creation of a digital video resource delivered via the WWW and CD-ROM for the teaching of interpersonal communication skills to distance students involved in a Masters of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) programme. The learning objectives of the resource, a walkthrough and an examination of the production of the digital video material are provided.

This paper uses case studies to describe how streaming video is currently used to support student learning in post compulsory education in the UK. It describes the current role of streaming video and identifies processes that could extend the application of streaming in education. It attempts to establish a case for more formal evaluation and communication of educational processes involving streaming and identifies elements of a research agenda that could further develop the application of streaming technology in education.