Video stream and teaching channels: quantitative analysis of the use of low-cost educational videos on the web

This paper presents the results of using low-cost educational videos, aimed at complementing face-to-face and distance courses of the Degrees in Industrial Engineering, Industrial Organization and Aeronautical Engineering at ETSEIAT (Technical School of Industrial Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering of Terrassa). The high speed access and the ability to create knowledge networks in which all authors can actively participate are only some of the advantages of Video Stream (Fiil and Ottewill, 2006; Michelinch, 2002) and Web 2.0, that have motivated this project. The elaborated videos, combined with text, images and questionnaires can be easily inserted into the ETSEIAT teaching platform ATENEA (Moodle), thus developing new teaching methodologies to support independent learning and enhance students’ motivation. Based on a sample of 487 students enrolled in different courses and degrees, this paper analyzes both quantitatively and qualitatively different dimensions of evaluation of new technologies in teaching (Breen et al., 2001) as well as the professors’ perspective and their perceived cost. The main research findings revealed an improved student motivation and an increase of the perceived efficiency in the learning and teaching process, without substantially raising costs.