Teacher online presence research

The science behind engaging students via instructional videos is complicated, according to findings by researchers. Their findings show that when these visuals are used effectively, it can drive student engagement, but in some cases it could be distracting. While students reported higher engagement when the instructor looked at the camera than when they didn’t, the transparent whiteboard wasn’t always the most effective. Stull says that it seems that actually seeing the teacher’s face the whole time may have distracted attention away from the words and drawings on the transparent whiteboard.

Stull, A. T., Fiorella, L., & Mayer, R. E. (2020). The case for embodied instruction: The instructor as a source of attentional and social cues in video lectures. Journal of Educational Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000650

Tech Use Data

According to a report from Nielsen, as of June 2009, 57 percent of Internet consumers use television and the Inter-net simultaneously at home. The number of people watching mobile video on handheld devices increased 70 percent from last year. People who watch video online increased their viewing by 46 percent compared to one year ago. The average American TV consumption remains at an all-time high (141 hours per month). Currently, 30 percent of homes in the United States have digital video recording (DVR) devices.

Nielsen (2009). Television, internet and mobile usage in the U.S.: A2/M2 Three Screen Report, 5(3rd Quarter 2009). New York City, NY: Nielsen. http://www.nielsen.com/content/dam/corporate/us/en/newswire/uploads/2009/12/Three-Screen-Rpt_US_3Q09REV.pdf