Continuing from the previous article, the most likely teaching models to transform global education in this century are "flipped classrooms" and "Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)." In both developed and developing countries, there are cases where schools or businesses combine MOOC platform courses for teaching or employee training. The flipped classroom teaching method is also gaining global popularity, widely adopted by teachers eager to improve education. The foundation for both is the production and application of instructional videos. Therefore, as practitioners in video production, how can we not be part of this global wave?

Instructional videos serve as the common foundation for flipped classrooms and MOOCs. Besides the shared use of videos as a means of knowledge transmission, the videos used in both approaches are similar in expression and duration, making them interchangeable. In this article, we will explore the instructional videos used in flipped classrooms and MOOCs. (Before reading this article, please ensure you have a basic understanding of flipped classrooms and MOOCs. Additionally, the discussion in this article focuses solely on practical filming aspects and does not include psychological aspects such as teaching methods and student learning motivation.)

What do instructional videos in flipped classrooms and MOOCs look like?

Peter Norvig, the founder of the well-known MOOC platform Udacity, vividly described these instructional videos in a TED talk as "like sitting in a bar, with a really smart friend, who's explaining something you haven't grasped, but about to." The experience of watching such videos is akin to receiving one-on-one teaching from a teacher. A complete course is divided into multiple video segments, each lasting no more than 15 minutes. The videos typically feature the teacher verbally explaining concepts, supplemented with text, a whiteboard, images, or additional videos as background. Although flipped classrooms and MOOCs have been popular for a short time, there is no fixed filming style yet. However, overall, the presentation of the content is clear and concise.

How to produce instructional videos for flipped classrooms and MOOCs?

Firstly, it's essential to clarify that these videos focus on knowledge transmission, so the aesthetic quality of the visuals is not the primary consideration for creators. While the visual appeal does impact the viewing experience, audiences who actively watch such videos generally have a significant degree of learning/viewing motivation. Thus, they are not significantly influenced by the visual quality, making effective knowledge transmission the primary concern for both creators and viewers.

The production methods for instructional videos vary based on the course and teacher's teaching style. Simple videos may involve using a whiteboard with a laptop webcam (e.g., the high school math and science courses created by Dr. Lu Guan-Wei in Taiwan). Complex videos may employ virtual studios and multiple camera setups (e.g., Professor David J. Malan's CS50 course on edX). Various approaches exist, and there is no definitive winner. According to the course videos released by the three major MOOC platforms—edX, Udacity, and Coursera—most courses tend to use virtual studios for filming. This choice is often due to the ease of post-production and the flexibility to change backgrounds, providing more variety in presenting course content.

Since the invention of dynamic video recording technology, videos have always played some educational role. Today, MOOCs combine instructional videos with the global internet, aiming to bridge educational gaps caused by economic disparities. The flipped classroom teaching method, leveraging the convenience of online instructional videos, challenges traditional rote learning, triggering a global education revolution. In this emerging wave of education, video creators face a new stage, with the opportunity to take on the responsibility of conveying knowledge and promoting innovative values. This article encourages more professionals in the field of video production and individuals in the education sector to collaborate in developing and producing video-based teaching materials, contributing to the education of the next generation.