Board #447: Enhancing Lecture Material with Conceptual Videos: A Supplementary Learning Experience

This research paper explores the use of conceptual videos to supplement a first-year programming course, although our hypothesis can't be confirmed due to data issues, it aligns with other studies indicating an improved learning experience. According to verbal reports, students often struggle with retaining and comprehending lecture content, especially when reference materials are limited to lecture notes and slides. College students collectively undertook this project to investigate the use of conceptual videos as supplementary pedagogical tools. They sought to develop materials enhancing course comprehension, covering fundamental topics from variable declaration to arrays and functions through a quick topic rundown and detailed programming examples starting from the project's creations. The team embarked on the production of a series of educational videos. These dynamic tutorial videos deliver an immersive learning experience that is often lost in different lecture styles or written material. The college students being the coaches of each video compares to peer-teaching which can enrich the learning experience by offering an additional layer of support and engagement alongside the expertise of professors. These videos were intended not as replacements for the lecture materials but as complementary resources to reinforce newly acquired knowledge for a deeper understanding. Further, they would serve as valuable review tools not only for students currently enrolled but also for upperclassmen seeking to refresh their programming skills. This enhances concept retention and increases student engagement, potentially leading to improved attendance, participation, and grades in computer science classes. Late recovery of data was a substantial setback, resulting in the inability to complete the videos in time for testing and hindering the ability to comprehensively assess the efficacy of these supplementary videos in enhancing the learning experience. Despite this setback, the project benefited the students who took on this project by honing their C++ programming skills as well as their communication skills.