3 Ways Video Makes Online Learning More Engaging, from the Kaltura Connect Education Virtual Summit

During the 17 years he taught high school students in Brazil, Marco Fisbhen saw a huge problem.

Fisbhen, CEO of Descomplica, said that problem was the way his students prepared for Enem, the standardized test high school seniors took to get into federal universities in Brazil.

He said he wanted to find a simple framework for online learning to help students prepare for Enem, and have an equal chance of getting into those federal universities.

“Nine million kids take the exam,” said Fisbhen, during the Kaltura Connect Education Virtual Summit. “It was starting to be unfair because kids from richer families could afford better test prep and get spots in federal universities for free.”

Fisbhen said the strategy that boosted his students’ understanding of online learning and preparation for the test was through videos.

He said he manipulated videos to improve content and distribution, and to engage his students.

Video Content

Fisbhen said he found that students prefer watching video content in bite-sized pieces, rather than longer videos.

He said shorter videos help instructors build on their curricula, and keep students’ attention.

“Do five-minute videos,” he said. “Longer videos don’t work. The kids are more likely to watch lots of five minute videos and do their work in smaller chunks…It’s more fun, more engaging. Start small and move forward from there. Stop and think what’s the one best way to deliver that content, and do just that.”