Applicability of internet video in distance education for engineering

This paper analyzes the pros and cons of Internet video in delivery of synchronous distance education for engineering topics and presents the results of a recent experiment in adding video to a course that previously was delivered using Internet audiographics only. The author has extensive experience teaching a variety of courses that support regional students by reducing commuting and also allowing time-shifting of classes using online recordings of the synchronous sessions. His distance delivery had evolved away from video as a teaching medium in order to use limited capacity Internet modem links. With the recent availability of higher access rates using cable modem and DSL, video has become more practical as a teaching medium. This has led to experimentation with web-based video delivery. In this paper, he provides a detailed analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of video when used in this way, and supports the analysis with feedback provided by students in a controlled experiment where the same students attended classes with and without Internet video