Examining the Use of Worked Example Video Podcasts in Middle School Mathematics Classrooms: A Formative Analysis.

Video podcasts allow students to control when, where, and what they learn, as well as the pace of learning. Considerable research has been conducted in higher education on video podcasts use, but not in middle schools (grades six to eight). This study investigated the use of worked example video podcasts in mathematics classrooms with students 11 to 13 years old. One hundred thirty-six pupils individually watched video podcasts designed to teach basic mathematics concepts. Students were positive about the quality of worked example video podcasts and appreciated the step-by-step, easy to follow explanations, diagrams, and being able to control the pace of learning. Learning performance increased significantly after using worked example video podcasts. There were no gender or grade level differences in attitudes toward worked example video podcasts or learning performance. Les podcasts video permettent aux etudiants de controler quand, ou, et ce qu'ils apprennent, ainsi que le rythme d'apprentissage. Un grand nombre de recherches ont ete menees sur l'utilisation de podcasts video dans l'enseignement superieur, mais pas dans les ecoles secondaires de premier cycle (classes de sixieme a huitieme). Cette etude a examine l'utilisation des podcasts video d’exercices pratiques dans des classes de mathematiques avec des eleves de 11 a 13 ans. Cent trente-six eleves ont regarde individuellement des podcasts video concus pour enseigner des concepts mathematiques de base. L’evaluation des eleves a ete positives quant a la qualite de podcasts video et ils ont apprecie les explications par etapes et faciles a suivre, les schemas ainsi que la possibilite de controler le rythme de l'apprentissage. La performance d'apprentissage s’est amelioree de maniere significative apres l'utilisation des podcasts video. Il n'y avait de pas de difference selon le sexe ou le niveau scolaire dans les attitudes envers les podcasts video ou dans la performance d'apprentissage.