Transforming Passive Video into Interactive Learning at MSSU

All images courtesy of Missouri Southern State University

 The challenge

 Diana Fordham, instructional designer at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU), specialize As a history professor, she has learned that students absorb information better when they are challenged and required to interact with material as they go. Her challenge, and the reason she sought out PlayPosit by WeVideo, has always been to replicate facets of the face-to-face educational experience. 

The solution

Fordham could very easily distribute her curriculum through unintegrated, but required reading and quizzes. With a little intentionality, PlayPosit's interactivity tools make it possible for Fordham to bring history to life.

The results

The impact on students reiterates the power of interactive video for Fordham. Here’s some of the direct feedback she has received:

• “Courses were interactive and challenging, but it’s what made them easier to get through. It helped me actually pay attention to the lectures instead of ignoring them.” 
• “Much more engaging than quizzes or textbook assignments.”
• “PlayPosit this semester has been my favorite aspect of this course. It is an amazing way to receive information visually, while also immediately getting to answer questions regarding the current information you are absorbing.”
• “Really love this version of learning.”

Key takeaways

Using PlayPosit by WeVideo allows the following:

• Time reduction while assembling and grading lessons with seamless workflow.
• Creation of AI-resistant assessments and the ability to avoid test banks becoming available online.
• More interactive assignment types using open-ended questions; students can write papers directly into PlayPosit this way.

Hear their story

Today, Fordham relies heavily on PlayPosit's interactive tools to engage her students. That makes online instruction meaningful and enjoyable, she says. View her full presentation from the PlayPosit Exchange to understand just how she's able to offer this valuable experience to her students. 

Benefits of interactive video

• Prompts the learner to stop and consider information via embedded materials and quiz questions.
• Interactivity embeds a sense of accountability that motivates students to pay attention. 
• Students can go back and review material if they don’t fully understand a concept.
• Provides valuable data to make continuous improvement and iteration sustainable.

Practical strategies for educators

• Focus on ease of navigation – Fordham attributes 99% of the success of a course to making it simple to find the information that they need.
• Incorporate materials outside of the video – for example, you can use videos as a means to quiz students on the assigned reading and instantly get data on how they are progressing.
• Script your videos, keep them at a 30 minute chunk, and space out questions – that keeps each lesson to a digestible amount of time and students engaged throughout.
• Save yourself grading time with fill in the blank questions – these questions are graded automatically.