Can video (created with powerpoint and TTSAPP) replace “normal” lectures?

Abstract

PowerPoint, a ubiquitous tool used by lecturers and customizable with animation and now with video producing possibilities, and Microsoft Text to Speech Application (SAP15 TTSAPP), now including the more naturally sounding voices of Zira and David, have facilitated the setting up of a video lecture on boiling and condensation, which was presented to a class of 45 fourth year chemical engineering students in a computer laboratory. The original PowerPoint lecture on boiling and condensation was used in this study, and augmented with additional animation and audio to simulate normal lecture practice. The audio was produced by typing the spoken words into the notes section of the PowerPoint slides, and processing these with the TTSAPP. The resulting audio wav files were then included in the sequence on the animation pane, and the presentation saved (also) as a MP4 file video. Students rated the video lecture relative to a normal lecture and supplied additional, mostly positive, comments, and these results are discussed and compared to their performance in the following test. Hence it was concluded that there are initial indications that the learning of students is not adversely affected by having lectures online. This can now be tested for a whole subject, after which one may start thinking of collaboration with other universities to ultimately aim for increased teaching efficiency.