Design Strategies of EFL Learning Videos: Exampled by a China MOOC

Abstract

With the advancement of information technology and innovation of learning approaches, the development of online learning videos has become an important aspect of contemporary teaching of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). However, there are no systematic design strategies for it. The paper takes EFL learning video development as a process of knowledge visualization, analyzes College Oral English which is a popular China MOOC available at the authentic website iCourse, and summarizes five advantageous features of its learning videos. Then the paper proposes the design strategies from two perspectives: establishing an EFL visual representation framework and formulating visual design principles. The former includes establishing a repository of visual representations, specifying the features of different types of EFL knowledge and establishing a matching table. The latter includes observing the rules of visual attention, setting cognitive load at a reasonable level, building a visual context and improving social presence.