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Purely speculation, but I think a well made video/lecture is the best way to learn concepts and reading a concise document is the best way to get information. V

by davemp 8y ago

Purely speculation, but I think a well made video/lecture is the best way to learn concepts and reading a concise document is the best way to get information. Videos have richer tools with visual aids and tone, but text is searchable and fast if you know what to look for.

dylan604 8y ago
For me, I was taught how to learn from reading the course material, and then follow that up with a lecture. Eventually, I could even do away with the lecture. However, in the early 90s, there was a series I saw on PBS that was a visual course on physics. (I’m thinking a WGBH production, maybe WQED). After reading the material followed by the lecture, these videos really made things clear with their visual reinforcement that the classroom could never do. Like everything in life, YMMV, and everyone learns differently.
akiselev 8y ago
Not all the time. At least when it comes to subjects involving physical things as opposed to software or theoretical subjects, video greatly expands the amount of raw information captured at the expense of total density. It takes quite a bit of control out of the author's hands, so to speak, by capturing far more than the words they explicitly choose to write. When it comes to fixing or building things, for example, this means that video has the potential to capture a lot more incidental information that the author might never think to include like the speed and strength of movements as well as tactile responses that are nearly impossible to describe in a consistent manner. I think text is better when you already know what you're looking for and video is better when you are still trying to develop an intuition for the subject.
derefr 8y ago
I would argue that for a deep understanding of a system, the best medium is in fact a simulation game that incentivizes you to optimize your way through that system.

by davemp 8y ago

dylan604 8y ago

For me, I was taught how to learn from reading the course material, and then follow that up with a lecture. Eventually, I could even do away with the lecture. However, in the early 90s, there was a series I saw on PBS that was a visual course on physics. (I’m thinking a WGBH production, maybe WQED). After reading the material followed by the lecture, these videos really made things clear with their visual reinforcement that the classroom could never do. Like everything in life, YMMV, and everyone learns differently.

akiselev 8y ago

Not all the time. At least when it comes to subjects involving physical things as opposed to software or theoretical subjects, video greatly expands the amount of raw information captured at the expense of total density. It takes quite a bit of control out of the author's hands, so to speak, by capturing far more than the words they explicitly choose to write. When it comes to fixing or building things, for example, this means that video has the potential to capture a lot more incidental information that the author might never think to include like the speed and strength of movements as well as tactile responses that are nearly impossible to describe in a consistent manner. I think text is better when you already know what you're looking for and video is better when you are still trying to develop an intuition for the subject.

derefr 8y ago

I would argue that for a deep understanding of a system, the best medium is in fact a simulation game that incentivizes you to optimize your way through that system.