Improving the Asynchronous Video Learning Model Michael E. Griffiths Department of Instructional Psychology Doctor of Philosophy Online education is popular from a consumer perspective, but there are elements of faceto-face instruction and assessment that are difficult to reproduce online (Bassoppo-Moyo 2006). The difficulty of reproducing valued elements of a face-to-face setting leads to concerns regarding the overall quality of the online learning experience. Videoconferencing is one technology that has been used to incorporate elements of a face-to-face environment. However, videoconferencing over the Internet is fraught with technical difficulties and live discussions remove one of the main benefits of distance education: time flexibility. A more recent development has been to use asynchronous video as a communications method in online courses. Griffiths and Graham (2009) described several pilots using asynchronous video in online courses at Brigham Young University. Asynchronous video conveys the verbal and nonverbal signals necessary for immediacy and social presence and retains the time flexibility benefit of distance education. Following the pilot studies, a prototype design theory titled the Asynchronous Video Learning Model (AVLM) was created for the use of asynchronous video in online courses. A study was designed to study a practical implementation of AVLM. The major purpose of the study was to observe and analyze the practical experiences of participants and improve the AVLM model. A class named IPT286 (Using Instructional Technology in Teaching) taught by the department of IP&T at BYU was redesigned to be an online class using AVLM. Data were gathered during the semester and then analyzed according to the methods described in this study. Results showed that many of the principles of the AVLM model were successfully implemented and led to positive experiences. Some elements of the model were not adequately implemented which led to some negative experiences. In addition, experiences led to new elements being added to the model. The study also revealed some interesting principles related to general learning theory. The data consistently revealed the importance of relationships in the learning process. Relationships between students and the instructor were shown to influence the student learning experience, and therefore the personality and style of the instructor impacted overall student learning to some degree.

this research sought to understand the experiences of students and instructors with asynchronous video (video-mail) using webcams in three online sections of teacher education classes at Brigham Young University. We examined the experiences of students through scores and comments posted in student ratings surveys, and the experiences of instructors through personal reports. these experiences were evaluated in terms of the observed existence of instructor immediacy and of closeness. immediacy is defined in this study as the verbal and non-verbal signals normally achieved in face-toface communications between instructor and students that can help establish a close and trusting relationship whereby students know their instructor and feel that they are known, where students seek support, where feedback is personal and meaningful, where students have a sense of well being, and where student motivation is positively impacted.