Thomas Hurkxkens - Audiovisual Director Online Learning Lab (Centre for Innovation) Leiden
Thomas Hurkxkens has a background in journalism and documentaries, and is now responsible for the development of visual online education at Leiden University.
The Online Learning Lab has established several small, lean and mean studio's spread across Leiden, playing into the decentralized nature of Leiden University. The visual team produces different kinds of educational video's: from 3D animations to teachers explaining the study material on camera. Most video's are shot in a studio, since shooting on location takes a lot of time and effort.
Making video's is initially quite hard for a lot of teachers. One of the goals of the Online Learning Lab is to get them to a level where they can produce video's themselves. This is why professors get media training and make test video's to get used to being in front of a camera.
According to Hurkxkens, these are some factors teachers need to take in account when making a video:
- Storytelling: placing the study material within a compelling story activates a larger part of the brain and improves learning;
- Structure: this will help the students to understand the connection between different concepts;
- Show, don't tell: use images, examples and shoot on location if possible.
Hurkxkens argues that virtual reality is powerful as a immersive way of learning, even though a lot of its effects are still unknown and not everyone owns a virtual reality device.
In order for universities to keep up with new technology, Hurkxkens recommends flexibility and experimentation. Right now, the Online Learning Lab is experimenting with virtual reality, 360° video and augmented reality. However, Hurkxkens acknowledges these technologies make us face new challenges. For example: how to prevent students from getting distracted?