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This is a great question, and while I don't think you can just students' understanding one way or another simply with test results, I think the question still has to be asked: do videos support new learning, or simply reinforce incorrect learning. Derek Muller discusses his doctoral thesis: "It is a common view that 'if only someone could break this down and explain it clearly enough, more students would understand.'... they do not engage with the media on a deep enough level to realize that what was is presented differs from their prior knowledge." The answer isn't a simple yes-no, of course: if misconceptions are presented and then refuted (a la Mythbusters) then students can learn from videos. -- Downes OLDaily march 20

People like me sometimes are inclined to think that if people had more and better education, they would not believe anti-scientific myths. For example, they they were told that the Sun is in a cooling cycle, they would not be inclined to blame Sun cycles for global warming. Actual evidence, however, suggests that people continue to believe myths despite the scientific evidence. Myths provide explanations, and merely debunking a myth leaves a gap in that explanation. In some cases, the provision of evidence contrary to the myth can actually strengthen their belief in the myth. Why do I raise this? Education is not a magic remedy for misinformation. See also the Debunking Handbook (PDF) by John Cook and Stephan Lewandowsky. -- OLDaily, April 18

Why students need to fail Moira MacDonald, University Affairs, December 4, 2013 Interesting article on the design of a course that has students act as instructors, drawing their presentations from dense and difficult texts, in an environment that is challenging and often results in failure. The course, taught by Concrodia University professor Vivek Venkatesh, "was really about thinking on your feet," says Tieja Thomas, a PhD candidate who took the course. "You had to come prepared . . . It really was a deeper form of learning."