Short Video for Education

Given the addictive nature of short videos, perhaps we can shift our perspective and harness them for learning. TikTok has already ventured into this space with its “# LearnOnTikTok” initiative, amassing approximately 450 billion views (oxofrdinglearning, Dec 2022). Despite this, it’s just one among numerous hashtags on it, aimed at categorizing educational content and catering to the demand for bite-sized learning, particularly in the context of home-based learning during the pandemic. Short video content is prevalent across platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), and more, though the majority lean towards entertainment and marketing applications.

Better Recommendation Model

Is there a novel video search and recommendation model that can intentionally suggest curated watch lists, moving beyond viral and entertainment content? Imagine a scenario where a user searches for tips on injury-free running. Subsequently, the system could intelligently curate a watchlist that subtly incorporates relevant running insights within the videos they view. This high-quality recommendation approach, focused on personal enrichment, could be a game-changer.

While the current addictive recommendation algorithms undeniably constitute the platform’s key competitive advantage, there’s room for more diverse recommendation models that foster a sustainable and healthful ecosystem. Such an approach might warrant consideration for subscription-based services, offering users an experience with fewer ads and more premium educational short videos. This shift could have positive ripple effects throughout the industry, promoting a balanced and more enriching user experience.

Short videos are just a supplement to learning. Repetition, emphasized by Peter C. Brown, aids knowledge retention. For example, I vividly recall a bottle thrown down the stairs due to repeated exposure on various platforms. Both conscious and unconscious repetition aid memory. Given the choice, I’d prefer paying for premium content push than the small blue label of x.com (ad-free is a plus though).