On-Demand Virtual Lectures: Promoting Active Learning in Distance Learning

Virtual lectures are one of the key enablers for effective online learning in the higher education. However, most of the existing virtual lecture approaches are either instructor driven or requiring sophisticated system for customization. In this paper, we present an innovative learner-driven virtual lecture method to promote active learning and student engagement in the distance learning environment. We implemented the proposed on-demand virtual lectures in an Information Technology department in a large public university at the southeast of United States. The learner survey results showed that the proposed on-demand virtual lecture approach can help students learn more effectively than the traditional virtual lectures can. The implications and future directions of this study are discussed.