Higher Cognitive Engagement

WU Jinlu^1* and Uday Satyamohan Athreya²

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science
²Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Technology (CTLT)

^*dbswjl@nus.edu.sg

Wu, J., & Athreya, U. S. (2024). Creating Videos with ChatGPT and AI Voiceover for Higher Cognitive Engagement [Lightning Talk]. In Higher Education Conference in Singapore (HECS) 2024, 3 December, National University of Singapore. https://blog.nus.edu.sg/hecs/hecs2024-wu-and-uday

SUB-THEME

Opportunities from Generative AI

KEYWORDS

ChatGPT, Scriptwriting, AI voiceover, Videos, Higher Cognitive Engagement

CATEGORY

Lightning Talk

EXTENDED ABSTRACT

Educational videos have become integral to modern pedagogical strategies, enhancing student engagement, managing cognitive loads, and deepening concept mastery. However, producing high-quality educational videos traditionally requires sophisticated equipment, such as advanced microphones, quiet environments, and professional editing software. Non-native speakers and individuals who are camera-shy often find the process particularly challenging. Furthermore, updating videos to reflect the latest findings and current trends can be time-consuming.

 

Advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have revolutionised the creation of educational content, making it more accessible and effective. By leveraging tools like ChatGPT for scriptwriting and AI voiceovers for narration, educators can significantly enhance cognitive engagement in educational videos. These tools allow the generation of scripts tailored to various pedagogical focuses, such as triggering curiosity, engaging students in scientific inquiry, or fostering critical thinking. Additionally, updating slides and scripts with dynamic, current academic content or creating scenario-based learning and assessments can be done efficiently.

 

In this talk, I will share my experiences using ChatGPT and AI voiceover technology on our internal platform, VoiCeIT (https://voiceit.nus.edu.sg), to create educational videos. I will cover the processes involved, including scriptwriting, slide importing, and video exporting. Furthermore, I will discuss how these videos have been integrated into a blended learning environment and present student feedback on their use.

Figure 1. A graphic summarising the four key steps for video production using ChatGPT and AI voiceover

 

There are several benefits to using VoiCeIT for video production. Firstly, the app is free to use and provides access to technical support when needed. Secondly, it eliminates the need for dedicated recording spaces, equipment, and additional manpower. Lastly, it is time-efficient for producing new videos or updating existing ones, significantly increasing productivity.

 

My videos were developed for teaching Molecular Genetics in a blended learning format. They were made available on Canvas, allowing students to watch them before or after lectures. Although there were no direct assignments or assessments linked to these videos, data showed an increase in both the number of students watching and the duration of views for the new AI-voiceover videos compared to traditional videos recorded via Camtasia.

 

Additionally, I explored using ChatGPT for scriptwriting with different audiences and learning objectives in mind. While the core academic content remained consistent, I prompted ChatGPT to write scripts aimed at “sparking curiosity,” “fostering scientific inquiry skills,” and “promoting critical thinking.” These prompts align with the pedagogical goals of initiating interest, supporting skill development, and encouraging deep thinking.

Table 1
An example showing three slides on an ageing topic used to generate three video scripts for different pedagogical purposes

Slides	Prompts Given the scientific content below, please write video scripts aimed at
	sparking curiosity	fostering inquiry skills	promoting critical thinking
Slide 1: Telomere and telomerase	Have you ever wondered…? Intrigued? Let’s dive deeper!	Have you ever wondered…? How does this process impact…? Let’s explore the science behind it!”	Have you considered why …? What does this mean for cellular longevity and aging? Let’s delve into the mechanics and implications…”
Slide 2: Cell type-specific telomere dynamics	Did you know…? Curious about how this impacts aging? Keep watching!	Let’s form a hypothesis: Do different cell types experience telomere shortening at different rates? …How can we investigate …? By examining…and comparing the data, we can draw…	Why do telomeres shorten at different rates in various cell types?… Analyzing these differences, what can we infer …?
Slide 3: Telomere attrition, cellular senescence, dysfunction, and ageing	How do short telomeres affect our health? …Want to know how to keep your cells healthier for longer? Let’s explore!	What role do short telomeres play in diseases? Let’s hypothesize…To investigate, we can collect data on… By examining the correlation between…, we can conclude …	How does telomere shortening contribute to cardiovascular disease?… Analyzing these influences, how can we better understand…? What critical steps can we take to mitigate these effects?

 

The potential broad application of this approach extends beyond biology to various fields and educational levels. By reducing the technical and production barriers, educators can focus more on content quality and pedagogical impact. AI-driven video production not only democratises content creation but also ensures that educational materials can be rapidly updated and tailored to meet diverse learning needs.

 

In conclusion, integrating ChatGPT and AI voiceover technology in educational video production can enhance cognitive engagement, making learning more interactive and effective. This approach has significant pedagogical implications, offering a scalable solution for creating dynamic, current, and pedagogically focused educational content.