How Short-Video Platforms Can Enhance Your Learning Experience

YOUR NAME
SUBJECT AND SECTION
PROFESSOR’S NAME
DATE OF SUBMISSION
Introduction
Using the Internet has been part of one’s daily routine in today’s generation whether it be for educational use, business, news update, or for entertainment due to its usefulness, reliability, and easy accessibility. It contains almost all of the information that a person might want to know or need as it is considered as one of the easiest tools to communicate with other people. With the advancement of this technology, educational activities have been taking place in online communities where knowledge can be shared between users. The sharing of content among users in online communities has all sprang up from a platform called Web 2.0 which also gave rise to social media. Social media networks alone have several advantages and usage which led to the creation of other applications that have similar features with social media. An example of this is the short-video platform which does not only have features of social media but also enables the user to create and browse short videos. Tiktok is a representative of this platform. Therefore, this paper aims to provide insights into the uses of short-video platforms and how it offers collaborative learning to its users to enhance and improve their learning experience.
Collaborative learning on Web 2.0 and Social media
Almost everyone in this modern and advanced world spends much of their time engaging on their latest phones, tablets, or laptops to access a website without actually knowing the awesome tool behind that. In this generation, technologies and services on the web all comprised Web 2.0. This so-called Web 2.0 involves sites for social networking, blogs, tools for communication, wikis, and folksonomies. This application platform is recognized as dynamic and highly interactive as it offers services to users which are centered on content sharing. Several popular applications have resulted from Web 2.0 such as Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. Through this platform, online users can work together in generating input and information and facilitate the sharing of knowledge via the Internet community (Murugesan, 2007).
Social media is considered as a direct derivative of Web 2.0. Developed from the foundations of Web 2.0, both technologically and ideologically, social media pertains to a group of applications that are Internet-based wherein the generation and exchange of user-generated content (UGC) is permitted. In addition to this, Bowley defined social media as “collaborative online applications and technologies which enable and encourage participation, conversation, openness, creation and socialization amongst a community of users” (2009).
Humans are known to be “social beings.” As a result of this, the internet has been evolving from being a tool that offers information to be a platform where people can socially interact, communicate, and be in touch with each other’s lives. The creation of social networks has enabled individuals to access online services wherein one can create a profile that can be viewed by other users within an entrenched net system. In addition to this, the users are able to share information with each other, interchange likes and dislikes, and have a discussion about almost anything that they desire with others in the system. Social networks offer various kinds of interactions and expand relationships with others. Moreover, the social network is widely used today referring to social media websites that enable users to share reviews, photos, and other information. The most famous and commonly used social media platforms are Facebook, Twitter, Skype, LinkedIn, Tumblr, and YouTube. These platforms served as social communities wherein users can communicate and develop connections virtually (Diomidous et al, 2016).
A social network is defined as a social structure that is created for several factors which include individuals or groups of individuals. In terms of internet usage, social media are considered as a platform that sustains social relations among its users, usually the active members of the social network who share common interests or hobbies (Gross, Juvonen, &Gable, 2002). These websites provide services on the web to users where one can create profiles, upload and download pictures as well as videos, interact with other users through comments or shares, and can send and receive messages instantly, personal or in a group chat.
In terms of online interaction and collaboration, social media have become a medium for users wherein opportunities for sharing knowledge online are provided. Collaborative learning through the use of social media tends to provide an optimistic view among its users as it facilitates interactive learning and provides encouragement during the whole duration of knowledge-related activities (Manca & Ranieri, 2016). Behaviors involving knowledge on social media includes the creation of content as well as communicating with peers. In creating content on social media, users are able to simultaneously obtain information passively and actively produce User Generated Content or UGC. Social media is characterized by the creation of UGC. Through this, users in social media space are now able to partake in making, commenting, editing, distributing, and evaluating unique content (Lerman, 2007). Concerning communication among peers, communication is necessary for the exchange of knowledge among peers. With the use of social media, real-time communications and social interactions have become possible among online users as illustrated in various forms such as personal messaging and audio or video calling, making it an effective platform for sharing of knowledge (Gordeyeva, 2010).
Short video platform
Short videos are one of the things that have sprung up from social media especially with the advanced and dynamic web 2.0. The type of media which is shared and exchanged online depends mostly on the form of application that is used. Applications such as YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter all have different functions such as text message, photo, and video sharing. A lot of various application platforms are now emerging which allow users to share and exchange various forms of media online. As a result, short video platforms were developed which has become a popular medium for sharing short duration videos.
A short video, in its strictest and traditional sense, is any video that does not exceed ten-minute duration. Videos that exceed the ten-minute limit are already considered long-form. Short videos have become a trending form to gain new information and knowledge while sharing different skills and crafts. Research shows that the relative convenience of content generation, rapid content transmission, and emphasis on sociality are the distinct attributes of a short video platform (Zhao, 2015).
Uses of short-video platform
With the existence of communication technologies in this world, it makes everyone’s life easier. Short-video platforms have several purposes that help people such as personal consumption, business promotions, entertainment, income generation, and learning.
* Business
Social Media can influence a lot of people that’s why it is one of the best platforms to use in promoting something or someone. Businesses, whether small scale or large, incorporate short videos as part of their promotional activities and marketing strategies to introduce or enhance their brand or identity to the market. Video advertisements or ads are noted to be effective if they have shorter durations. Most users no longer have the patience to view lengthy videos to grasp the content. To add, people are now having short attention spans, and viewing on mobile phones and gadgets welcome a lot of distraction. In social media, videos are considered as the most shared content. If people can relate to the message being delivered by the video, they will share it. Thus, enhancing the business’ access to more audience and potential customers. Delivery of these videos to reach target markets will be easier (Shears, 2017).
* Personal use
The thing with social media, it can be used anytime and anywhere with just your phone. Alongside business purposes, short video platforms are becoming popular for users in sharing content for entertainment, income generation, and learning for one’s own personal benefit.
* Entertainment
With the unique minds and creativity of the people in this generation, a lot has been relying on social media when it comes to setting up their mood or emotions. Primarily, the goal of setting up short video platforms is for entertainment. With people hooked on their mobile phones, these platforms provide a community for users to share funny or serious content through self-expression and creativity. Passive users or those who only wish to view or watch uploads and do not have time or interest to interact with other members are welcomed in this kind of set-up. Trends change in days or weeks and receive virtual support through hashtags and re-uploads. Creative sides and talents of users are showcased through their own uploads.
* Income generation
Users with a wide audience and engagements are using this platform to generate income. Most websites pay video creators every time an ad is placed in their videos. Another means to gain revenue is to directly sell videos to media partners and clients with options to rent, buy, or subscribe at reasonable prices. Some websites also pay their users or content creators every time they upload short, original videos. (Ashutosh, 2017)
* Learning
The Internet will always be an option for learners to gain knowledge because of its wide scope and a lot of reliable information. Along with the advancement of technology, contents shared through short-video platforms are also changing. Initially, these platforms have provided users with entertainment in the form of videos. However, it has been recently noted that content creators have been motivated to create videos not only to entertain, but also to educate, creating a platform for both entertainment and learning. Short-video platforms have not only integrated visual images to knowledge but also made knowledge accessible for every user of the platform. With the utilization of social media platforms, short videos can be integrated with creative instructional materials as well as features allowing users to ask questions, post comments, and provide feedback, thus, reshaping a new environment for learning. Through these various educational-related features and functions of the video platforms, the learning experience of a user can be more enhanced and improved. Activities involving learning and sharing are made possible in online communities due to collaborative platforms through the accessibility of social media and communication technologies.
According to studies, it has been shown how sharing of knowledge can be facilitated with the use of short video platforms through social media. This is by providing a platform where people can socially interact, experiences can be shared, relationships can be built through connections research, providing greater opportunities for networks, and mutual swift trust. Several explanations have been cited to justify the success of social media in assisting educational activities done with the use of short video platform. Take interpersonal interaction as an example. For knowledge to be efficiently transferred, interaction among individuals is necessary. This is also applied among various kinds of online communities wherein close interactions are vital for knowledge to be distributed efficiently. Moreover, online communities can provide a conducive environment for learning wherein...