Interactive Mass Lecturing: The Use of Animated Videos to Enhance Active Learning in Business Ethics Subject

A common challenge shared by faculties teaching business ethics in mass lecture settings is how to engage students and promote active learning. Multimedia learning includes watching and listening to a narrated animation followed by meaningful discussion and debate is a powerful medium for channeling cognitive learning. This study aimed to explore the use of two-dimensional animated videos with simulated ethics scenarios as a teaching and learning strategy. The study was conducted in an “Introduction to Ethics” class for freshmen at a Business school in Hong Kong. The survey instrument used in this study was a post-lecture questionnaire comprised of 18 statements. 106 valid responses, at a response rate of 35%, were received. The results provided empirical evidence that animated instructional videos enhanced students' learning experience, including problem-solving ability, critical thinking skills, and a mind-set for personal development. In addition, students were actively engaged in the mass lecture through the tutor's facilitation of discussion and reflection opportunities using the Learning Management System. These findings deepen our current understanding of the pedagogical merits of animated videos to improve students' active learning motives. This study provides further insights into adopting animation technologies for a simulated learning environment.