Resumo

The impact of the internet on education has been substantial and has even been posited as imposing an educational paradigm shift. While online learning provides benefits such as flexible session times and self-paced learning, internet-based learning has been criticized as invoking less engagement than other platforms. Indeed, taped lectures, instructional videos and even documentaries have all received significant criticism as not sustaining attention in an adequate manner. Accordingly, the hybrid domain of “edutainment” (didactics frequently presented by means of videos or short films, but with a notably entertaining context meant to enhance interest in the relevant didactics) has begun to receive greater attention, even at prestigious academic centers. The ideal format for edutainmentbased presentations is however, unknown. In this regard, edutainment stories presented within an overly immersive dramatic narrative can notably distract the student from the didactics, thus the basic structure of formats which genuinely enhance the didactic impact of edutainment presentations require investigation. The current study presents a two-tiered narrative structure loosely embedded within a music-video-like collage employing variable degrees of divergent exposition and narrative in a manner that allows the student to more effectively process or acknowledge the didactics. This theoretical framework is proposed to constitute a moderately novel hybrid film genre (hybrid experimental, music video formatted, educational docufiction, or HEMVFED), and initial investigation suggests that it is an effective edutainment format. Moreover, integration of HEMVFED edutainment videos with educational technology can refine and detail video content, thus imparting even greater didactic utility