Student Perceptions and Preferences Regarding AI-Generated Instructional Videos in Computing Education

2026-07-30

AI Summary

This study addresses the limited understanding of how students perceive and prefer AI-generated instructional videos in computing education, a gap that hinders their effective integration. We presented 170 computing students with AI-generated tutorial videos produced by Knowlify and subsequently surveyed their attitudes and preferences regarding video quality, accuracy, usability, and educational application. Results reveal that nearly half of the participants failed to recognize the videos as AI-generated and generally rated them as high-quality and useful; however, they expressed reservations about large-scale classroom deployment, favoring their use for simpler, supplementary, and visualization-heavy content. As the first investigation centered on students’ authentic perceptions and acceptance, this work provides empirical evidence to inform the judicious deployment of AI-generated videos in computing education.

Abstract

Students differ in how they prefer to engage with learning resources, with some favoring textual materials and others visual or video-based content. Recent advances in generative AI have led CS education research to focus on text-based AI tools for developing learning resources. However, advances in AI video models and the rapid proliferation of AI video generation tools have made it possible for instructors to create high-quality personalized educational videos efficiently and cost-effectively. Understanding students' perceptions of AI-generated videos is thus critical for helping CS instructors know when and how to use them purposefully. To address this gap, we conducted a descriptive post-test survey study in which 170 computing students at two U.S. institutions watched three 3-minute AI videos on the Markdown markup language created with Knowlify. Students then completed a survey about their perceptions of the Markdown videos and their broader views on the use of AI-generated videos in education. Students rated the Markdown videos as high-quality, accurate, and usable, with nearly half unable to determine whether the videos were AI-generated. At the same time, students expressed limited comfort with the widespread adoption of AI videos in the classroom. They preferred AI videos for simple, supplemental, and visual use cases, while expressing concerns about lower-quality or inaccurate content, reduced instructor interaction, and diminished educational value.

Problem

• AI-generated videos
• student perceptions
• computing education
• instructional videos
• generative AI

Innovation

• AI-generated videos
• computing education
• student perceptions
• generative AI
• instructional video