The effectiveness of video-based education for marine conservation

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2025-05

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As global marine ecosystems face increasing threats, educators must adopt effective strategies to promote conservation awareness and support responsible environmental behavior. Videos have become a key tool in marine education programs, yet few studies have examined their effectiveness or outlined best practices for implementation. This study explores the role of video-based education in two marine programs: the Hanauma Bay Education Program (HBEP) in Hawaiʻi and the Coral Triangle Center (CTC) in Bali, Indonesia, to assess how videos influence visitor engagement, knowledge retention, and conservation behavior. I addressed three key objectives: (1) evaluate the effectiveness of videos in orienting, guiding, and educating visitors, (2) identify which aspects of videos enhance their effectiveness, and (3) determine best practices for implementing videos in marine education programs. I used a mixed-methods approach that included a literature review, visitor surveys at HBEP, video engagement analytics from CTC, and the production and deployment of educational videos at CTC. At HBEP, 96 percent of visitors reported that visuals helped them understand key concepts, and 85 percent said the video influenced their behavior in the water. Respondents most often remembered messages related to Hawaiian culture, marine life etiquette, and reef protection. Visitors also suggested adding practical tips, reef deterioration animations, and more footage of marine species. At CTC, I produced and edited eight short-form videos and supported 17 social media posts on the Saving Oceans Now Instagram account. These efforts led to a major increase in engagement, with likes, shares, and comments rising from 1,273 in April to June 2023 to 34,157 in April to July 2024, and total profile views reaching 76,906. Youth-centered, localized videos such as the Ocean Keeper Club recap performed best. Strategic practices such as optimizing post schedules, tailoring content to Indonesian users aged 25 to 34, and boosting posts significantly improved visibility and interaction. Findings demonstrate that video-based education effectively conveys marine conservation messages, especially when using compelling visuals, narrative storytelling, and interactive elements. This research contributes best practices for marine educators and offers a guidesheet for organizations aiming to strengthen environmental outreach through video.

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Marine education, Multimedia education, Environmental awareness, Educational impact, Video implementation, Marine Conservation, Audio-visual education, Art and Science, Pacific Ocean--Coral Triangle

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17 Pages

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Hawaii
Indonesia

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Rights

CC BY-NC 4.1

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DeBenedictis, Emma, C.

Local Contexts

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