Teaching modes in mathematical instructional videos: balance between specific effectiveness and educational utility

Abstract We present a proposal for the analysis of Internet video tutorials based on the Holistic-analytical and Verbal-imaginative cognitive styles. We will distinguish between aspects of teaching modes: Specific effectiveness (solving a problem here and now) and a Educational utility (solving a problem now and for related problems). From those aspects, we suggest the idea of the balance degree between them, that is, to solve a problem now, but with general and longer-term support. The characterization of video tutorials in different teaching modes could help the teachers’ choice of videos, according to their needs, decisions should be different. Besides we must not only consider the teachers’ view, but the potential increase in active and autonomous participation of students using properly chosen videos. To show the implication of our analysis, we compare the production of videos of well-known Spanish-speaking authors who exert great influence. Through some of this production, we expose the effects of the teaching modes in mathematical education.