Short-Form Video Interventions: Evaluating Student Engagement, Achievement, and Attitude towards Science Within Secondary Schools of Jalingo Metropolis, Nigeria

Traditional teaching methods dominate science classrooms in Jalingo Metropolis, Taraba State, Nigeria, failing to engage digital-native learners. This study investigated the effectiveness of short-form video (SFV) instructional techniques on secondary school students’ science comprehension. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design was utilized, sampling 240 Secondary School Two science students across six public secondary schools taught difficult biology concepts (cell biology and genetics). Data were collected using three validated instruments: the Science Concept Achievement Test (KR-20 = .81), the Short-Form Video Engagement Scale (α = .84), and the Students' Attitude towards Science through Video Questionnaire (α = .79). Descriptive statistics and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) tested the hypotheses at p < .05. Results revealed that students taught with SFV obtained significantly higher posttest achievement scores than the control group, F(1, 237) = 61.52, p = .000. SFV students also reported higher engagement and more favorable attitudes toward science. Gender did not significantly interact with achievement and cognitive-behavioural engagement, but significantly interacted with attitudes toward science, favoring male students. Despite benefits, main SFV-mediated science engagement inhibitors included unstable internet access (83%), expensive mobile data (76%), lack of Nigerian context-based content (68%), and platform distraction (61%). The study concludes that SFV with appropriate pedagogical frameworks can serve as an effective supplementary science teaching tool in semi-urban Northern Nigerian classrooms, provided that critical infrastructure and content quality challenges are resolved.

short-form video, science education, biology pedagogy, student engagement, Jalingo Metropolis

1. Abualrob, M. M. A. (2025). TikTok for science learning: The interplay of TikTok as an educational tool, usability, satisfaction, skills, and future impact. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 24(4). https://ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=1346573 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Agoro, A. A., & Akinoso, S. O. (2022). Undergraduate science education students' social media usage in Lagos State. Nigerian Online Journal of Educational Sciences and Technology (NOJEST), 4(1), 218–225. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice Hall. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Chen, S., & Brewer, P. R. (2025). Representation in ScienceTok: Communicator identities, message content, and user engagement on a short-form video social media platform. International Journal of Communication, 19, 1207–1227. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Sage. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. DataReportal. (2025). Digital 2025: Nigeria. https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2025-nigeria [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. De la Peña-Fernández, L., & Zapata-Martínez, I. (2025). Social media integration in medical training: Behavioral impact of short-form video creation as an active learning tool. Frontiers in Medicine. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2025.1574618 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. D'Souza-Rushton, G. C., Long, J. W., & Denmon, A. (2025). Nutrition education 'shorts': The effect of short-form media on conveying information about improving diet quality. Nutrients. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17060954 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Fredricks, J. A., Blumenfeld, P. C., & Paris, A. H. (2004). School engagement: Potential of the concept, state of the evidence. Review of Educational Research, 74(1), 59–109. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543074001059 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Haliti-Sylaj, T., & Sadiku, A. (2024). Impact of short reels on attention span and academic performance of undergraduate students. Eurasian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 10(3), 60–68. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. IIARI. (2023). Uses and gratifications of TikTok platform among university undergraduates. International Institute for Advanced Research and Innovation. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. JetFuel Agency. (2026, June 3). How to optimize short-form video in 2026 (TikTok, Reels, Shorts). https://jetfuel.agency/how-to-optimize-short-form-video-content-for-success/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Kim, J. (2024). Short-form video use and sustained attention: A narrative review. Journal of Digital Media & Cognition, 12(2), 145–158. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/397712802_Short-form_Video_Use_and_Sustained_Attention_A_Narrative_Review_2019-2025 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Kirkpatrick, R., & Lawrie, S. (2024). Navigating the digital health engine: Short-form video platforms as primary information infrastructures for young users. Journal of Digital Health Studies, 12(2), 145–162. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Mayer, R. E. (2020). Multimedia learning (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Miraflow AI. (2026a, March 24). TikTok best practices 2026: Complete guide for creators. https://miraflow.ai/blog/tiktok-best-practices-2026-complete-guide-creators [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Miraflow AI. (2026b, February 10). YouTube Shorts best practices in 2026: A complete guide. https://miraflow.ai/blog/youtube-shorts-best-practices-2026-complete-guide [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Morais, C. (2026). Scrolling through science: How accurate is science content on TikTok? Journal of Science Communication. https://jcom.sissa.it/article/pubid/JCOM_2502_2026_A03/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. National Population Commission. (2023). Nigeria demographic and population projections, 2023. NPC. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Ndlovu, M., & Khumalo, S. (2026). A descriptive study on social media as a supplementary tool for teaching and learning in engineering graphics and design. In Digital Pedagogies in Modern Higher Education (pp. 89–104). Springer. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44217-026-01148-y [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Paivio, A. (1971). Imagery and verbal processes. Holt, Rinehart, and Winston. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Prindle, C. R., Orchanian, N. M., Venkataraman, L., & Nuckolls, C. (2024). Short-form videos as an emerging social media tool for STEM edutainment. Journal of Chemical Education, 101(3), 1319–1324. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c01185 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Reelbase. (2026, February 6). Short-form video strategy: TikTok, Reels & Shorts. https://reelbase.io/blog/mastering-short-form-video [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Rein, B. (2023). Making science education more accessible: A case study of TikTok's utility as a science communication tool. Neuroscience, 530, 192–200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.08.021 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Schmidt, L., & Tanaka, K. (2026). A systematic review of video-based SRL interventions: Fostering self-regulated learning through the TASK framework. Education Sciences, 14(2), 33–51. https://www.mdpi.com/2079-3200/14/2/33 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Shamloul, M. A. (2024). Short-form videography exposure's impact on the cognitive function and academic performance of high school students. The Young Researcher. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Shriver-Rice, M., Fernandes, J., Johns, L. N., Riopelle, C., & Vaughan, H. (2022). Young adults' reactions and engagement with short-form videos on sea level rise. Environmental Communication, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2021.1963800 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Song, X., Zhang, Y., & Liu, M. (2021). Algorithmic amplification and misinformation in short-form video feeds: A multi-platform analysis. Computers in Human Behavior, 123, Article 106890. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Springer, J. (2025). TikTok global user statistics 2025. Springer Digital Analytics Report. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Storytella Studios. (2026, January 12). The complete guide to short-form video: TikTok, Reels, Shorts. https://storytellastudios.com/2026/01/12/the-complete-guide-to-short-form-video/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Taraba State Secondary Education Board. (2024). Record of enrolment in senior secondary schools, 2024/2025 academic session. TSSEB. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Unfried, A., Faber, M., Stanhope, D. S., & Wiebe, E. (2015). The development and validation of a measure of student attitudes toward science, technology, engineering, and math (S-STEM). Journal of Psycho-educational Assessment, 33(7), 622–639. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734282915571160 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Vasistha, S., Kanchibhatla, A., Blanchette, J. E., Rieke, J., & Hughes, S. S. (2025). The sugar-coated truth: The quality of diabetes health information on TikTok. Clinical Diabetes, 43(1), 53–61. https://doi.org/10.2337/cd24-0042 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Vidal, G., & Martinez, F. (2024). The importance of short video technology usage on student learning engagement. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 52(3), 312–329. https://scispace.com/papers/the-importance-of-short-video-technology-usage-on-student-o0gtot48t9 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. West African Examinations Council. (2023). Chief examiner's report: Biology (May/June SSCE). WAEC. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. World Bank. (2024). Digital skills in Nigeria: A summary of the population's digital competencies. World Bank. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Zhu, Z., Liu, S., & Zhang, R. (2023). Examining the persuasive effects of health communication in short videos: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research. https://doi.org/10.2196/46900 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study