In a rapidly evolving landscape of education and training, video learning has fast become a critical engagement tool. As the global e-learning market expects to reach $336.98 billion by next year, tripling industry revenue since 2000, the need for flexible, accessible, and engaging learning methods has grown, too.
While video learning is essential for educators, trainers, and content creators alike, not all videos are created equal. Understanding how to develop a quality educational video that engages your audience involves more than pressing “record” on a camera. So, what is video learning and how can you use it to enhance learning in your organization?
What is video learning?
Video learning, also known as video-based learning or e-learning through videos, is a method of education and training that leverages visual and auditory elements to convey information. At its core, video learning involves the creation and utilization of video content as a primary way to deliver educational material. This can encompass a wide range of formats, including recorded lectures, tutorials, demonstrations, and interactive video modules.
Unlike traditional text-based learning, video learning provides a multi-sensory experience, allowing learners to take in information through both sight and sound, making it a more immersive and engaging educational tool.
In video learning, educators and content creators leverage the power of visuals, animations, and real-life examples to illustrate concepts, making complex ideas more accessible and comprehensible.
The flexibility of video learning also allows learners to access content at their own pace and convenience, breaking away from the constraints of traditional direct instruction settings. Whether used for formal education, professional training, or self-paced learning, video learning has emerged as a transformative force in education, shaping the way individuals acquire knowledge and skills.
Video learning examples
There are countless ways to incorporate video in the classroom, but you still may wonder, "How?" Here are five predominant video-based learning examples to get you started.
1. Instructional videos
Introduce new concepts for projects or assignments with video! Easily pre-record content to break up synchronous styles and reach more learners asynchronously.
2. Video lectures
Conventional lecture methods contribute to learner fatigue. Create dynamic video lectures with to fuel content retention, engagement, and performance.
3. Animated videos
Foster creativity through visuals, motion graphics, digital narratives, textures, and so much more. Nurture video creation skills by showing learners how to create their own video projects.
4. Video slideshows
Passive content creates passive outcomes. Tired of the same-old slideshow song and dance? Revamp with engaging video slideshows! Make a montage with audio clips, music, images, motion titles, and so much more.
5. Interactive videos
Interactive videos create measurable engagement experiences via, well, interactivity! Incorporate elements like: multiple-choice, web embeds, fill-in-the-blanks, check-alls, quizzes, and more. Take videos beyond the conventional "pause, play, and rewind" features, then measure and assess progress, remediate, and repeat.
As you begin using videos regularly, you'll see how essential (and easy) it is to layer interactivity throughout them. So! Teachers can make videos, students can make videos, anyone can use video to fuel effective learning outcomes.
Intuitively, video-based learning and innovation go hand-in-hand. Make video instruction a consistent practice and you can't go wrong.
Pro tip: Need some more quick, engaging assignment ideas? Be sure to check out our guide: 10 Creative Teacher Resources to Bring Video into Your Classroom.
Benefits of video-based learning
Video learning is a legitimate and effective form of education. Here’s how it enriches learning and enhances skill development:
- It cultivates deeper learning: Unlike rote memorization, educational videos engage learners in multiple ways—through visual and audio effects, and with interactivity. It unlocks higher-order thinking and allows students to truly absorb information.
- It increases learner retention: Researchers believe that without reinforcement or connection to previous knowledge, students can forget more than half of what they learn within an hour. Video learning allows for repetition and association-building, which in turn increases the odds of retaining and using new information for the long haul.
- It puts the learner first: Unlike in-person lectures or training, videos don’t have to be a real-time resource. That means learners can watch them over and over again—in study hall, at home, or on the bus—until they grasp whatever it is they’re struggling with. They can also rewind, pause, or fast-forward at their leisure.
Video learning helps keeps learners engaged.
15 strategies for effective video learning
Want your classroom to reap the benefits of video but aren’t sure where to begin? We’ve got you covered. Here are 15 ways to make the most of video learning:
1. Create engaging videos
The more enticing your video, the greater its impact, so give your content some flare. Come up with a delightful color scheme, add graphics, drop in a well-timed sound effect. Whatever you do, don’t stress: With WeVideo, the creative process is super easy.
2. Make it a collaborative event
Don’t hog all the fun! Task your learners with creating videos—or helping you to create a video—and watch as they build subject-based knowledge and become content experts while owning a part of the process.
What’s more, WeVideo’s collaborative multimedia creation tools lets you dive into multimedia projects right alongside your learners, which means you can offer them feedback as they go. All of this serves to build leadership skills and overall knowledge in your learners.
3. Make videos interactive
If you want to engage your learners in a more meaningful and dynamic way, you need to make your videos interactive. Start by adding pop-up questions (multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, etc.) throughout your videos. If custom interactivity sounds like a heavy lift, fear not: with WeVideo, you can add interactive elements on top of any video on the internet—not just one that you make yourself.
4. Add a digital poll to live-action learning
In instances where you plan to teach from the proverbial blackboard, consider how you can incorporate an audience response system that lets your learners take live polls as you go. That way you won’t be talking at your students—and even the introverted learners can participate freely. By utilizing this active learning strategy your learners can engage with the content at a deeper level and will learn more than they would have through a passive lecture.
5. Try animated videos
Explainer videos can help break down hard-to-explain subjects more effectively than text. But animated explainers in particular are a powerful way to illustrate complex or abstract topics (“How does the immune system work?” “How does this system work at our company?”).
They’re visually satisfying, driven by storytelling, and easier to process than a dense few paragraphs or even a talking head.
6. Create instructional videos
YouTube wouldn’t have 2.5 billion users if how-to videos weren’t such a popular resource. Tap into their ubiquity with instructional videos of your own. Want to show students how to safely use a Bunsen burner, for example? Record an instructional video that they can watch ahead of class (or refer back to when they need a refresher).
Developing a library of how-to videos also frees up your time. Rather than explain the same concept over and over again, you can simply send a link to the learner directly and ask them if they have any questions after watching the video. For training or learning that will be repeated, video learning also allows consistency, ensuring that everyone gets the same message.
Pro tip: Video learning is a great way to introduce the flipped classroom model to your instruction.
7. Embrace microlearning
A video doesn’t have to be long for it to be effective. On the contrary, microlearning—a method of instruction that focuses on one learning objective at a time—posits that bite-sized content is better because it allows learners to absorb small chunks of information at a time.
Instead of putting together a 20-minute video that explains everything there is to know about a topic, execute on a shorter, more contained topic. You can also start by creating a long video and then share clips of the video as needed to enhance learning.
8. Build a living video-based learning library
You don’t need to develop a video for every concept; start small, pick one or two high-leverage areas, and create a video. Building a video learning library is a marathon, not a sprint. By slowly incorporating video into your teaching or professional development work you will begin to learn the ins-and-outs of video creation while providing meaningful resources for your learners.
9. Ask learners to show their work
Video learning doesn’t have to be a one-way street! Have learners record their screens and demonstrate how they solve a problem or complete a skill in real-time.
Screen recording not only allows for interactivity and deeper thinking, but it can also shed light on any misunderstandings or confusion your learners might be experiencing, making it possible for you to address problems sooner rather than later.
10. Workshop your material
Once you’ve created your content, kick it to others for feedback. With WeVideo, you can easily weave peer review into your process: Set up a forum for collaborators to chime in with thoughts, create small groups for brainstorming ideas, or invite trusted colleagues to leave time-stamped comments on your content.
11. Use time-saving lesson plans
Strapped for time, short on ideas, or both? Take advantage of WeVideo's Assignment Ideas Library, loaded with ready-to-rock, standards-aligned projects. Simply browse, snag an assignment, save to customize, and share. Phew, easy!
12. Switch up environments with green screen
Want to teach from the moon, a mountain, stock assets, or with your own background footage? You can do all of those things and more (and so can your students) with WeVideo's green screen.
13. Make data-driven decisions
Though videos are generally more fun and engaging than textbooks, video learning is strategic. Use data to track performance, engagement, progress, and target specific outcomes.
14. Combine thematic videos into playlists
Got multiple videos with similar content? Create a customized playlist to personalize and modularize instruction.
15. Use dynamic video learning templates
Not a designer? You don't have to be! Take advantage of ready-made education templates to customize and share for self or student introductions, presentations, lectures, and more.
Bottom line
In a tech-driven, post-pandemic world, video-based learning isn't just preferred, it's expected. Whether used for professional development, in the classroom, or for personal use, having diverse video learning strategies only fuels its effectiveness.
Of course, for beginners, it can feel overwhelming to put video learning into practice. By implementing the 15 strategies outlined above, you can start to develop useful video content that enhances learning and saves time in the long run.
If you’re feeling a bit nervous to start, know we're here to help and you're probably more creatively inclined than you may think. Take it one step at a time and get ready to unlock the endless creative possibilities before you.