How can video make learning more effective?

Video-based learning has become increasingly popular due to its ability of using both auditory and visual cues. As technology is advancing, learning content is easily accessible and the use of video allows individuals to learn in a more effective way. In this CPD article, we will be providing a short overview of what video-based learning is, ways to improve learning by using video and give some helpful tips on creating effective educational videos.

What is video-based learning theory?

Video-based learning, as the name implies, is a form of e-learning that allows individuals to gain skills and knowledge via a video. With the ability to combine camera footage, text, graphics, animation and audio, videos create a multi-sensory experience which is unlike any other type of eLearning format. Since computers and platforms such as YouTube have been around, video has become a dominant way to teach and learn new information whether at school, home, or even in the workplace.

Benefits of video-based learning

The advances of video technology have been accelerated due to the wide adoption and use of devices such as mobile phones, tablets, computers etc. Video based courses and learning is now readily available for many people across the world. Below are some of the key benefits of video-based learning:

Interactive - Videos are an interactive way of learning. Individuals are likely to engage and retain more information with video-based learning in contrast to other methods and this makes it easier to digest course content. Learning can be participation-based, meaning the attendee will have to make decisions to move forward with the training session. This ensures that learners’ attention is not diverted as they have to actively listen to what is being taught.

Reach a wider audience -  It is important, especially with international businesses to be able to provide adequate training for employees across the world. Video-based learning is a great way to ensure all individuals are receiving similar learning regardless of where they are currently based. Learning through video means a higher level of consistency, quality, and accessibility without worrying about variation between content or quality of trainers.

Reduces costs - Videos are a great option not only for the individual, but also for their employer too. One of the main benefits of video-based learning is the lower costs to get started. Typically content is able to be accessed from anywhere, meaning a video can be made in house, with many people based in different locations or who speak different languages being able to access and benefit from that specific video.

Flexibility - Videos are portable, which offers an incredible level of flexibility to both instructors/teachers and individual learners. Attendees can access videos on the concepts they may wish to learn, and training videos are able to be accessed at any time, meaning students are able to go back at a later time to re-watch in case they missed a bit, or would like further clarification.

Simple ways to improve learning with video

Learning can be improved in a few different ways when using videos. Generally speaking our brains retain more information when watching a video compared to reading text, however the amount of information included within the video matters. If a lot of information is given at the same time, it is more difficult to retain it all. When creating a learning or educational video, recording shorter, bite-sized sessions rather than a full length session allows certain topics to be accessed easier as there will be more time to cover multiple topics or objectives.

As a simple rule of thumb, it has been found that learners preferred video lengths to be around 5-15 minutes in duration. Microlearning videos are target-specific and are an effective form of video-based learning. You can find out more about this type of learning in our previous article.

To ensure that people are actively listening and retaining the information, it is a good idea to include a question or quiz section once the video has ended. This will allow people to ask any questions they may have regarding the learning. These questions can be used to your advantage too, as if there’s a question that constantly comes up, you can take that information and include it within the next learning video.

Tips on creating effective educational videos

Nowadays, you don’t need expensive or equipment to create an effective video and you probably already have access to most of the tools you need. Creating educational videos are a great way to help train employees or individual learners in an efficient way, but how do you know if the educational videos are actually effective? With that being said, here are some tips on creating effective educational videos.

Tip 1 - Start with a plan

Learning videos should have a clear objective and you should know what you would like the video to accomplish from an educational standpoint. The information within the video should be relayed clearly, which is why it is useful to have a script when recording and creating your training videos.

Tip 2 - Build video-ready slides

To make sure the educational video is informative, it is useful to include visuals as well as sounds. By prioritising images and narration over any text or subtitles on the screen, learners should usually engage and retain more of what is being taught.

Tip 3 – Keep it short

As mentioned earlier, it is beneficial for both trainer and trainee if the videos are short rather than longer. It is often found that it can more difficult to maintain focus on educational videos that are longer in duration. Therefore it is best to aim for the videos to be around 5-15 minutes in length to improve learner' attention.

Tip 4- Have fun with it

When recording an educational video, it could be good to include some humour or interesting visual effects as this can help to improve overall engagement. If the video content or subject matter is too serious, boring to watch or follow along with, then learning may not be as effective and individuals may lose interest in the lesson.

Where to find CPD video-based learning

Within the CPD Courses Catalogue there are thousands of certified CPD courses and training to help professionals gain the necessary skills needed in their industry, with many of these now being video-based learning. If you would like to find out more about a particular CPD course listed on our website, you can click on each course and there is an enquiry form that will be sent directly to the relevant CPD provider.

Become an accredited CPD provider

We hope this article was helpful. Established in 1996, The CPD Certification Service has over 27 years’ experience providing CPD accreditation. With members in over 100 countries, our CPD providers benefit from the ability to promote themselves as part of an international community where quality is both recognised and assured.

If you are interested in offering training courses, seminars, workshops, eLearning, or educational events suitable for Continuing Professional Development, please visit the Become a CPD Provider page or contact our team to discuss in more detail. Alternatively, if you are looking for a free online CPD record tool to help manage, track and log your ongoing learning, as well as store your professional training records and attendance certificates in one simple place, go to the myCPD Portal page.