Does Video Actually Improve Learning and Engagement?

There is no shortage stats on video content, find out how it can improve learning and engagement with your audience.

Does Video Actually Improve Learning and Engagement

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The human brain prefers videos because it retains visual content better than text. Given that, it is not surprising that video consumption has skyrocketed over the past few years. 

According to some recent video marketing statistics, video accounted for over 80% of downstream traffic on the internet in 2020. 

Moreover, people watch an average of 16 hours of online video per week.

Precisely because of that, video content plays a fundamental role in a variety of industries, from retail to digital marketing. Unsurprisingly, education is no exception.

Video content is more personal and easier to remember. By combining text, speech, and visuals, video creates more engaging sensory experiences. Videos facilitate multiple dimensions of learner engagement, including behavioral, emotional, social, and cognitive.

In this article, we discuss the benefits of video in learning education. You will also learn how to get the most out of this content form.

The Benefits of Video Content

Video benefits both educators and learners in multiple ways. Here are some of them.

Increasing Memorability and Information Retention

Video-based learning materials combine text, speech, and images, making it easier to keep learners focused and engaged. 

Videos also allow educators to get to the point faster. That allows for faster and more efficient information acquisition.

Most importantly, videos do not need to be complex. Simple video forms, such as pairing audio with images and text graphics, would provide a high degree of visualization. By pairing audio with visuals, our brains comprehend and memorize information faster.

Providing the Room for Collaboration and Team Work

Video content encourages learner communication and collaboration. That is particularly important in corporate settings, where experiential learning is critical. 

For example, during employee training, you could show a video exploring a hard-to-explain concept. Next, you could ask employees to discuss the topic and provide examples. 

That way, learners participate actively in the learning process and stay engaged. They would be thrilled to share their experiences and hear from their peers.

Offering Greater Accessibility

With the rise of mobile devices, cloud platforms, and fast internet connections, videos have become a go-to resource for learners. They can watch them from multiple devices and locations. 

Let’s take the example of YouTube, the most popular video platform. Over time, it has become a significant learning tool. According to research studies, over 50% of viewers use this platform to learn a new skill. All resources are easily accessible and available to everyone. Users can find a wide range of relevant tutorials and resources within minutes.

That way, videos provide an impressive level of flexibility to learners. They offer greater convenience and improve learner satisfaction. Given that, it is not surprising that they have become a key learning tool since the beginning of Coronavirus. 

Promoting Engagement

Video-based learning sparks curiosity and motivates students. For example, it enhances learning experiences, boosts student motivation, and improves teamwork and communication skills. 

Above all, video content offers a profound understanding of the subject. That way, students learn enthusiastically and more actively. They communicate, debate, ask questions, and draw better conclusions.

Precisely because of that, videos in education need to be short, relevant, and memorable. The optimal duration of an educational video is approximately six minutes. Long-form videos may overwhelm students and harm their engagement rate.

Greater Adjustability and Personalization

Videos allow users to learn at their own pace. They can watch and re-watch videos as many times as needed to understand the topic and memorize information. Moreover, they can pause the video whenever they need to and consume it via multiple devices, platforms, and locations. 

How to Get the Most out of Educational Videos?

There are various forms of educational videos. When creating one, make sure it is relevant to learners and engaging. It needs to be short, easy-to-understand, and relatable. 

Here are a few things to know.

For starters, short educational videos are more engaging than longer ones. According to studies, engagement drops after six minutes. 

Sometimes, complex topics cannot be covered in six minutes. TED Talks, for example, are 18-minutes long. If your video content falls into this category, consider user engagement when creating it. Remember that, when videos are long, some users do not stay till the end. Also, lengthy videos are not good for mobile learners since they consume a lot of data. Therefore, when creating thorough learning materials, consider breaking them down into several segments that are less than six minutes.

While the length of your videos is essential, keep in mind that content is still king. To engage your target audiences, always make sure your videos are relevant, data-backed, and fresh. It should deliver value from beginning to end and keep learners engaged.

Finally, personal and relatable videos are more engaging than high-quality studio recordings. Record educational videos on your own instead of using premade ones. Create them in informal settings to simulate in-person interactions with students. That is particularly important in online classrooms which often lack personalization. With a wide array of video editing solutions, you can make engaging videos without hiring professionals. 

When creating videos, insert your talking head to make your lectures more engaging and humanized.

Video Content Is Effective but often not Enough

Video content is a powerful learning tool but it is often not enough. Namely, it is perfect for showing processes, explaining procedures, providing instructions, etc. For example, in sports trainings, video helps users learn the basics and improve skills by watching tutorials created by professionals. However, they will also need to read instruction guides and practice a lot.

Most importantly, educators need to support video content with the right assessment strategy. The goal is to know whether learners have understood the content. For example, you could include open-ended questions, create quizzes, and use response cards.  

Over to You

If you are wondering whether video can improve learner engagement, the answer is yes.

With the help of video content, educators can take student performance to a whole new level. Video ensures learners memorize data faster, improves the availability of learning materials, and promotes engagement. Above all, it provides highly individualized learning experiences.

 

How do you use video technologies to improve learning and engagement?