Video is quickly becoming the standard e-learning format. In 2021, YouTube was reported to be the second most visited website after Google with over 2 billion users – that’s about a third of the Internet as a whole. This is because videos simply grab our attention, no matter how old we are or what we are interested in. There are plenty of reasons why video-based learning is so engaging. Let’s get into it.

What Exactly is Video-Based Learning?

Video-based learning refers to any learning experience facilitated through video. Videos can combine camera footage, animation, graphics, text, and audio, creating a multisensory learning experience that cannot be duplicated with a textbook or a lecture. This learning format isn’t just for kids, but for adults as well – videos are used in the classroom, but also in the workplace and at home.

Examples of Video-Based Learning

Video-based learning comes in a variety of formats. Each one serves a unique purpose. Some examples include:

Animated Explainers

Animated explainer videos are perfect for illustrating complex topics that would otherwise be difficult to convey. Video creators use visual tools to assist in describing an idea, which makes the information easier to process.

Expert-Led Explainer Videos

An explainer video gets an upgrade when it features an expert in a given industry. These videos typically emulate a lecture and create an inviting experience for the viewer. YouTube has tons of expert-led channels on all kinds of subjects. Viewers can learn almost anything with a YouTube video.  

Interactive Videos

Watching a video doesn’t always have to be a passive experience. Using interactive videos as a teaching method creates an immersive learning experience for viewers. For example, some workplace training programs use scenarios in which learners can participate as a character in the storyline and make hypothetical decisions.

Benefits of Video-Based Learning

Videos are obviously fun to watch, but there are some key benefits to this learning method that are important to note.

It Improves Learner Retention

The plethora of visual and audio effects used in videos keep viewers involved in the learning experience and may even require users to click or type responses. This makes it possible to engage learners through multiple senses, which not only creates a more stimulating experience but improves memory retention.

It Enables Microlearning

Videos do not need to last long to have a lasting impact. The people watching these videos could be young students, college students, or employees with a very busy day ahead. They may not have a long attention span or the time to watch a ten-minute video. That’s why sharing short educational videos can create a more meaningful experience in many situations. Short videos help to create a microlearning strategy – a way to learn with quick, easy-to-consume content.

It Makes Content More Accessible

These days, almost everyone has a smartphone and uses it to access whatever information they need daily. That’s why it’s vital for e-learning professionals to optimize their content for both large and small screens. Using video as a learning format enables anyone with Internet access to view the material.

It Enables On-Demand Learning

Students need widely accessible learning content when they find themselves stuck in a class. Employees need access to learning content at all times of day or night, depending on the job they have and their location. Videos are perfect resources for this need, as they can be viewed wherever, whenever. Additionally, viewers can skip ahead or rewind to a specific part of a video they are looking for without having to watch the entire clip – so convenient.

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Why You Should Include Videos in Your Learning Strategy

Videos aren’t just a trendy e-learning tool – they’re here to stay. If you want to appeal to your students or your employees and provide them with the content they need to succeed, make sure you are using videos in your approach. Video content is the only learning format that offers extensive audio and visual options, making it easy for people of all ages and abilities to use it to their advantage. And as we keep offering remote classes and jobs, video content is essential to communicate certain ideas effectively. Incorporating video content into your school or office is going to energize those around you and provide them with the information they need to learn and grow.