Technology has undoubtedly shaped the tools we use to acquire new knowledge. Gone are the days when learning meant spending hours at the local library or attending long lectures.
In today’s age, both companies and educators work with video creators to help deliver information in a video format that makes the experience more engaging and accessible than ever.
Viewers are expecting more than just plain data from their video content, especially after the pandemic changes. And while this may sound daunting, it is also an opportunity to think about what the future of education will look like.
In this article, I will walk you through the main reasons why you might want to use videos in your e-learning platform. This post will help you understand not only why audiences love this format, but also how it will benefit your learning objectives.
We have all become accustomed to getting less attention. Apps like Instagram and Facebook have proven the success of short-form content and byte-size videos that are easy to digest.
The same goes for people learning online: they want to get as much information as possible in the shortest amount of time. And there’s no better tool to accomplish both than video content.
Video can condense and communicate information more effectively, which helps in faster learning. Imagine how long it would take you to read a product’s manual and watch a tutorial video with the same information. Time is precious, and you shouldn’t waste it!
Short videos usually focus on explaining an important concept or setting out a main objective of learning. This is why the preferred length is between 2 and 6 minutes. Any longer than that and your audience will struggle to maintain focus.
But, if you are planning a longer program for your online course or extended marketing campaign, you can break your longer section into smaller chapters. For example, the video version of this article can be broken down into five smaller parts that express single thoughts.
Improve user experience with storytelling
The key to successful communication lies in storytelling. Since the dawn of time, we humans are drawn to captivating stories that invite us to think, and that give us valuable lessons.
Instructional videos that use storytelling as an didactic tool can connect with their audience and guide them through complex and abstract topics that can be difficult to follow.
There’s a reason we learn about moral concepts as children through fables that end with morality. Remember how the stories of Pinocchio or Cinderella taught us not to lie? How can anyone forget such stories!
Learning can be made practical through creative storytelling. However, most educational videos go a step further and include audio narration, sound effects and other immersive elements to improve the user experience.
And considering that no story would be complete without the characters.
more clearly eg using characters
Characters play an essential role in every story and every effective educational video. Creating empathy for a piece of character helps the audience to put themselves in their shoes, and better understand examples and ideas.
Think of the most popular movies and series, like Game of Thrones: Each character can serve as a symbol of a broader concept. This technique facilitates deep thinking and helps the audience understand situations from different perspectives.
The characters are generally approachable, or at least memorable. That means they should feel like real folk, with all kinds of specific details about their looks or personality that your audience can connect with.
Educational videos using characters are also very performance-friendly, making the teachings and processes easy to emulate. By following a character’s actions, the audience learns the practical moves they require.
fulfill their learning objectives.
Appealing to the sentiments of the audience to help retain information
When you have a story with characters, it’s natural to have feelings. Storytelling is about making the audience feel what the characters are feeling and making them feel invested in the outcome.
Emotion plays a huge role in our memory. Our emotions can turn mundane events into permanent memories. Our brain is filled with past experiences associated with specific emotions like laughter, crying, surprise, fear.
And when it comes to educational videos, even the tiniest of laughs will do! By making the audience feel something, your teaching will have a lasting impact on them.
A unique educational video will provide a more comfortable learning experience, which also improves information retention. Heartwarming and emotional stories keep the audience focused on what is being told, freeing them from distraction