Supercharge your online courses with eLearning videos.

The writing is on the wall – literally. eLearning videos are becoming increasingly popular and with good reason too. They’re a fast and easy way to learn, and according to the Forrester Report, employees are 75% more likely to watch videos than reading documents!

Not only that, but people are also engaging with video content daily outside of work. Platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat have become extremely popular, especially among younger people, who are looking for entertainment rather than information from traditional sources such as books.

This means that if you’re not using video content in your online eLearning courses, you’re missing out on a great opportunity to engage and motivate your learners. Especially since research has shown that including video in eLearning can result in a 10-30% increase in course completion rates!

Also, you don’t want to be left behind in the corporate video content arms race. Many companies are already using eLearning videos to create engaging and informative content for their employees. 77% of organizations say that they use eLearning videos for employee training, and this number is only going to increase in the future.

In this article, we will look at some of the ways you can use video content to supercharge your online courses.

Why Use eLearning Videos in Online Courses?

Video is an extremely versatile medium that can be used for a variety of purposes within an online course. We think that there are five key reasons why a video should be used as a critical learning tool.

1. Engage learners
2. Deliver bite-sized content
3. Make complex concepts easier to understand
4. Create a personal connection
5. Video delivers high value and impact

Let’s take a closer look at each of these in turn.

Engage Learners

Video is an engaging medium that can hold a learner’s attention in a way that text or audio cannot. This is extremely important when you consider that the average attention span of an adult is just eight seconds!

With video, you can use a variety of techniques to keep your learners engaged. For example, you can use visuals, such as graphics and animation, to break up the monotony of talking heads. You can also use music and sound effects to add another layer of interest.

It’s also worth considering using videos that are under five minutes in length. This is because shorter videos are more likely to be watched all the way through than longer ones. In fact, according to Wistia, the average engagement time for a video that is under two minutes long is 100%. This drops to 60% for videos that are between two and five minutes in length.

Deliver Bite-Sized Content

Video is the perfect medium for delivering bite-sized content. This is because it can be easily divided into short segments that can be consumed in just a few minutes. This is ideal for busy learners who may not have the time to commit to sitting through a long video. It also means that they can easily dip in and out of the course as and when they have the time.

For a regional microfinance company, we developed a series of short, animated videos on financial literacy topics. The eLearning videos were two to three minutes in length and were designed to be watched on a mobile phone. This was perfect for the company’s target audience of busy women who may not have access to a desktop computer.

Make Complex Concepts Easier to Understand

An eLearning video is also an excellent way to make complex concepts easier to understand. This is because it can show, rather than just tell, what is happening. This is particularly useful when you are dealing with concepts that are best explained using visuals, such as processes and procedures. A video can take your learners step-by-step through a process, making it much easier for them to understand what they need to do.

For instance, for one of our clients, we created a series of videos that explained how to use the company’s software. The videos took the learner through each step of the process, from logging in to the software to creating a report. This made it much easier for the learner to understand how to use the software and meant that they were less likely to need help from support staff.

Create a Personal Connection

Video is also a great way to create a personal connection with your learners. This is because it allows you to put a face to the name and give your learners a sense of who you are as a person. You can also use video to show your personality and build rapport with your learners.

This is particularly important when you consider that building relationship is key to successful online learning. In fact, one of the main reasons why learners choose to study online is because they want the flexibility to study around their commitments. However, this can sometimes mean that they feel isolated from their peers and tutors.

Using eLearning videos in your course can help to alleviate this by giving your learners a sense of connection and community. You can use video to give feedback on assignments, host live Q&A sessions, or just check in with your learners to see how they are doing. This personal touch will make your learners feel valued and motivated to continue with the course.

eLearning Videos Deliver High Value and Impact

Finally, it’s worth considering that video delivers high value and impact. This is because it is an engaging and immersive medium that can hold a learner’s attention. It is also a great way to deliver complex concepts and make them easier to understand. According to one study, learners who watch a video are 1.8 times more likely to retain the information than those who read it in text. You can’t say that about many other mediums!

Ultimately, using video in your course can help to improve the overall learning experience for your learners. It can also help to increase engagement and motivation, leading to better outcomes.

Doing video content the right way.

We have seen some of the benefits that video can bring to an online learning course. But, of course, as with anything, there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. Reading out of textbooks or copying and pasting lecture notes into a video is not going to engage or motivate your learners. Similarly, creating a low-quality, grainy video is not going to give your course the professional edge that it deserves. Instead, you need to think about how you can use video to enhance the learner experience and add value to your course. Here are some tips:

Plan Your eLearning Videos Carefully

Just as you would plan any other type of lesson or activity, it’s important to plan your videos carefully. This means thinking about the purpose of the video and what you want your learners to take away from it. It also means considering the delivery, including the script, the visuals, and the audio. Planning will help to ensure that your video is clear, concise, and engaging.

Make Sure the Quality is High

As we mentioned before, it’s important to make sure that the quality of your video is high. This means using professional-quality equipment and editing the video to ensure that it is free from any errors. It’s also important to have good lighting and sound. Remember, you want your course to look and feel professional, so don’t skimp on the quality of your videos.

Think About the Length

When it comes to videos, shorter is usually better. This is because learners have short attention spans and are more likely to engage with a shorter video. It’s also easier to fit a shorter video into a busy schedule. That being said, there are no hard and fast rules about video length. It will depend on the purpose of the video and the depth of the content.

Engage Your Learners

Finally, it’s important to engage your learners with your videos. This means using engaging visuals, music, and narration. It also means making sure that the content is relevant and interesting. If you can do this, you’ll be sure to keep your learners engaged and motivated throughout the course.

By following these tips, you can use video to enhance the learner experience and add value to your course. Just remember to plan carefully, focus on quality, and engage your learners. If you do this, you’ll be sure to create a course that learners will love.

What are you waiting for?

Don’t know how to get started with video content? We can help. We offer a range of video production services, including scriptwriting, video editing, and animation. We can also help you to plan and structure your videos to ensure that they are engaging and effective. Get in touch today!