Students today are very particular about how they want to access knowledge and learn. They easily get distracted and engage in multitasking. Hence they don’t want to invest much time in learning.
They want education to be flexible, bite-sized, on-the-go (mobile learning), and focused, which aids them in learning and solving problems (micro-learning). Therefore, students should get information in engaging and immersive formats that assist them in learning, practicing, and handling a challenge. Video based learning provides a way to create an immersive learning experience while leveraging micro-learning and mLearning that students love.
Videos are exceptional as a remote learning tool and have been identified as a helpful supplement for Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) and blended learning. They not only reduce cognitive overload but also grab viewers’ attention and enhance learner engagement.
Contrary to text and infographics, video based learning can aid in expressing multifaceted ideas and aspects of a topic, which creates a more engaging learning experience and contributes to a compelling watching experience.
Moreover, unlike still graphics, audio, or text, videos provide a higher information recall and retention to a captive and attentive audience.
Here are a few qualities of video-based learning that make it a popular option for remote education:
Qualities of Video Based Learning
Video based learning has some fundamental characteristics that set it apart from other forms of learning.
Encourage Change in Thinking
When students read a new idea or concept, they are most likely to mull over it and move on. By witnessing that concept in motion, be it via online learning videos, especially with short-form microlearning examples – you can make learners pause for thought, thus leading to changes in how they think and what they learn.
Facilitate Behavior Change
Audio or text-based learning is excellent for directing students and telling them what to do. However, when it comes to changing behaviors, nothing comes in comparison to online learning videos, including simulations, gamification, and other interactive educational content, that has the potential to demonstrate the predicted behavior for students to practice and model.
“Stickiness” of Learning
Usually, learners find well-created video content more addictive and engaging than diagrams and slides. Eventually, it makes them stick around for an entire course and even leaves them waiting for more.
Now that we know the qualities of video based learning let’s dive into its advantages.
Major Benefits of Video Based Learning
Video based learning is making education more exciting and engaging for learners.
Here are a few benefits of this form of learning.
Interactive
Animations and other video content can easily visualize and simplify anything, no matter how complicated. Besides, one minute of an online video equals about 1.8 million written words. Therefore, visualization is the best feature of video based learning, offering a more interactive experience.
For instance, if you are teaching science or any other complex subject that may need more than a plain explanation to help learners understand concepts, then you need educational videos and simulations. They can convert complex information into visualizations and illustrations, allowing you to animate those images to demonstrate a process.
Also, for example, the electric current is invisible, and the electric circuit’s operation is challenging to understand for newbies. If you are teaching traditionally, you need static pictures with arrows, marking, and motion lines. Yet, interactive videos, including animations, can show temporal change directly instead of you having to demonstrate the process by motion lines and arrows. Using interactive videos makes visual aid simpler, less cluttered, engaging, and vivid.
Enhance Engagement
Education is not only about imparting knowledge but also about inspiring students. Unless online learners have a personal interest in the lesson beforehand, it is difficult for instructors to motivate students by only delivering lectures and giving full-text presentations. Things get much worse regarding complex subjects like science and math.
We all know how interactive videos, simulations, and animations liven up a room. Video-based content with high-quality visuals and audio creates such an enchanting atmosphere that students feel more motivated to learn. Moreover, video-based learning help relieves their stress and keeps them focused throughout the class.
Hence, it enhances student engagement and their understanding of the subject matter while improving the overall quality of learning.
Encourage Learners To Learn More
When learners watch entertaining educational videos, there is a higher likelihood of them replaying them. By watching such videos repeatedly, students not only gain academic knowledge but also acquire discipline and self-learning skills.
Self-learning is essential for students because it doesn’t matter what they learn but how they learn it. Self-learning allows learners to explore different facets of a problem and figure out a solution independently. During such processes, students obtain skills in problem-solving and critical thinking.
Supports Multiple Devices
Instructors can utilize interactive video-based learning as bite-sized, short nuggets. Videos can be played on various devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers. This means learners can access the same video content on different devices, which is especially useful for learners who are always on the go.
Furthermore, video-based learning provides a highly flexible and versatile learning experience that can be accessed on multiple devices, making it easier for learners to learn at their own pace and convenience.
Cost-Effective
Video based learning is a cost-effective alternative to traditional learning methods. With video-based learning, learners can access the training material from anywhere, eliminating the need for travel and venue expenses associated with in-person training.
Likewise, video based learning can be easily scaled to accommodate many learners without incurring additional costs. Moreover, once a video is produced, it can be shared with unlimited learners.
Also, video based learning can reduce the time instructors need to spend delivering the training. Once the video is created, the instructor can focus on answering questions and providing support rather than delivering the same material repeatedly.
Nonetheless, it is essential to ensure that the videos are of high quality and engaging to keep learners hooked so they can learn effectively.
Drawbacks of Video Based Learning
There are many benefits of video based learning, but one cannot overlook its drawbacks that must be considered to help educators overcome them for a better classroom learning experience.
Students Prone To Distraction
Extraneous details in animations and videos can distract learners from the relevant messages. Videos or any other type of fun learning materials can easily distract students from learning. Likewise, the lack of context in the videos can contribute to distractions. Therefore, a beautiful design isn’t enough for compelling educational videos; you must know your videos’ learning objectives. Every element of the video must impart some value to the course.
Consume A Lot of Bandwidth
The downside of videos and animations is that they are slow to load. They take up a lot of bandwidth because of their large file size. Different video streaming platforms may assist with loading speed issues. However, learners must have access to a stable internet connection. Whether you believe it or not, a loading screen is more distracting than a poor-quality video. Moreover, it is a common issue with videos, the higher the definition, the slower the loading speed.
Time-Consuming
Currently, there are limited high-quality free educational videos available for downloading. It is because the cost of creating high-quality videos that explore the medium’s unique characteristics is still high. Usually, links also go dead after some time, impacting the reliability of outsourced videos. Although the availability of free educational videos is improving, finding free and appropriate videos to meet the specific needs of educators and students can be time-consuming, where such material may be unavailable or unreliable.
Besides, producing original content that exploits unique features of the video is time-consuming and relatively expensive since it typically requires professional video production.
Final Thoughts!
Video based learning and everything else on the course requires thoughtful consideration so that learners get the most benefit. They motivate, help, encourage, and engage students with better learning results. Video-based learning has drawbacks, yet with thoughtful instructional designs, educators can enhance video content and animations to best suit students’ needs.
