Here’s a moment I’m sure most people who have worked in a large organisation can relate to. You open up an online learning module that you’ve been told you need to do, and you click through said module as fast as you possibly can. There’s a good chance the module looks like it was designed in 2004, isn’t personalised to your role or organisation, provides little to no value to your professional development, and does not engage or challenge you in any way.
Sadly, this describes the state of online learning in many organisations. Businesses and government agencies are told that they need to ensure their staff understand the code of conduct, or how to report a health and safety incident, and create an online module as a box ticking activity.
In fact, Harvard Business Review cites that 75% of managers are dissatisfied with their organisation’s learning and development function, and only 12% of staff say they have successfully applied workplace learning to their work.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Online learning can be so much more powerful. It’s an opportunity to genuinely connect with and up-skill your kaimahi. When leveraged correctly, eLearning modules can deliver meaningful professional development and make your staff more engaged and connected with your organisation and their work.
Creating videos is one of the most effective ways to level up the quality and depth of your online learning solutions.
In this blog post I’m going to break down 5 specific ways that videos can help make your eLearning more effective and boost results for your organisation.
Increasing Learner Engagement and Retention
Video content can instantly capture a learners' attention, leading to them being more engaged with the learning and more likely to retain information.
Videos can also help to create an immersive and engaging learning experience that is both informative and entertaining.
Some specific ways that videos excel at engaging learners include:
Visualising and breaking down complex topics and ideas
Creating an emotional connection with colleagues or leaders within the organisation
Show how the learning is applied in job-specific real world scenarios
Simultaneously leveraging both auditory and visual information pathways
Adding variety to the online learning experience by breaking the monotony of reading text and going through quizzes
Visualising Complex Concepts and Improving Information Recall
Videos can help simplify complex concepts by visually demonstrating ideas, making them easier for learners to understand and apply.
Because videos are able simultaneously leverage auditory and visual information pathways, we’re able to more effectively utilise learners’ mental bandwidth. As a result we see video-based learning leads to improved retention and recall of information compared to text-based learning materials.
Some specific ways that videos excel at visually demonstrating complex concepts include:
Using animations and motion graphics to break down complex processes and systems
Showing complex concepts in applied in animated or real-world scenarios
Incorporating diagrams and other visuals to illustrate abstract concepts
Highlighting specific features or details of a product or process
Demonstrating cause and effect relationships between different variables
A great example of this is a video I created for StudyTime NZ, explaining the way voting works in the New Zealand general election. In the video, we explain how voting in New Zealand works while visualising the information with animated motion graphics.
Creating Microlearning and Bite-Sized Content
Videos are ideal for delivering microlearning modules, allowing learners to consume short, focused content that can be easily digested and applied.
Some creative ways to use videos to create bite-sized learning include:
Creating a short video to include in your internal newsletter
Providing quick overviews of new procedures or tools
Have leaders or staff share an experience that maybe valuable to others
Showcase a skill or tool that learners can immediately try applying to their work
When using videos as a microlearning tool, make sure you include something actionable for learners at the end of the video. For example, you could encourage them to find an opportunity to apply this knowledge in their work today, or to discuss the pros and cons of the video topic with a colleague.
A great example of this is the video below by communications coach Vinh Giang. In less than 60 seconds, he clearly explains an exercise learners can do straight away to develop a deeper understanding of the way they speak and present themselves.
Showcase accessibility, diversity and inclusion in your organisation
People are the heart of any organisation, and videos are a powerful way to showcase the people within your organisation to newcomers. By highlighting the diversity and inclusivity of your team, you can create a welcoming and engaging learning experience.
While regular online modules can have a tendency to look generic or template-based, videos are an excellent opportunity to showcase the gender, cultural, ethnic, age, and ability diversity within your organisation.
Videos are also a highly inclusive tool. When used properly, videos are able to cater to learners with a range of accessibility needs. Best practice is to make sure your video includes closed captions and a downloadable text transcript. Depending on your audience, subtitles and translations in relevant languages maybe valuable.
Having closed captions available is essential to make sure a video is accessible. Closed captions are helpful for people who have a hearing impairment but may also be useful for people who are in a noisy environment or don’t have headphones available.
Cost-Effective and Scalable Solution
Video-based learning offers a cost-effective and scalable solution for organisations. Online learning, which incorporates videos, can more effectively replace or complement traditional face-to-face learning. This shift can reduce the costs associated with face-to-face training.
The versatility of video-based learning ensures that all your learners, regardless of where they are, receive a consistent and high-quality learning experience. Consistency is crucial to business success, ensuring that every staff member across the country gains access to the same wealth of knowledge and expertise. This fosters a more unified and knowledgeable workforce. Embracing video-based learning opens the door to a more cost-efficient and scalable training solution that meets the diverse needs of modern learners.
Conclusion
In conclusion, online learning doesn't have to be a mundane checkbox experience. Videos offer a dynamic solution, turning training into engaging, effective, and inclusive experiences.
From boosting engagement and simplifying complex concepts to creating bite-sized content and showcasing diversity, videos transform eLearning.
Cost-effective and scalable, video-based eLearning is able to bridge gaps and provide a consistent, high-quality learning experience for all.
Embrace the power of video-based learning, and you will witness a tangible shift in your organisations approach to learning and professional development.
If you have an idea for some learning videos, or want to bounce ideas around, get in touch. I have seven years experience creating videos specifically for workplace online learning and would love to shape your ideas into reality.