Video-Based Learning Best Practices

Video-based learning is one of the most effective forms of knowledge transfer available in the digital medium. Through the combination of graphics, voiceovers, text, music and live images, you are left with a compelling learning asset. When used judiciously and with new interactive features, video can help companies to keep learners engaged while introducing them to new products, processes and innovations. New types of video-based course certifications and exams can help to motivate visual and auditory learners, encourage interactivity, and enhance engagement.

A successful video-based learning program requires a carefully designed storyboard with content that can keep your learners hooked and interested. For example, consider the possibility of inserting questions or activities into the video, encouraging the learner to pause to answer questions before allowing the video to continue. When choosing the right video-based course for your business, please keep the following in mind:  

What do you want to teach your employees? 

Analyzing your team and understanding their needs is probably the most important part of finding the right video-based program. Once you establish these objectives, you can design a course that caters to the specific expertise and job roles you would like to enhance.

Interaction is key.

Follow the classic rule of instructional design in which interaction is key. Generally-speaking, higher levels of interaction can spark higher levels of engagement. Research on adult-learning shows that the more learners are engaged in a course the greater the likelihood of long-term retention of information. 

Video-based learning systems are at their best when they give the user an opportunity to explore and understand content at their own pace. With video, users can pause, rewind, and reassess their knowledge. Oftentimes, this is done by splicing video with questions, simulations, and screen graphics. Adding interactive elements into the video can start a dialogue session between the learner and the content, allowing the learner to be self-directed as they engage in branching scenarios with multiple learning paths and decision points. 

Importance lies in the user interface and user experience.

The user interface and experience are amongst the most important aspects of a video-based course. This part of the program, often called the graphical user interface or GUI (pronounced gooey), either encourages or inhibits user interaction. It is the ‘face’ of the video program usually designed with menus, buttons, images, and a corresponding color scheme. A ‘good’ GUI ensures that users can independently complete a smooth flow from one step of the course to the next. It should apply universal standards and be consistently applied throughout the course.

A learning assessment is fundamental.

Assessing the learner’s comprehension of the subject is essential to evaluating the effectiveness of the program. It measures the progress achieved by objectives set before the course began. Great assessments measure what the learner can say or do after completing the course. Ideally, multiple assessments, both formal and informal, should be administered throughout the course to check and cross-check mastery of information. Pre-assessments are usually given to establish a baseline, capturing what the learner already knows about the topic while post-assessments show what was learned as a result of completing the course. In general, assessments should map accurately to each course objective and are an important way to gauge the learner’s comprehension and ultimately, the course’s return on investment (ROI).

Video-based learning does a great job of breaking down complex topics. In addition, since video has traditionally been considered as a medium of entertainment, using short videos (2-3 minutes) in courses can often entice visual and auditory learners who prefer video as a microlearning opportunity. It also gives those who prefer to learn independently an opportunity to do so in a format they may well find familiar. Consider the fact that as of January of 2019, almost 5 billion videos are watched on Youtube every single day. Interested in learning more? Watch 8 Examples of Video-Based Learning.