“Where did you learn how to do that? I found this tutorial on YouTube.” We all have had this conversation at some point, by now. Video has become the format of choice for self-instruction, whether on YouTube or on one of the many growing commercial online learning platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, or Coursera. But video-based learning also plays an increasingly important role in corporate training programs.
Today more than ever, with the popularity of remote and hybrid workplaces, L&D professionals agree that video-based learning is an essential ingredient to any successful employee upskilling or onboarding process. If you are looking to start implementing video-based learning in your company, or you want to optimize your training strategy, then this guide is for you!
Jump to:
- What is video-based learning?
- Reasons to use video-based learning
- Advantages of video-based learning
- Challenges of video-based learning
- 6 main types of learning videos [+ examples]
- Why video-based learning is popular with learners?
- Video-based learning strategy: how to implement it?
- Kaltura: the perfect solution for video-based learning
What is video-based learning?
Video-based learning is a remote training method that relies on live or prerecorded video to teach new skills and knowledge. Video-based learning uses images, graphics, on-screen text, and audio to deliver a multi-sensory learning experience that fosters engagement and knowledge retention.
Reasons to use video-based learning
There are quite a few reasons why video-based learning is particularly well-fitted for corporate training programs:
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- Video learning works both for independent learning scenarios and instructor-led teaching.
- Video-based learning is self-paced, which helps learners better organize their training around their busy schedules and learn at a time and pace that suits them best.
- Similarly, video facilitates micro-learning and Just-in-time learning, which have proven their worth in corporate training.
- The performance of your video-based learning is easier to assess, especially with a professional-grade platform like Kaltura Virtual Classroom, which comes with comprehensive analytics dashboards.
- Video learning can easily be scaled, since an unlimited number of learners can consume the content, anytime, anywhere.
More advantages of video-based learning
These three points are specifically beneficial in the case of corporate Learning & Development. But video-based learning offers a few more general advantages:
Video engages all senses
As I said before, video can avail of moving images, graphics, on-screen text, and audio to convey knowledge. Not only does this multi-sensory approach help the learner retain the information better, but it also offers more tools to explain complex concepts. The human brain processes video content much faster than written material. This also makes video extremely versatile. You can teach anything with video.
Video allows for higher accessibility
Video can be consumed remotely, at any time, and on any device. This makes video a highly accessible format to anyone, physically or geographically challenged. But video can also be captioned and translated so viewers can consume the content without sound or in another language.
Video-based learning is cost-effective
The production of a video-based course implies a one-time cost, after which the content can be reused as long as it’s relevant. The consumption of the video content incurs no further travel costs, instructor fees, or overhead. The lack of recurring costs and the relatively low cost of video production nowadays has resulted in companies saving 50-70% with video-based learning. This also contributes to the scalability of video-based learning as a format.
Challenges of video-based learning
I chose the word challenges intently because the potential drawbacks of video-based learning can be solved:
Video-based learning is a passive learning experience
Video requires the learner to sit and passively consume information, which anyone knows is not ideal. But this passivity can be countered in two ways:
Corporate learning is best done on the job (learning while doing) and just-in-time (learning at the time the information is needed). Microlearning content (short bites of information on a single topic or how to perform one task) that is readily available at the time it’s needed by the employee will turn video-based learning into a more active learning experience.
Another way to make video-based learning a more active learning experience is by incorporating hot spots or interactive video paths. These are clickable in-video options that alter the course of the video in a “create your own adventure” kind of way. Interactive video paths are surprisingly easy to make with Kaltura’s video solutions.
Video-based learning lacks instructor feedback
The advantage of instructor-led courses is that the learner can interact with the teacher and ask questions, while the teacher can immediately assess the learner’s comprehension and remediate where needed. It’s important to have those mechanisms (or alternatives) in place for your video-based learning program, as well. Make sure the learners can access Q&As and other additional resources. It’s good practice to add the contact details of an instructor on-call or an in-house expert about the video, so the learner always has a live person to talk to. You should also organize weekly consultation hours with an instructor or L&D professional.
Video-based learning is for independent learners
Video-based learning puts a lot of responsibility on the learner. They need to organize and pace their own learning and make sure they retain the new information. This type of learning doesn’t suit everyone. Some learners require more guidance and structure. The use of analytics, quizzes, and other types of assessment, along with the assistance of a dedicated L&D professional can help these students benefit from video-based learning as well.
6 main types of learning videos= [+examples]
In this section, we discuss the 6 most popular types of video training with examples to give you an idea of what video-based learning can look like:
Animated explainers and whiteboard videos
These became a very popular type of learning video in recent years. Animated explainer videos are versatile, effective, and relatively cheap to outsource and produce. They are great for introducing new processes with simple animated designs, supported by voice-over and text.
Example: How does Microsoft Azure work?
Live-action explainer videos
Live-action explainer videos illustrate and convey the new information through a scripted story. This format is great at explaining processes that need to be applied in specific situations and scenarios. This type of video can be very impactful, like the example below. However, live-action explainer videos require larger budgets and more effort altogether. Trying to produce this quickly and with a low budget can easily yield corny or boring results.
Example: Ohio State University staff security instructional video
Talking-head expert videos
The talking-head video format really exploded in the last two years, as many people repurpose their expert webinars or video conference recordings into on-demand learning videos. This type of video is cheap and easy to produce and is great for creating an emotional connection between the viewer and the speaker. You can break the monotony of the talking head stream with screen shares, slide presentations, or other media. The following example only switches to a talking head format after 1’30”, so be patient.
Example: Brain Expert Jim Kwik on How to Learn Anything Faster | Inc.
Screencast videos
Screencasts or screen-sharing videos are immensely popular on YouTube, especially for software tutorials where it makes sense to look at the trainer’s screen. They are also very easy and cost-efficient to produce, so if you plan on creating video-based learning around a software or platform tutorial, then screencasts are the way to go. The following example of a screencast video has been viewed more than 16 million times.
Example: The Beginner’s Guide to Excel – Excel Basics Tutorial
Kinetic text-based videos
These are videos featuring text animations on static backgrounds. Kinetic text-based videos are a bit limited in use cases, but they are great for topics that contain a lot of data, graphics, numbers, and lists. The example below illustrates the role and importance of the Employee Services department at the University of Colorado. Containing only facts and figures, it’s very much a bare-bones video, but it does the job.
Example: University of Colorado Employee Services Explainer
University of Colorado Employee Services Explainer from Freed Motion on Vimeo.
Interactive video
With interactive videos, the viewer chooses the course of the video by clicking on-screen options according to their interests. These so-called interactive video paths open a host of possibilities for interactive video-based learning and make for very engaging training videos. With Kaltura’s video solutions, interactive video is very easy to produce and doesn’t require the help of a video expert or IT person. The following example uses Kaltura’s interactive video paths.
Example: Make your next event a next-level event
Why is video-based learning popular with learners?
In one sentence, learners particularly enjoy the flexibility, the ability to stir emotions, and the effectiveness of video-based learning.
Learners can consume video-based learning content when it fits their schedule and at times they feel they learn best. As opposed to dry and passive in-class sessions, video-based learning is entertaining. It can be fun or inspirational. Learners also know that they learn best through video-based learning. The use of images, graphics, animations, and voice all work together to break down and retain complex information. Tests revealed that people still remembered 65% of the information they had learned from a video after three days, compared to 10% of the information retained from audio-only content.
Video-based learning strategy: how to implement it?
There are a thousand ways to go about implementing a performant video-based learning strategy. It varies according to your company’s situation, learning needs, and culture. So, consider these as tips rather than a ‘step-by-step’:
Figure out what you need
Understand your company’s weaknesses and how to strengthen them with employee training. Map knowledge gaps and what new employees need to know or learn to be performant in their position. Make sure your learning strategy is aligned with company objectives.
Start Small
Have in-house experts create short talking-head videos or screencasts of single processes, tutorials, or onboarding topics and use a central repository like Kaltura to store, manage, and distribute your learning videos. With Kaltura, you can also provide a space for your employees to upload videos and share knowledge with others.
Experiment with format
Play around with the different formats and see what resonates best with your employees. Start with talking head videos and screencasts. Then try putting some more production value into important evergreen learning topics with animated explainers or even live-action videos. Analyze the performance of each video and tweak your strategy accordingly.
Keep your eyes on the price
… and the price of video-based learning is knowledge retention. So make sure to keep your learning videos short and engaging and don’t leave a stone unturned to foster understanding, engagement, and knowledge retention
The video below by Backlinko’s Brian Dean seamlessly blends talking head video with animated graphics, text overlays, screencasts, humor, etc. to make sure the viewer stays engaged and learning.
Analyze
Building an effective video-based learning strategy your employees will love is an ongoing process. Make sure your video-based learning assets and employee engagement are measurable, analyze the performance of each video, and tweak your strategy accordingly.
Kaltura: the perfect solution for video-based learning
Kaltura Video Portal is your company’s personal and 100% branded video hub. A corporate YouTube that is incredibly flexible and accessible for your teams to contribute or consume video content.
With the necessary permissions granted by you, anyone can easily create and edit their video assets and enrich them with captions, on-screen quizzes, hotspots, etc…
The videos are then organized into categories and neatly labeled with metadata for easy search and HD playback on any device.
And you? You can sit back and track performance with granular video viewing and engagement metrics. Interest piqued? Start your free trial, no strings attached, to see what Kaltura Video Portal can do for your employees’ performance, work satisfaction, and retention!
Get the most out of video-based learning with Kaltura Video Portal. Start your free trial, today!
