5 Popular Styles of Video-based Learning: Optimizing Learner Engagement and Knowledge Retention

Video-based learning is now the trending buzz, and its shorter and engaging nature is transforming the way people learn. The new-age learners want to leverage the benefits of e-learning solutions through multiple devices such as laptops, mobiles, tablets, and smartphones. Consequently, this opens the avenues of developing media rich content to boost the overall levels of learner engagement and knowledge retention.

The incorporation of videos with e-learning courses is no more optional, but a basic training need. The delivery of short video nuggets leaves an impactful experience because of the following reasons:

• Small chunks of video content sustain for long as long-duration videos do not contribute to achieving overall learning objectives of an online training program.
• The 7-10 minutes duration videos also help to encapsulate a single concept or topic through a blend of minimal text and interactive graphics. Such videos impart an instant opportunity for the learner to grab relevant knowledge at any point of time.
• The real-life short videos build a connection between the learner and the training content. These provide know-how on actual processes at the workplace, thereby boosting the learners’ confidence and workplace productivity.

In today’s digital era, organizations need to choose the best kind of video to cater to the personalized training needs of all. There are five most common styles of video-based learning. These include:

1. Interactive videos

The interactive form of videos helps to make the e-learning content more dynamic and engaging. These prove to be useful when employees need to undergo training on new products, demos, procedures, sales, and more. Interactive videos make the overall training experience complete fun, by improving workforce participation and knowledge retention levels.

2. Context-based videos

For text-based training material, contextual videos prove to be an optimal choice. Such type of videos helps to lessen the rigidity of theory-based training content and makes learning easier. Contextual videos are helpful when the training course is new to the learners, so that playing a video may become more engaging than reading out a long text document.

3. Live videos

To overcome the challenges of traditional classroom-based approach, the scope of live videos and podcasts is increasing. The videos where an instructor explains the concept through graphics and animations make learning more engaging. Even the most difficult concepts can be easily explained through real-life examples, thereby reinforcing the overall learning experience.

4. Illustrative videos

Illustrative videos improve the clarity of training content, ensuring that learners have a clear understanding of relevant topics. When there is limited bandwidth, lightweight videos created using graphics and illustrations are created. Illustrative videos enable learners to access training content on their personalized mobile devices-anytime and anywhere.

5. Analogy videos

Analogies aid learners to enhance their cognitive thinking skills and perform better at the workplace. This video style creates a strong impact while explaining new concepts and procedures. Also, while explaining multiple concepts within a single course, videos help to jump from one topic to another within a click, resulting in improved learner participation and knowledge retention.

Video-based learning holds the potential to engage modern learners and make lasting impressions on their mind. These are very useful for corporate training as employees can readily recall and apply what they learn in real-life workplace situations.

Suggested Further Reading: The State of Video-Based Learning: A Review and Future Perspectives by Ulrik Schroeder