Choosing The Right ‘Kind’ of Video for learning – 5 Styles Of Video-based Learning

Video-based learning is very effective for corporate training as educative videos make it possible to overcome practical real-world constraints and explore far greater possibilities provided by digital spaces. As a medium, videos can be combined with other learning platforms like an online chat room or video conferencing. The combination of video with other learning services has great potential to provide students with an integrated online learning space.

Video as a medium is very vast, with different types of outputs that benefit certain learning objectives. Choosing the right type of video is as important as the actual content of the video. Even if the content is very effective, the video will fail its learning objective if not presented in the right way to the learners.

Here are some common types of videos which can be utilized for different types of learning needs

Contextual Videos: Video gives you the power to visually represent real world situations in which the concepts you are teaching come into play. This is incredibly useful in bringing abstract theories into focus as well as illustrate real events or activities.

When to choose?

• When the course content is theoretical: Video-based approach reduces textual content and makes the course ‘lighter’ for learners.
• When course content is new or unfamiliar: Through videos, learners do not feel overwhelmed as they usually do when they see a 40-page long text document.
• When learners are new to the medium of e-learning: Fear of technology can be overcome with video-based learning where all the learner needs to do is press ‘start’.

Demonstration Videos: Actual recorded demonstration, animations or simulated videos – all have the power to show learners how to do a task which has a stronger impact than just a textual description of how it’s done.

When to choose?

• When the course requires to share skills: Animation or recorded videos can demonstrate skills that learners can imbibe.
• When the actual activity is hazardous to try out without any prior practical know-how: Videos provide a risk-free learning environment.
• When the activity includes multiple steps: The tedium of learning a multi-layered task is cut down tremendously with videos.

Analogy Videos: Analogies help learners develop cognitive shortcuts to use as a reference when trying to problem solve in real life. Videos can create compelling visual analogies that are more likely to be remembered.

When to choose?

• When explaining new concepts or processes: Videos are well accepted when learning unfamiliar things.
• When explaining multiple concepts within a course: To jump easily from one topic to another, is easier through videos.
• When aiming to increase retention: The visual appeal of videos, ensure that learners pay more attention.

Illustrative Videos: Illustrative examples are a great way of concretely defining the topic at hand. Illustrations and graphics bring clarity and ensure that learners have a deep understanding of a particular concept.

When to choose?

• When videos have to be budget-friendly: Busting the myth of video-based learning as a cost prohibitive proposition, videos can be created with images, graphics and simple illustrations.
• When limited internet bandwidth is available: Videos created with graphics and illustrations are lightweight and can be disseminated even when learners do not have access to high-speed internet.
• When creating a multi-device delivery: Video-based learning is fit for a multi-device delivery – especially illustrative videos which are lightweight and multi device-compatible

Learner Generated Videos: Internet can be utilized to facilitate knowledge sharing through learner generated videos. By encouraging learners to upload their own videos, it is an opportunity given to them to share their knowledge.

When to choose?

• When learners crave social or peer learning: Sharing videos can bring on a feeling of comradery.
• When thought leadership has to be encouraged: Well performing users can be encouraged to share more and share better.
• When content variety is required: Cutting boredom, videos shot or created by peers will ignite the entire learner groups’ interest.

With advancement in technology, videos have raised the ranks in terms of visual appeal and effectiveness. G-Cube has created and implemented video-based learning for a number of organizations with varying needs and different learner profiles. We bring to you our experiences and knowledge in a nutshell through our e-book – Learn@Videos. The above was a little glimpse of what’s in store!