Distance learning or learning has been the top choice for students to enroll in education without physically being in classes. Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, online learning platforms were popular among learners as they provide a wide range of teaching everyone can access from home.
Now that the pandemic has amplified the number of distance learning due to physical distancing regulations, everyone seems to adapt to this form of teaching that many have preferred learning from home to attending offline classes. That being said, making videos for distance learning has become an essential part to engage and deliver educational content to learners.
According to a study done in 2020, about 48% of professors have started using video in their lectures and 62% of them plan to use video more frequently in their teaching. The trend of using videos for teaching is only going to grow as it has been proven to be an effective way of delivering content and engaging learners.
The Benefits of Using Videos For eLearning
If you compare the amount of content that you can cover in an hour-long video lecture with a written article or even a textbook, the video will come on top. This is because videos are able to pack in a lot of information and present it in an easily digestible format for learners.
Incorporating videos for distance learning help engage learners in a way that other mediums are unable to. Videos can grab the attention of learners and keep them engaged throughout the entire duration, something that is essential in order to ensure that they are actually learning from the videos.
There are many other benefits of using videos for distance learning.
1. Videos make the learning process more flexible
Students can learn at their own pace and time when they have access to videos. This is unlike attending physical classes where there are set timings and students will have to be present in order to receive the lectures.
More importantly, students can access educational videos from anywhere in the world as long as there is an internet connection. Teachers can also upload their videos on platforms such as YouTube and make them available for anyone to watch.
2. Videos make learning more enjoyable
Let’s be honest, most people prefer watching videos to reading texts. This is because videos are usually more interesting and entertaining to watch. When learning becomes more enjoyable, students are more likely to engage in the process and retain the information for a longer period of time.
Visuals tend to be more memorable than text, that’s why incorporating videos in your distance learning can help improve the retention rate. Students are more likely to remember what they have seen in a video as opposed to what they have read in a textbook.
3. Videos provide a more immersive experience
With videos, learners are able to get a first-hand look at the concepts that they are trying to learn. This is especially beneficial for subjects such as science and history where students can gain a better understanding of the topic by seeing it in action.
In addition, videos can be watched multiple times and students can pause, rewind or fast forward to sections that they need to revise. This is a lot more effective than just reading through notes as learners are able to see, hear and understand the concepts better.
Teachers can also use videos to test their students’ understanding of the concepts covered in the video. This is done by incorporating quizzes or questions at the end of the video for students to answer.
4. Videos encourage active learning
Videos provide the perfect platform to include other forms of multimedia such as images, infographics, and even audio. This makes the content more engaging and visually appealing for learners.
When students are actively engaged in watching a video, they are more likely to be involved in the learning process as they are required to process the information that they are seeing. This is a lot more effective than just passively listening to a lecture.
How to Create Engaging Videos For eLearning
Although videos are easy to understand and usually more engaging than other types of eLearning content, not all videos are created equal. In order to create videos that are truly effective for distance learning, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind.
1. Keep your eLearning videos short
eLearning should be easy to understand, if students watch longer videos, you risk losing them. So, make sure that your videos are short and to the point. Ideally, each video should be around 5 minutes long or less.
When creating your videos, it’s important to have a script that you can follow. This will ensure that your videos are well-organized and flow smoothly. You should also use audio that is clear and easy to understand in addition to high-quality visuals. This will help students engage with the content on a deeper level.
2. Use graphics and animation
Graphics and animation can be used to highlight important points or make complex concepts easier to understand. When used correctly, they can be very effective in making your videos more engaging. That’s why it’s important to use visuals that are clear and easy to understand. If your visuals are low quality, it will be more difficult for students to engage with the content.
3. Use closed captions or subtitles
If you want to make sure that your videos are accessible to all learners, you should consider using closed captions. This will allow students who are deaf or hard of hearing to follow along with the video.
Subtitles also allow you to connect with a broader audience as they can be used by viewers who are not native English speakers. In addition, closed captions can be used to improve the overall comprehension of the content for all students.
4. Make your videos interactive
Make your videos more interactive by incorporating quizzes or questions at the end of each video. This will encourage students to think about the concepts that they just learned and apply them to real-world situations.
In addition, you can use videos to create virtual field trips or simulations. This will allow students to get a hands-on look at the topics that they are learning about.
5. Make sure your videos are mobile-friendly
With more and more people accessing eLearning content on their mobile devices, it’s important to make sure that your videos are optimized for mobile. This means ensuring that your eLearning videos can be played on a variety of devices and that the visuals are clear and easy to see on smaller screens.
You can optimize your videos to support mobile devices by using a responsive player, creating videos with video marketing tools, HTML5 format, and using adaptive bitrate streaming.
6. Use an eLearning video platform
There are a variety of eLearning video platforms that you can use to host your videos. This will make it easy for students to access your videos and will allow you to track their progress.
For example, platforms like Udemy allow you to publish your videos and create courses. You can also use platforms like Skillshare or Lynda.com to host your videos.
7. Get feedback on your videos
Once you’ve created your videos, it’s important to get feedback from students. This will help you improve the quality of your videos and ensure that they are truly effective for distance learning. Students’ feedback is essential for you to understand what works and what doesn’t in your videos. It also allows you to make changes to improve the overall quality of your videos.
Takeaway
In conclusion, videos have become an essential part of distance learning in 2023 and for many aspects of life. Videos offer a number of advantages for both teachers and students, making them an essential part of distance learning. By keeping these tips in mind, you can create videos that are truly effective for eLearning. Good luck!