Video is the ideal way to get employees fully on board while following a training. The bigger their drive to learn, the quicker their engagement grows and the more significant the impact of the training gets. The result: a long-lasting change in behavior among employees that also affects the business. At Neo Learning, we are strong advocates of video as (part of) a digital learning solution. Why? We’re happy to explain that in this article.

What is video-based learning?

What do we mean with video learning? Well, it refers to every training that consists for the largest part of videos and follows the principle of ‘show, don’t tell’.

From scenario-based learning to software tutorials and microlearning: there’s no doubt that video has an enormous added value as part of these digital learning solutions.

In recent years, video has become a dominant medium. The gigantic amount of videos that are being uploaded on YouTube every second is proof of that. Watching a video doesn’t only gain popularity in the guise of entertainment. Acquiring knowledge and learning new skills also increasingly happens on the base of a short but powerful video. In short: watching is the new reading.

Look at Millennials and Generation Z: with one click, they can find a handy tutorial to change a flat tire, optimize their cv or fabricate a podcast. Many of them grew up in the video age, and clearly have high hopes for it.

Video increases the understanding of learning content

A clear video, animated or not, is able to explain complex learning content, abstract concepts or complicated procedures in a hands-on way. And that’s something we can prove! Our learning experts love a challenge, and have developed videos about complicated subjects, from mortgage loans to lab procedures, from company-specific safety procedures to software migrations. Below you can see some examples.

A well-crafted video enhances users’ understanding of the learning material. By zooming in on the essence, you eliminate unnecessary background information and switch off distractions. That focus on the essential content helps users to maximally concentrate on the behavior they need to adopt.

Are you looking for maximal engagement with the subject? Choose scenario-based video learning. Realistic characters in recognizable situations really bring a topic to life, give valuable context to the learning material and focus on what the user has to remember afterwards.

Video appeals to the senses

According to the Cognitive Load Theory, information passes three main stages during our learning process: sensory memory, working memory and long-term memory. Information that we are confronted with first has to be absorbed by our sensory memory before our working memory can take action. Once that’s done, the information finally reaches our long-term memory.

In other words: do you really want to give the learning process a kickstart? Then appeal to as many senses as possible. Video is your tool of choice to do that. Video-based learning appeals to our visual and auditory sensors. If you use scenarios in your video as well, you activate other cognitive functions that magnify retention of the learning content. With long-term behavior change as a positive result.

The learning content determines the video type

An important aspect to take into account: not every kind of video is suitable for every type of content.

Do you want scenario-based learning, for example for your safety or compliance training? Then animated videos are your ideal choice. Professional recordings with actors who really bring situations to life also produce wonderful results and stimulate awareness of behavior among employees.

Do you have to explain a digital tool, or do you want to dive into a software system? Then an interactive video with images of the application and an informative voice-over is your go-to solution.

Talking about interactive videos: do you really want to capture users’ attention, then branching will knock your socks off. In that case, users get to see a situation and then have to answer a question (to assess the situation or take a decision, for example). The next scene the user sees, depends on the answer he or she has given previously. Did they assess the situation incorrectly? Then the consequence can be felt and heard clearly. Impact is guaranteed!

Count on the Neo Learning experts

Convinced of the added value that video-based learning brings to the table? Great! Still seeing some obstacles along the way, like:

  • No-inhouse experts (like a copywriter or graphic designer) that can develop your video?
  • Confronted with a mountain of content, but no idea how you can map out a learning path (let alone use video-based e-learning)?
  • Still hesitating about which type of video suits your learning material and audience best?

Then trust Neo Learning’s expertise to help you along the way. Contact us today for support tailored to your challenge.

Want to know more? We love to help you out! Get in touch for a call or demo.