Debunking Misconceptions about Video Learning

Apr 28, 2016
Debunking Misconceptions about Video Learning

There are more than billion users (almost one-third of all people on the Internet) on YouTube, who spend extensive hours watching YouTube videos for entertainment

as well as for education on a daily basis. Videos have become fully integrated into our lives and studies show that the average viewer retains 95% of a message when they watch it, as opposed to a mere 10% retention rate when they are reading it. This is why organizations are trying to integrate video learning in to their training and development practices. Video provides a unique and exciting medium to reach and engage with learning audiences that no other medium can provide. However, organizations often struggle to evaluate this new medium properly and a lot of them have refrained themselves from using video learning because of the misconceptions around it.

Through this blog, we will try to clarify some of the most common misconceptions around video learning:

Video is Expensive: The cost of producing a video has gone down drastically over the recent years. There are plenty of low-cost tools, software available that organizations can use themselves for video creation without involving an external agency or experts. Short-video editing tools like Vine, iMovie are very easy to use and they are either free or have a very affordable pricing model. One can even find video making application on mobile devices for creating a short and engaging video. Organizations have already been using videos for onboarding, product training and with the availability of new tools and techniques, they can also use it in their formal training programs without worrying about the cost.

Too Much Bandwidth Consumption: Bandwidth consumption is another major concern for organizations when it comes to video learning. However, in reality average broadband connection speed at most organizations is much higher than that required to stream a typical high resolution video. In fact, Learning Management Systems (LMS) are using technology to ensure the video content delivery and performance is mapped with real-time available bandwidth. You can also compress the videos, so that users can easily download them, even with a slow Internet connection. As an organization, you can easily assess your internet and bandwidth requirements for video learning and in most cases you will already have an appropriate infrastructure, which is overlooked easily.

Engagement with Learners’ is limited: While video learning can be slightly passive, learners’ engagement is highly dependent on the duration of the video course and the way in which the content has been presented. It is advisable to make short and compelling videos, where learners are not expected to learn too much at a single time. Videos create an exciting and fun learning experience for learners and a good video will be more engaging for learners than a typical instructor-led session. You can add humor, background music, real life examples or even display learners’ present situation and challenges through a character and similar creative elements are a sure way to make an engaging video. Even if you are using a YouTube or any other external video, you can always add your own twist with the help of video editing software and make it more relevant and appealing for your target audience.