5 ways video-based learning boosts employee training

From TikToks to YouTube tutorials, people are consuming more video content than ever before. But this isn’t just a social media habit. Around 50% of people have used a video platform to learn new skills. So how can you harness the power of this popular format to maximize your impact? We’ve pulled together research, examples, and tools to help you enhance your employee training with video learning. 

Why video-based learning is effective

In a world where distractions are everywhere, studies show that video can cut through the noise: 

• Getting people engaged: People are around 50% more likely to click on an online video ad than a standard banner ad. While training and advertising are different, engagement is critical for both. And it’s clear that video grabs attention. 
• Creating emotional connections: The human brain has a special place for faces with dedicated neural circuits that only respond to them. Putting people at the center of your videos can create this human connection in your learning content. 
• Reducing cognitive load: Most people would rather watch a ‘how-to’ video than read a manual. Presenting information through a combination of visuals and sound reduces cognitive load and makes learning easier.
• Increasing knowledge retention: Video is more effective than text alone for learning, especially in the long term. Viewers retain 95% of a video’s message, compared to 10% when reading text. 

For corporate learning, this means video can help capture your learners’ attention and create real-life actions that stick. 

Benefits of video-based learning

Video-based learning offers several key benefits that can benefit your employees and the business:

• Increased engagement: Videos are inherently engaging and can hold learners’ attention better than text-based content.
• Improved retention: Studies show that learners retain more information from video content compared to written material.
• Flexibility: With video content, employees can access training anytime and anywhere. This flexibility allows them to learn at their own pace.
• Personal connection: When employees see real faces and hear voices in videos, it creates an emotional connection that enhances learning.

Challenges of video-based learning

While video-based learning offers many benefits, there are also challenges to consider:

• Production costs and time: High-quality video content can be expensive to produce. You need a solid investment in equipment, software, and expertise.
• Over-saturation: Not all video content is equally effective. Learners can become fatigued or disengaged if the videos are too long, lack interactivity, or feel repetitive
• Accessibility: Not all employees may have access to the latest technology or a quiet, distraction-free environment to view videos. It’s essential to make videos accessible on multiple devices and ensure they can be easily viewed in different contexts.
• Technical issues: Video content can face technical problems, such as buffering, compatibility issues, or poor video quality. These issues can hinder the learning experience and cause frustration among learners.

Best practices for creating video-based content

To ensure youTo ensure your video-based learning is effective and engages learners from start to finish, follow these best practices:

Keep videos short and focused

Aim for videos that are 2 to 4 minutes long. Shorter videos are easier to digest and maintain learner engagement. If the topic is more complex, consider breaking it down into multiple smaller videos.

Use high-quality visuals and sound

Invest in good video and audio equipment. Poor-quality videos can distract from the message and create a negative learning experience.

Add interactivity

Enhance engagement by including interactive elements like clickable links, embedded quizzes, or branching scenarios. These elements encourage learners to actively participate in their learning rather than passively watch a video.

Provide transcripts and captions

Make your video content accessible to all learners, including those with hearing impairments or those who prefer to watch without sound. Transcripts and captions also help learners better understand the content.

Align with learning objectives

Ensure that each video ties directly to your training goals. Avoid creating video content just for the sake of it, every video should serve a clear purpose and contribute to the overall learning experience.

5 ways video-based learning can enhance employee training

Effective video learning creates a reaction. It’s not just about watching; it’s about connecting, understanding, and applying knowledge. So, how do you achieve this? 

While every project is different, there are some common ways you can maximize the benefits of video-based learning in your employee training.

1. Empowering knowledge sharing

Employee-generated videos are a great way to share knowledge, expertise, and experience. These can cover everything from ‘how to’ guides to real-life stories. 

Quick and cost-effective to produce, they add an authentic and human voice to your learning that your people will relate to and trust.

Examples:

• Experts demonstrating a step-by-step process in a video tutorial.
• Talking head videos of employees telling their stories and sharing their experiences.

Explore a video interview example

2. Making learning more accessible

Thanks to the rise of TikTok, we’re watching more and more quick, snappy videos on our phones. Bite-sized, on-demand video content can be accessed anytime, anywhere, and it’s a game changer for training. Accessing video learning in the moment of need and the flow of work means it can be applied immediately. 

Considerations:

• Duration: Attention spans are short. Aim for the sweet spot of between 2 and 4 minutes to maintain your audience’s focus.
• Accessibility: Add transcripts and closed captions to support inclusive learning for those who are hearing impaired or unable to watch with sound.

3. Simplifying complex topics

Explainer videos can help bring complicated content and complex ideas to life. Use animated videos to walk through diagrams and conceptual graphics. Tell stories and share examples to simplify content and show how it works in reality. 

Considerations:

• Avoid overload: With the potential to have lots happening on screen, take care not to overload learners with too much information and too many formats. 
• Think big picture: When breaking down complex topics into understandable chunks, be sure to tell a cohesive story that’s greater than its individual parts.

4. Supporting on-the-job learning and microlearning

Easy to access and digest, videos are great as quick, on-the-job guides. Don’t think of these videos as standalone assets. Get learners to reflect on what they’ve seen or heard and put what they’ve learned into practice. 

Make this part of a wider blend of microlearning assets. A well-chosen combination of content and interactions will produce learning with impact. 

Examples:

• Onboarding assets for new employees.
• Step-by-step guides to completing activities within processes.

Explore a microlearning example

5. Creating immersive learning experiences

Great immersive learning experiences connect hearts and heads. Interactive videos draw learners into a story. It enables them to make decisions and see the impact of their choices in an environment where they don’t have to worry about failure. This emotional connection is vital for effective learning to take place.

Examples:

• Virtual Reality (VR) videos.
• Video simulations of real-world scenarios and challenges.

Explore a video simulation example

3 of the best authoring tools for video-based learning

Once you’ve decided how to use video in your employee training, you need to find the right tool to create it. 

Here are three of the top authoring tools that can help.

Elucidat

Elucidat is a powerful tool for creating high-quality, responsive video-based elearning. Whatever your level of expertise, customizable templates mean you’ll be producing video learning in no time. Interactive video capabilities can be used to create scenario-based training and personalization. Being fully cloud-based means you can do this in collaboration with your colleagues. 

Camtasia

Specializing in screen recording and video editing, Camtasia is a desktop-based tool. In addition to producing training videos, you can add some interactive elements to your video learning. It may not be as powerful as other authoring tools, but Camtasia can have great results. 

Articulate Storyline 360

Articulate Storyline 360 is one of the most well-known names in the authoring tool market. It’s also a versatile tool for creating interactive video-based courses. You can use the core functionality to produce interactive videos, quizzes, and branching scenarios.

Want to find out more? Read a full comparison and review of these elearning authoring tools.

The future of video-based learning

The future of video-based learning is promising, with AI and emerging technologies paving the way for more personalized, interactive experiences.. Here’s how video-based learning could evolve:

• AI-driven personalization
• Interactive video with AI
• Enhanced analytics
• Virtual and augmented reality

As these technologies evolve, video-based learning will become even more powerful in shaping employee development.

Conclusion

Video is a sure-fire way to bring your elearning to life. It can boost learner engagement, create emotional connections, reduce cognitive load, and enhance knowledge retention. However, just adding any old video into your digital learning isn’t going to have the right impact. It’s the content of the video that really matters. 

Consider what part video could play in your organization’s learning strategy. Of course, every project is unique, but there are some common ways that video learning can enhance your employee training:

1. Use employee-generated videos to encourage knowledge sharing.
2. Create bite-sized, on-demand video that can be accessed anywhere, anytime. 
3. Simplify complex topics with videos and animations.
4. Support on-the-job learning with microlearning video assets.
5. Immerse your employees in their learning experiences with interactive video.

Resources for enhancing employee training

Looking to take your video-based training and employee training a step further? Here are some best practice resources to help you:

• How to create engaging elearning (course)
• 3 ways to meet learner expectations
• How to boost elearning engagement with compelling content

Ready to start creating video learning experiences with impact? Book a demo of Elucidat and start your free trial today.