In the early days of online education, the use of slides, lengthy PDFs and text-heavy modules was common. Engagement was low and completion rates were even lower. Early platforms would use basic multimedia but didn’t have the sophisticated video hosting and delivery options available today. Learners often felt disengaged and lacking in support.
Fast forward to today and video has become the gold standard in e-learning. Whether you’re onboarding employees or building an online course, learners prefer video content and you need to offer them engaging videos if you want to stay ahead of the competition.
Why do learners prefer video? Video in education delivers information in a way that the human brain absorbs best. The brain processes visuals faster than text and it processes audio and visual information through different channels. This helps to increase understanding and retention. It is also easy to tell stories in videos which create an emotional connection with learners.
If you’re a course creator, marketer, or training manager, the evolution of e-learning video has much to offer. With live streaming technology and mobile devices, you have the potential to deliver your e-learning videos directly to your learners.
Videos are no longer just ‘nice to have’. You need to put engaging videos right at the heart of your e-learning strategies if you want to motivate learners and increase retention.
Early video in e-Learning: Static lectures and tutorials
In the 1990s, the rise of the internet began to open up new opportunities for online learning. The first online courses started to emerge and with the introduction of learning management systems (LMSs) online educators could manage and deliver educational content in a structured way.
When online educators first started to use videos in e-learning, they would often record and upload long lectures. Tutorials would feature talking heads explaining concepts with little else happening on the screen.
This was revolutionary at the time because one video could reach many learners all over the world. At the same time, learners found it hard to sit through long online lectures. They tended to get distracted when sitting passively and watching 90-minute online lectures.
Despite the challenges, online educators had the benefit of not having to be in the same location as learners to educate them. The foundation for scalable online education was there. It was an opportunity to offer learners more engaging learning experiences than having to study textbooks.
The shift to interactivity and mobile-first formats
In the 2010s, faster internet and smartphones were introduced. There was an increasing demand for videos and education became more accessible to everyone. With changes like these came a great shift that still influences how you need to design and deliver video content today. An increasing emphasis in online education is to deliver information in a way that encourages learners to apply what they learn in real life.
Short-form content
Learners don’t have the time today to slog through videos that are a few hours long. They want access to short, concise videos they are able to complete between other tasks or any other time it suits them. Short videos of a couple of minutes deliver content in small units that are easy to consume. As a learner finishes a segment, it offers a quick win and more quick wins translate into real progress.
Interactive video
Interactive learning video is one of the trends making online education more hands-on. Your videos may include interactive exercises and examples. You may embed quizzes in your videos or create clickable hotspots which turn passive viewers into active participants.
Viewers can complete a quiz to assess how much they know and where they still need improvement. You can also assess their progress and offer additional resources.
When a learner clicks on a clickable hotspot, a pop-up may appear that contains an image or other media. A hotspot can bring a static image to life by linking parts of it with definitions or further explanations.
As a corporate trainer, you may require employees to practice decision-making by offering them branching scenarios where they choose the path they take. Scenario-based learning helps learners to solve problems rather than just learn facts.
Learners have the opportunity to interact with a platform and learn through playing and doing rather than by someone lecturing them. When they have fun learning, they remember more.
Mobile-first learning
One of major online education trends that means learners no longer have to stay at their desktops is mobile-first learning. Videos work very well on mobile phones and put learning right into the hands of learners. Touch-friendly navigation makes content accessible from anywhere at any time. Video messaging offers you an easy way to communicate with learners and offer them advice and feedback.
Learners may use language apps on their mobile phones to learn languages or watch training videos on topics from leadership to safety training. Your learners should have easy access to video content within the course of their daily lives where they can apply the knowledge. The Duolingo platform does this well as learners feel as though they are playing a game rather than learning a language.
The Cincopa video hosting platform deals with all the technicalities of hosting and offering mobile-first learning with the cutting-edge technologies it uses. This includes its content delivery network (CDN) and adaptive bitrate streaming. It also enables you to add many interactive elements to your e-learning videos from quizzes to calls-to-action.
Emerging technologies
Emerging technologies are reshaping the use of video in e-learning. They offer personalization, immersion, and real-world application.
AI-driven personalization
AI-powered adaptive learning systems can track learner performance and adjust course materials in real time based on how they engage. For example, in corporate training every employee has access to personalized content based on factors like their roles and skill levels.
- Predictive analytics analyze learner behavior patterns and help to identify learners who are struggling. AI can make suggestions for content based on learner performance which can prevent struggling learners from dropping off.
- Waiting for feedback was a common problem in traditional classrooms. AI-powered chatbots and virtual tutors are solving this problem by offering learners immediate feedback and support. Learners know immediately when they make mistakes and receive information on how to fix them.
- Auto-generation of subtitles and translations allows your videos to reach learners who speak different languages or who have hearing disabilities without any effort on your part.
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)
AR in e-learning integrates 3D models and interactive overlays onto a real-world environment. When learners interact with the environment, the AR app reacts to their actions and displays real-time information. For example, a mechanic in training is able to interact with a 3D engine model to learn about the different components.
Learners can’t zoom in on a real-life heart to learn more about its internal parts but they can do so using AR. An AR app might add links, photos, or videos to a learner’s work environment to build a scenario. A learner may even be able to adopt an avatar and play a role in the scenario.
VR offers your learners a 360-degree environment in which to learn. Instead of reading about a business negotiation, learners can go inside a boardroom and practice the real thing. A sales team can role-play customer conversations in an environment that simulates real life.
Blockchain-based credentials
Blockchain will change awarding of course credentials with verifiable digital certificates. This will help to prevent fake credentials which can be a problem in the digital world. LinkedIn Learning and Coursera are already testing out blockchain backend certificates for credibility and security.
On Cincopa home page, you can find out more about the latest video technologies it uses to offer video personalization and interaction. The platform also gives you access to in-depth analytics to measure e-learning video performance and make improvements. It also integrates seamlessly with LMRs so you can offer a comprehensive e-learning solution.
Conclusion: Why video is shaping the future of e-learning
The evolution of e-learning video has led to more learner-centric and personalized content. Videos have become the backbone of online learning. Short-form videos give your learners quick wins and interactive features in videos offer hands-on involvement. The future of video learning will be increasingly shaped by AI and immersive technologies. Signing up for a free trial on the Cincopa website gives you the opportunity to explore its sophisticated e-learning solutions.
