Online learning is undergoing a transformation and one of the factors driving this is that creators can use their smartphones to make relatable learning content. Today learners see content through a lens that’s shaped by YouTube Shorts, TikTok and Instagram Reels. UGC-style e-learning videos capture the look and feel of these social media posts.
The most engaging online learning experiences today come from authenticity rather than perfection. Learners want to feel as though a real person is addressing them. They don’t want presenters reading formally from a teleprompter. The examples they use must be from real-life and the settings must be familiar to them. They respond to the rhythm of natural speech patterns and don’t mind some imperfections. It’s not about lowering standards but about aligning with what engages them most. The goal is to connect with them rather than deliver perfection.
If you’re an e-learning marketer or a course creator, UGC-style videos offer you the opportunity to use the video formats learners already encounter in their daily lives. You can use these types of videos to make your e-learning memorable. Traditional videos often struggle to achieve the kind of connection that these videos offer. They are a powerful solution to the demand for highly engaging content. Using the right video hosting platform allows you to create UGC-style video hubs for them so they are easy to find. Learners should also be able to access these videos on their mobile devices without any loss of quality on the smaller screens.
Why UGC-style videos feel accessible and authentic
Learners scroll through content all day and the type of content that causes them to stop and take notice is relatable with a real-world context and a conversational tone.
UGC-style videos feel like a friend explaining something
UCG-style videos feel like a friend explaining something rather than someone reading from a script. They don’t feel rehearsed or unnatural. When learners pick up on facial expressions, humor and emotional cues, they feel more invested and connected. The delivery makes learners feel like they are receiving insights and advice from someone who understands their world instead of from someone sitting in a lofty tower. This informal video education helps to build trust, which is fundamental to engagement in an e-learning context.
They have a collaborative feel
UGC-style educational videos don’t make learners feel as though someone is lecturing to them because they remove the barriers between ‘experts’ and ‘learners.’ Everyone is learning and some learners are just more advanced than others. Even slight pauses, background noises and movements in these videos can help make the speakers feel more human. Webinars in e-learning can help to create this personal connection because learners experience the humanity of an instructor.
They match modern attention patterns
The short clips fit with modern, mobile-first consumption patterns. They get to the point quickly and avoid cognitive overload. Modern learners have short attention spans and many competing digital demands. Short UGC videos are the perfect complement to longer modules and can prime the interest of learners before they need to tackle longer modules.
They build a sense of empathy
The professionalism of some videos can unintentionally create a sense of distance and coldness. UGC videos show character and personality and this helps to build a sense of empathy. Empathy is directly related to completion rates, course satisfaction and long-term loyalty in the world of online education.
The influence of social media video norms on online learning
Educators recognize that social media creators are helping people to learn. On YouTube they can watch tutorials teaching them how to do just about anything from cooking to fixing a car. Social media creators have mastered the art of making authentic learning videos that are visually engaging and easy to digest. They can create them using their mobile phones without needing a full production crew or fancy equipment.
High quality has a new definition
High quality today means clarity and connection. Learners prefer direct eye contact with the camera and natural speech. They want to hear personal anecdotes and expect close-up framing. These norms are now expected on e-learning platforms.
Algorithms reward engaging content
Online educators want learners to find their content and search engine algorithms help them to do so. These algorithms reward engaging content so it receives exposure to more people.
Interactivity is expected
Learners don’t want to watch videos passively and UGC-style videos must also be interactive. They may include a form for signing up for a newsletter, an annotation, or a CTA with a link to another video.
Microlearning works best
Social media has trained learners to absorb content in bite-sized increments. One of the modern video e-learning trends is microlearning and UGC-style videos support this trend. Teaching one concept at a time encourages retention. UGC-style videos help to support this. Short UGC-style videos can demonstrate tasks and help with onboarding.
Credibility is as important as credentials
Creators using social media to educate others have redefined credibility. Learners no longer judge educators solely by their credentials but by their ability to deliver clear and relatable content. E-learning brands need to take advantage of this and deliver UGC-style content to develop credibility.
Personalization creates more engagement
When educators personalize e-learning with videos, they are taking their cue from what videos are most successful on social media. The more personal e-learning videos are, the more engagement they get.
Ideal use cases for UGC-style education content
UGC-style content can make a considerable impact when online educators use it in the following ways:
Simplify onboarding
A UGC-style video recorded on a smartphone can walk learners through many different areas of onboarding. It can teach them how to use a dashboard or navigate new software. This works far better than any formal onboarding processes. Learners feel less intimidated when a peer explains how to complete a particular process or how to submit an assignment.
Create a sense of community
UGC-style video content in online education fosters a sense of community. Learners can see themselves in the stories their peers share. Live streaming a behind-the-scenes video where fellow employees share their experiences helps to build a shared identity and establish trust.
In a community, learners are able to share their thought processes and get input from other learners. They can improve their ability to express their ideas and interact with diverse individuals. When they make progress, they can receive encouragement from other learners.
Do quick check-ins and give encouragement
Using video messaging for quick check-ins and encouragement feels more intimate when it’s in UGC form. When an instructor records a quick weekly “hello and here’s what’s coming next,” it can help to create a sense of presence within a course. Receiving encouragement in UGC form can help to curtail drop-off rates from online courses. This figure is often high when there’s a lack of this type of interaction.
Offer how-to tutorial videos
Your customers can become educators and share tips and tricks that enhance the online learning experience for others. Learners prefer to learn from fellow learners who are a little further on in the process than them rather than from authority figures who speak down to them.
Market your online courses
UGC videos can capture the genuine experiences of people. Real instructors or learners talking openly and honestly can build far more trust than a polished brand advertisement. Social proof in this format will help to drive course sign-ups.
The Cincopa video hosting platform allows you to use in-depth analytics to understand how learners respond to your UGC-inspired videos. This enables you to keep making improvements to your strategies. For example, if you see a behind-the-scenes video where employees discuss their daily life getting a lot of traction, you can make more of this type of UGC content.
Conclusion – UGC-inspired videos as a modern engagement strategy
The rise of UGC-style e-learning videos isn’t surprising when considering how humans choose to communicate in this digital age. Learners want authentic educational content that’s easy to absorb. They trust educators who speak their language and share real-world experiences.
Adopting UGC-style videos is a strategic move for e-learning to feel natural on mobile phones, accelerate engagement and boost trust. Go to the Cincopa home page and you can sign up for a free trial. This will help you to find out how to create UGC-style video hubs and offer mobile-first experiences to your learners.
