In 2023, video is everywhere.
And it’s people’s preferred medium – not only for entertainment, but also for learning.
It’s slowly but surely replacing text-heavy training materials, which comes as no surprise as it’s engaging, effective, and easy to create.
Easy to create??!*
Yup.. Let me explain.
With AI tools like Synthesia, anyone can make learning videos in a matter of minutes. Directly from their browser, in more than 120 languages, and with real human presenters. Well.. almost real. 😊
Check this quick example below:
So if you’re wondering whether you should be making more videos, here’s some benefits of using video in training to help you decide.
1. Video is engaging
Ever caught yourself watching a video you had not actually intended to watch?
I think we all know the answer. 😉
Because that’s the real power of video; it captures our attention and holds it in a way that other media can not.
So what exactly makes video-based training so engaging?
- Changing up the visuals
- Shifting the camera angle
- Adding graphics and text overlays
- Including talking-heads
- Using visual cues to direct the eye
- Using sounds to support the visuals
It is well known that the human brain processes visual content 60,000 times faster than text, but it’s the combination of images, sounds, and movement that creates an immersive learning experience that draws people in and keeps them interested.
2. Video allows students to learn at their own pace
The pandemic has changed the way we work, and also the way we learn.
And this is true for both:
People prefer to work and learn at their own pace.
In fact, individual pace of learning is the biggest motivator for people to learn.
Here are 3 reasons why:
1️⃣ Students want to control the amount of information they are taking in.
2️⃣ Students want to be able to apply their learning to their own lives.
3️⃣ Students want to learn in a way that makes sense to them at a particular time.
This all leads to new learning formats, such as e-learning, microlearning, on-the-job learning, and the like.
And what better form for this flexible way of learning than video?
3. Video-based learning feels most natural
Because video appeals to more senses, its consumption feels very natural.
The very core of the medium makes it interactive on a human level – it's a perfect format for telling stories, building emotional connections and conveying different types of messages.
It also makes it easy to humanize the content by using an instructor who is able to communicate with viewers through words and also through non-verbal cues, such as winks, head nods, and other common gestures that are typical for real-life communication.
4. Video-based training is accessible
Did you know that about 15% of the world’s population has some form of disability?
That being said, video is one of the most accessible mediums out there:
- It removes physical barriers to access
- It’s easy to translate and localize
- It works with assistive technologies
- It can be viewed many times
Want to learn more about how to make videos more accessible? Check this post 👇
5. Video reduces cognitive load
First – what is cognitive load?
Briefly, cognitive load is the amount of mental effort required to process information.
Too much cognitive load can lead to information overload, and this causes us to have difficulty learning and retaining new knowledge. 😨
But video, if done right, reduces the amount of mental effort required to process information.
Compared to other media, video allows you to easily break down information into manageable chunks and provide visual and auditory cues that can help students process information more effectively.
6. Video-based learning is effective
Reduced cognitive load leads to better information retention – which is the goal of every training, isn’t it?
Sure, you can always use some text-heavy learning materials to train your employees (and too many organizations still do).
But PowerPoint slides, long PDFs, or even books they have to study all require a lot of mental effort, while video is easy to digest.
And the result?
Viewers retain 10% of information when reading it in a text, and 95% when they watch it on video.
But let’s be even more specific:
A recent survey with the latest training video stats found that 97% of L&D professionals find video effective in helping employees retain information. They also find it more effective than text-based documents.
And these are the most popular metrics used to measure the success of video-based training:
- learning satisfaction scores
- course completion rate
- average time to completion
7. Video is interactive
Research shows that we now officially have a shorter attention span than goldfish, which greatly impacts how L&D folks approach learning.
One way to keep learners engaged is through various interactive inserts – and video is by far the best medium for that.
Why?
1️⃣ First, it’s interactive per se. Navigation buttons that allow user control ensure the most basic form of engagement. But of course, it goes much deeper..
2️⃣ Second, you can make it interactive by adding interactive features like quizzes, questions, and other elements that are supported by different LMS systems.
3️⃣ Third, you can make your video interactive by using a human presenter to lead the communication with viewers.
8. Video-based training reduces costs
One of the benefits of video is that it reduces training costs. It sounds counterintuitive – and it is, if we’re talking about traditional video production.
But when you move to AI video production with Synthesia.. That’s what happens:
🔹 Teleperformance reported +$650 cost savings per video compared to other video authoring tools and +$5.000 compared to traditional video creation.
🔹 Screenloop saved 500% of its video budget, by reducing the cost per video by +$1.700 compared to traditional video creation.
🔹 Conceptsales saved up to 90% of the budget compared to traditional video production which can cost up to $4000 per video.
Now pair these numbers with the growing trend of e-learning and…
The answer is clear. 📹
Another - and slightly hidden - aspect of saving money with video-based training is the ease of updating video content.
I know it may sound counterintuitive at first, but it's actually true.
As you know, training materials often need regular updates, and new video formats like AI video make it possible to modify specific sections or elements seamlessly, ensuring that learners always have access to the latest information.
Still not sure? Here:
9. Video makes it easy to explain complex ideas
Ever found yourself reading an article, and your thoughts were anywhere but there?
Especially when it comes to complex topics, it’s sometimes difficult to explain them with words in an appealing way.
With video, on the other hand, you can demonstrate complex ideas in a way that engages students' verbal and visual channels. You can use demonstrations, diagrams, various graphics, and music, and combine them with thoughtful narration and on-screen text.
And knowing that 65% of the population are visual learners, it’s definitely time to create more video-based learning content.
10. Last but not least: students prefer video
And all this leads us to the last benefit of video-based training: people simply prefer video.
They find it engaging, easy to consume, and more entertaining than other formats. It enhances social interaction and is more likely to be shared and talked about.
Plus, its rich, fast-paced nature feels more enjoyable than any other medium at the time.
And needless to say it’s always worth considering students' preferences. 😊
Closing thoughts + next steps
These are, of course, only some of the most obvious benefits of video in training.
Now, imagine a concrete text-based document you use in training and you’d like to turn into an engaging video…
Could be a PDF, Word document, e-book…
And if you’d like to do it without including third parties and breaking the bank, I recommend reading this blog post about making training videos with AI.
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