If you work in education or training, you probably start every January by reading about the trends that will dominate the year. Video learning (or video in education and training) has been climbing the ranks for quite some time.
Recently, I shared a list from AEFOL on social media about the eight key e-learning trends for 2020. These trends not only highlight the widespread consumption of audiovisual formats but also emphasize their growing strength: the implementation of new methodologies and narratives.
In this article, I will analyze where we are now and where we can go next.
Where Are We Now?
Before moving forward, we need to locate ourselves on the map—“You are here.”
We live in a social context where video consumption data is indisputable and steadily increasing.
For example, according to studies from 2018-2019 on YouTube in Spain:
- 64% of the total population and 88% of internet users access YouTube monthly.
- Among viewers aged 25 to 44, average daily consumption is around 50 minutes.
- In terms of devices, 2% watch YouTube on mobile phones, compared to 26.3% on PCs and 16.5% on tablets.
This audience is our audience—we must keep that in mind.
What Does Video Learning Offer?
Beyond its popularity, video is an effective learning tool because:
- It engages multiple senses:
- Visuals humanize the message, making learners feel accompanied.
- Voice makes the experience even more personal.
- It evokes emotions, which enhances learning. Whether through humor, music, or storytelling, there is no learning without emotion.
- It activates mirror neurons, fostering positive engagement.
What Can We Do?
Creativity is key, but we must consider:
- What is our objective? Are we using flipped classrooms? Summarizing key ideas? Providing a technical tutorial?
- Is video the best format for this content? If not, we should use the most effective medium
Then, we can define elements like:
- Theoretical vs. practical explanations
- Single video vs. series
- Who appears (image/voice)
- Optimal duration
- Style and tone
- Structure
- Script
How Can We Do It?
I will explore this in future articles, covering topics from casting to scripting, live streaming vs. pre-recording, and more.
For now, I’d love to hear how you are already using video learning and what challenges you face! Let’s grow together to help our students do the same.
