Leveraging Video Learning to Enhance Corporate Training

Key takeaways

High-quality video training can engage visual learners and elevate your company’s corporate training practices.

• Examples of video learning include expert videos, animated explainer videos, screencasts, demonstrations, and interactive videos.

• Video learning benefits include its flexibility, scalability, high engagement, and cost- effectiveness.

• You can explore video learning at your company by asking employees for their feedback, looking for gaps in your current training program, and identifying training goals.

Learn more about video learning, including the different types of video learning, the pros and cons of this training method, and tips for incorporating video learning into your corporate training. Then, discover how Coursera for Business can support your training through our expert-powered learning platform designed to equip your employees with in-demand skills.

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What is video learning? 

Video learning, sometimes called video-based learning, is when you watch a video to gain knowledge. Video learning could be as simple as a homeowner watching a YouTube video to understand how to fix a plumbing issue, or it could be something more formal, like a professor recording themselves giving a lecture so students can watch it on their own time. In the corporate world, video learning can be a part of the training process. You might use video learning to teach certain members of your staff new skills, introduce new hires to company culture, or explain a new method to your entire team. 

Visual learners thrive on a combination of visual aids such as videos, imagery, and diagrams. Washington Technical Institutes suggests that visual learners "prefer to see information presented in a clear and organized way and may struggle with large blocks of text or spoken lectures without accompanying visuals” [1]. 

While this information can have a significant impact in an educational setting, it can also extend to corporate training. National and global companies like Disney, McDonald’s, and Deloitte have learned to incorporate high-quality videos into their corporate training practices. No matter the size of your organization, video learning may also benefit your employees. 

What are the types of video-based learning?  

Video-based learning can be live or prerecorded. It might incorporate elements like images, graphics, text, and audio to create an engaging experience for a variety of learners. Some various types of video learning might include:  

• Expert or talking-head videos: These videos feature someone with expertise in the subject matter speaking directly to an audience about that topic. They may be more intimate than other types of video learning. 

• Animated explainer videos: These videos are more like short animated films that explain a concept, usually made with voiceovers or text. You can use them in various ways, and making these videos can be simple and straightforward.  

• Live-action explainer videos: Similar to animated videos, these explainer videos use real actors rather than animation. These video-based learning options can have a substantial impact on their audience and help create an emotional connection. 

• Screencast videos: Screencast video learning involves someone sharing their screen and explaining, usually via audio, a concept by working through it on their own computers. It can be an excellent tool for technical education, like training someone to use a particular type of software. 

• Demonstration or how-to videos: In these videos, someone demonstrates or explains how to use a product. It's sort of like a live-action instruction manual. If you've ever watched a YouTube video to learn how to do something, you've probably watched one of these.  

• Micro videos: These are simply short videos that explain something in less than a minute and appeal to people with shorter attention spans. You often find them on social media.  

• Interactive videos: Interactive videos allow the viewers to choose what they watch. For example, the video might present a scenario, and you have to choose based on the scenario. These types of videos can help you assess employees' skills and knowledge. 

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Pros and cons of video learning for corporate training

Since the majority of people are visual learners, video learning often makes sense as a tool for corporate training.  However, it's only sometimes the perfect fit for the situation. Before you decide to incorporate it into your practices, you may want to weigh the advantages and possible limitations. 

Some of the benefits of video learning include the following: 

• It offers flexibility, allowing your employees to fit it into their schedules. 

• It is scalable, so you can use it to reach all your employees, whether you have 20 or 2,000. 

• When it has strong emotional content, it can engage your staff and evoke discussion. 

• It can surpass a human instructor's limitations.   

• It can be an easier way to explain complex ideas. 

• You can use it for a variety of solutions, such as onboarding new employees, demonstrating a new product, or developing your current employees' human skills. 

• It can be cost-effective. For example, if you record a video for onboarding new employees, you can use it repeatedly rather than paying someone to walk them through the information. 

• It may be more engaging and lead to stronger retention than other training materials. 

• Remote and hybrid employees receive the same information as employees in the office. 

• In some cases, video learning can help you meet state and federal regulations and prove that you did so. 

Some of the disadvantages include the following: 

• Video learning sometimes requires an internet connection, which can be challenging for anyone without easy access, including international learners. 

• Some employees may need additional support adapting to new learning methods. 

• Videos may look dated over time, requiring you to invest in the necessary assets to make new ones. 

• Videos are only sometimes engaging and may even be boring to certain employees.

• While many people are visual learners, others benefit from different learning modes. 

Read more: 5 E-Learning Trends That Benefit the Workplace

More about learning styles 

While some people are visual learners, not everyone is. Others might be auditory, kinesthetic, or reading and writing learners. For this reason, you may want to supplement your videos with other corporate training materials or even create a variety of video types. 

Auditory learners do best with sound, lectures, and other spoken language options. However, they may be distracted by background noises. So, while they may do well with video learning, an expert or how-to video might work better than another type with distracting visuals and sounds.  

Kinesthetic learners do best with educational materials that allow them to move and touch what they're learning. They may lose interest in a lecture or demonstration if forced to sit still for long periods. Micro videos that do not require a long attention span or interactive videos that get them involved may be the best option.   

Reading and writing learners typically do best with written material. They process through reading and taking notes. They may not get as much from oral presentations, so consider making videos with on-screen text or subtitles. 

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Tips for incorporating video learning into your corporate training 

When it comes to incorporating video learning into your corporate training practices, the pros typically outweigh the cons. If you're ready to make the change, these tips should help you get started:  

• Start by looking for gaps in your current training programs. What is your weakest area? Use or create a video that addresses that weakness.  

• Implement various types of video-based learning formats in your corporate training. Find out which ones your employees respond to positively.   

• Ask your employees what they think of video learning. What did they like about the last video they watched, and what would they improve? Add additional content or supplementary materials to improve the experience. 

• Make sure each of your videos has a well-defined goal and a way to measure their success.  

If you plan to record your own videos, make sure you:  

• Create high-quality videos with reliable equipment, good lighting, and high-resolution footage to keep the audio and visual components crisp, clear, and engaging. 

• Develop your concept with your audience in mind. For example, if you are making videos for new hires, the content will differ from that you provide to established employees. 

• Create a script and storyboard to guide you in preparing the message you want to convey.  

• Choose a filming location that matches the tone and topic of your video. For example, if you're training new hires for a warehouse job, consider shooting the video in the actual warehouse. 

• Speak clearly and quickly but conversationally.

Your go-to guide for training your team 

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• Check out a demo video to see Coursera in Business in action and how it can work for your organization.

• Read success stories to learn how companies like yours have utilized Coursera for Business. 

• Learn more about Coursera for Teams, designed for companies with five to 125 employees.

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