How do you balance video quality and accessibility in online training platforms?

1 Why video matters

Video is a powerful medium for engaging and educating your employees. It can convey complex information, demonstrate skills, and evoke emotions. Research shows that video can improve learning outcomes, retention, and motivation. Video can also reduce training costs, time, and resources compared to traditional methods.

2 How to create quality videos

Creating quality videos requires careful consideration of content, production, and format. Start by planning your video content based on learning objectives, audience, and context. Use a script, storyboard, or outline to organize your ideas and use examples, stories, and scenarios to illustrate your points. When it comes to production, use a good camera, microphone, and lighting to capture your video. Choose a suitable location, background, and attire. Speak clearly, confidently, and naturally. Edit your video to remove errors, add transitions, and enhance the sound and image quality. When it comes to format, choose a video format that suits your platform, device, and bandwidth. Compress your video to reduce the file size and loading time, but avoid compromising the quality. Finally, use captions, subtitles, or transcripts to make your video accessible and searchable.

3 How to deliver videos effectively

To effectively deliver videos, you must consider the platform, audience, and purpose. When selecting a platform, consider the technical, security, and budget requirements. You can use a dedicated online learning platform, such as Moodle, or a general video hosting platform, such as YouTube. It is important to understand your audience and their preferences, needs, and challenges. You can use surveys, interviews, or analytics to gather feedback and data. Additionally, customize your video content and delivery based on your audience's characteristics, such as their prior knowledge, learning styles, and device preferences. Lastly, define your purpose and goals for using video in your training. Align your video content and delivery with your purpose and goals, and measure the impact and outcomes of your video.

4 How to enhance video engagement

Video engagement is the degree to which your learners interact with and respond to your video. To maximize engagement, you should consider the length of your video, the use of interactive elements, and the motivation of your learners. Research suggests that the optimal video length for online learning is between 6 and 9 minutes. Longer videos can cause cognitive overload, boredom, and distraction, so break down your video into smaller segments and use titles, summaries, and transitions to guide your learners. You can use tools, such as H5P, to create and embed interactive video content, or use live video, such as webinars, to facilitate real-time interaction and collaboration. Additionally, you can use techniques, such as gamification, storytelling, or humor, to make your video more appealing and fun. You can also use incentives, such as badges, certificates, or rewards, to encourage and recognize your learners' achievements.

5 How to support video learning

Video learning is not a standalone activity, but rather a part of a broader learning experience. To ensure successful video learning, you need to consider the context, support, and evaluation of your video. Provide context and relevance for your video by explaining why and how it relates to your learning objectives, curriculum, and assessment. Offer technical, pedagogical, and social support to help your learners access, understand, and apply your video. Evaluate your video and its impact by using formative and summative assessment methods, analytics, and metrics. Use the results to improve your video content and delivery, and to demonstrate its value and return on investment.