Learn by observing! This makes learning videos a positive learning experience for your employees and an attractive solution for your company

Learning videos or video tutorials can be summarized under the umbrella term of video-based learning. According to the recently published mmb Trend Monitor 2023, video-based learning has been steadily gaining in importance as a form of learning in companies for several years. 

This makes video-based learning the most important form of learning in companies after blended learning, closely followed by micro learning. At the same time, this shows another development: the trend towards short learning units that, depending on the context, can be used flexibly and at short notice as a learning medium in everyday work. It suggests that video-based learning will continue to be very important for companies in the future, because micro learning and video-based learning fulfill a very similar function.  

But what exactly are learning videos? How do they differ from purely informative videos and how do they need to be designed so that they can provide an effective learning experience as a learning medium? Our blog article explains it! 

Why is video-based learning useful? 

Video-based learning can be assigned to the learning approach “learning from models” or, synonymously, “observation learning”. This learning approach goes back to Albert Bandura.  

According to him, “learning from a model” can be divided into two phases: In the acquisition phase, the learner observes the situation carefully and concentrates and consciously perceives the object of learning. Behaviors that particularly interest him are the focus and are cognitively processed and stored. 

In the execution phase, what has been learned is reproduced by the learner remembering and repeating the learned behaviors. The success of the new behaviors motivates the learner and reinforces them.  

With the help of learning videos, observational learning can easily be implemented very effectively. Both visual cues as a primary source of information, as well as auditory cues, can be used to deepen the visually recorded information in the acquisition phase. On the other hand, learning videos offer a range of other benefits for employees.

You should pay attention to this so that your learning videos are sustainable and efficient 

#1 Learning Experience 

The combination of visual and auditory information can sustainably improve the learning experience because information can be stored more easily compared to still images and text. This is especially the case when behaviors are shown that are relevant to the learners, i.e. when they can identify with the people or the situation in the video.  

In particular, by using storytelling as a method, you create realistic situations for the learner that arouse emotions and that are therefore easier for learners to remember. In addition, the entertaining nature of learning videos should not be neglected - so make your learning videos entertaining, humorous and inspiring so that your employees enjoy learning. You can find out more about this topic in our article about motivation to learn through e-learning. 

#2 User Experience 

Ideally, keep the learning videos short and focus on the advantages of micro learning. Due to the shortness of the learning content, the video ideally fits flexibly into everyday working life and motivates learners to take advantage of the offer. The videos should be accessible from anywhere and repeated as often as desired.  

The videos represent a social learning tool for your employees that delivers relevant content exactly when it is needed. By keeping the videos simple in terms of both content and operation, no prior knowledge or preparation effort is necessary for the learners.  

#3 Profitability 

In addition to the factors already mentioned with regard to the efficiency of learning videos as a learning medium, economic factors can also be mentioned as an advantage.  

Depending on your specific needs, learning videos can be very cost-effective for you. With few resources, you can quickly create videos in the company and present them in a centralized contact point, such as on a platform for knowledge exchange in the company. You can make these available for retrieval on different (mobile) devices and thus quickly make them available to many employees. So pay attention to the cost-benefit factor for your next project. 

When is the use of videos suitable as a learning medium for companies? 

Learning videos cover a wide range of possible uses in the company. On the one hand, video-based learning methods can be used well for social and informal learning (you can find out more in our article about social learning ). 

In this context, it can also be an opportunity for your employees to have videos produced on relevant topics from their work area, such as short screencasts. On the other hand, learning videos or explanatory videos can also be used for formal training units that can be accessed from anywhere or can be available just-in-time.

As part of formal learning units, it is advisable to professionally design a video or several videos and produce them yourself or have them created so that a high level of learning success and interactivity is guaranteed methodologically and didactically. With regard to blended learning journeys, learning videos can also be offered before or after a trainer-led seminar in order to be able to prepare for the learning content in advance, get answers to questions or be able to repeat them afterwards.  

In addition, there are no limits to the content of learning videos - depending on the learning content, however, it should be checked whether video-based learning alone is sufficient. For example, for learning content that requires a lot of practical experimentation, it can be helpful to include a practical practice phase with the involvement of a trainer and to receive individual feedback.

Conclusion: This is how learning videos become a success for your employees in the company

In summary, learning videos are successful if they are short in order to keep the learners' attention. On the other hand, learning videos should offer relevant topics, such as learning content or case studies that have a concrete connection to the workplace. In terms of content, it is also a good idea to make the videos entertaining and interactive with the help of storytelling. 

If you are interested in how Cegos Integrata implements “learning by observing” with the help of video-based learning, take a look here: Our innovative MyStory format .   

Are you interested in an individually produced learning video for your company? We will be happy to advise and support you throughout the entire production process with our expertise and experience. We look forward to your inquiry.