It may go without saying, but there’s really nothing like video. Ever since the first flicker of movement appeared on a screen, humans have been completely enthralled by the moving image. Which is why utilizing video content as part of a learning curriculum is a vital component to a complete learning experience.
Yet so many people stumble when attempting to create videos that are engaging, informative and timely – three key aspects of an effective video. In this article, we will explore some best practices that have been proven to make educational videos shine.
The A/V club
It may go without saying, but it really helps to have a sense of the people taking your class and anticipate their needs. Video has the advantage of reaching out to both audio and visual learners. Make sure that the video is engaging on both levels in order to reach a wider swath of your audience. Illustrative animation videos, such as those found on the NMI website, easily reach out to people of either learning style persuasion.
Content, content, content
When planning out an educational video, having a good script at your disposal is vital. Scripts ensure that you are capturing all of the information you need to share with your target audience. That said, a script should never sound robotic or forced. The tone should be light and conversational, while still navigating through a preordained set of carefully organized steps.
Likewise, remember when you are making this video. Ensure that all the information within your scripts are relevant and up-to-date, or even forward-focused, to ensure that your videos will be useful for the foreseeable future.
Keep it brief
Unless your name is Steven Spielberg, make sure to keep your educational videos brief and to-the-point. Less is always more in the world of educational video. When tackling several subjects, it helps to break up your content in chunks so people can access and tackle them on their own time.
Supplemental materials
Although your video will do most of the heavy lifting, providing supplemental materials, such as one-pagers, workbooks, or a list of key terms will give your students something to refer to both before or after class in case they have additional questions not answered within the video.
For more information or to sign up for a class at NMI, check out our website for a list of upcoming classes and times at www.newmarketinginstitute.com.