Video production in education

 Ever since the widespread adoption of television and video technology, education has made use of video. Since the start of the pandemic, video in education has moved from being an optional add on, to being integral to the delivery of programmes. Across all age sectors and aspects of education, video now plays an important role.

Creating compelling educational videos that successfully engage students and communicate the learning message is by no means straightforward.

How do you create videos that support learning and meet your goals?

 Live or on-demand video?

Live video, making use of internet technology such as Zoom, requires both students and teachers to share a virtual space at the same time for learning to take place. This can be hugely disadvantageous for a number of reasons. Not all students have equal access to the technology required or may have to share it with other members of their household. Access to high-speed internet and other technical problems can ruin even the best laid plans.

With on-demand, or pre-recorded educational videos, students can watch lessons and lectures on their own learning schedule. They’re also able to go back and review the content as needed. That makes it a great option if they’re studying for exams, or if students require more time to absorb key information.  

Pre-recorded content also allows teachers and instructors to use the video in classroom settings, perhaps supported by a range of other learning materials. On-demand video also allows students to study successfully at a distance, perhaps while juggling other commitments.

Student engagement

When it comes to creating educational videos, it’s important to consider student engagement. Video needs to be compelling. If students don’t watch the videos, they can’t learn from them. There are a number of ways in which engagement can be encouraged ensuring that students don’t tune out while watching your carefully crafted content. Luckily, there’s a body of research into what makes for good multimedia practice when it comes to ensuring student engagement.

Keep it brief

Studies have shown that the median engagement time for videos less than six minutes long is close to 100%. That means, students are highly likely to watch short videos. As videos get longer, there is a drop off in engagement, meaning by the time a video reaches 12 minutes long, there is a 50% drop in engagement.

For maximum impact, keep your video short and to the point. In fact, it’s better to make several separate videos exploring related themes than one long video.

A conversational style

Sometimes known as the ‘personalisation principle’, using conversational rather than formal language during multimedia presentations has been shown to make an impression on students. It can lead to a greater sense of engagement, helping them to relate to the narrator.

Students also appear to appreciate a fairly brisk speaking style, meaning that you shouldn’t labour the point. Pace often indicates enthusiasm, and this is another important component of your delivery. If you sound bored with the content you’re delivering, why would anyone else take any interest in what you have to say? Enthusiasm, when it’s sincere, can often be infectious.

Make sure students feel the material is aimed at them

 While it’s acceptable to reuse your video material for different classes and year groups, students should always feel that the video content is aimed at them. If the material doesn’t appear to address their learning needs and place on their educational journey, then they’re likely to switch off.

 You have to communicate the relevance of the material to your target audience and that audience will by necessity have boundaries. Videos that are too general in their focus will be less engaging.

Active learning

As well as keeping students engaged, it’s crucial that tools are provided that help them to process what they’re being taught and to monitor their own learning progress.There are a number of ways that this can be carried out.

Use guiding questions

Research has indicated that using questions related to each video or section of video, help students to engage with the content that they’re viewing. The content itself could contain the questions, creating points where video could be paused allowing students to write down their answers. This gives students the opportunity to go over what they’ve just learnt.

Make it interactive

Incorporating interactivity into a video allows students to feel a sense of ownership and control of the material. If they are watching the material independently, it could be split into chapters, with supporting material alongside each section that encourages them to watch and rewatch to find the right answers.

Chapters not only allow students to divide up their learning, they also help to communicate a sense of structure and how the information is organised. Questions and quizzes can be integrated into the video itself.

Make videos part of your active learning strategy

Educational videos should have a clear purpose within an overall learning strategy for your students. They should encourage active learning, rather than being a passive medium, helping to shape, inspire and motivate.

Eight Engines can help you create educational content that gets results

At Eight Engines, we understand what makes a good educational video. We bring industry standard production values to everything we do, embedding world-class storytelling into all of our videos. Whatever the subject matter, we can ensure the finished product is of the highest standard and meets all of your learning goals.

To find out more about how we work call 0161 974 1319 or email Info@eightengines.com