Many people assume that online courses have to be text-based, like online textbooks. But there are tons of different ways to teach, and one of these includes using videos in your courses to make them more engaging and accessible to your students.
With the right video editing software, you can use video in all sorts of ways - there’s no need to stick with the same old boring lecture format from the days before the internet existed! Here are six great uses of video in online courses.
1. Use Videos As Course Introductions
An intro video for an online course offers students the chance to get to know you and your personality, but more importantly, it’s a great place to establish clear learning objectives.
If done well, you can use an intro video as a time-saving instructional tool by walking students through course logistics and expectations. Not only does video help learners better absorb information, but studies have shown that video also enhances long-term memory retention.
When making an introduction video, keep these questions in mind: Who are my learners? What do they want to accomplish? And how will they benefit from my course? You should already be addressing those questions when planning or creating an online course, so writing an introduction based on that info is easier than you think!
2. Create Visual Guides
Create video versions of your lessons. You can either record yourself or have a volunteer do it for you. If you go with option number two, make sure to add annotations so that people know what part they’re watching! In addition to video guides, create visual guides.
This can include a PowerPoint presentation with multiple slides, images, and photos depicting how to achieve something or go through a process. It could also be infographics or mind maps!
Not only will these help students learn faster, but they’ll look great on resumes too. Just don’t forget to edit all of them together into one final product before posting online!
3. Include Testimonials
Because video testimonials are authentic, they build trust with potential students who are trying to determine if a course is right for them. With video, you’re not just hearing from experts but also other learners who have completed your program and want to share their experiences.
Video testimonials give a personal touch that enhances your credibility as an educator and helps convince your viewers that what you teach works. Even better, adding video to your site increases conversions; every e-learning business should include video on its website - and it’s even more effective when used alongside other tactics such as social proof (stats about how many people visit and enroll) or downloads statistics (showing how many people have downloaded each lesson).
Testimonials aren’t just great for encouraging enrollment; they can also help boost conversion rates.
4. Demonstrate Concepts
Students often see instructors as authority figures. They can understand complicated procedures and learn steps without having to read a lot of text. Video allows you to walk them through difficult concepts, which is particularly helpful if some of your students are new to the topic or even computer programs themselves.
Another awesome thing about video? It can be searched. If a student is having trouble with your course and wants to take a closer look at something you’ve covered, they don’t have to go digging through several screens to find it—they can just type video + the topic they want into YouTube or Google and find what they need.
5. Use Short Videos To Illustrate Key Points
In addition to being an engaging teaching tool, short videos can help learners better understand key concepts. Consider embedding a short video (e.g., from YouTube) that illustrates a point your instructor is making during class. Your students will love it, and it’ll make your instructor look brilliant!
6. Put Your Personality in Videos
Make sure your personality shines through when you create videos for your online courses. If you’re making instructional videos, try to make them as interactive as possible.
Showing students that they are not alone can encourage their learning and make them more invested in understanding new concepts. You can even incorporate call-to-action videos that prompt students to do something specific - like sign up for a newsletter or give feedback on a course - after they watch your video.
Final Verdict
Research shows that videos get 1,200% more shares than images and texts combined. This means that you should definitely use videos for online courses and educational purposes.
However, you may find it difficult to carry out video editing, especially if you are a beginner. Fortunately, there is a lot of video software out there, for example, Leawo, Winxdvd, and FonePaw. They allow you to compile visuals, stream in HD and convert to various formats, among other features. There are also free video compressors that you can use for your final videos. In addition to this, you can check out these amazing social media tools for education, allowing you to connect with your students via online platforms.
