Video is a powerful medium of instruction in the average learning environment. Nearly 90% of all information transmitted to the brain is visual, which is why educational video content is far more engaging than text or pictures alone.
But this isn’t true in every case. Nearly half of all online content goes unwatched, including educational videos. Today, the difference between performant, well-watched videos and underutilized, boring content boils down to a single concept: engagement.
Today’s educators should champion video as a specialized educational tool and focus on the roles that management and organization play in delivering impactful and engaging video content.
Major factors of disengaging educational content
To engage viewers effectively, educational content requires close attention to detail and copious amounts of polish. This includes understanding the major factors that depreciate or devalue its message.
According to scientific studies, several elements can cause disengagement with video content. These include:
- Poor explanation quality. Videos that do not provide clear, concise, and accessible learning explanations are more likely to suffer from low engagement.
- Weak presentation. Unpolished or haphazard production values make it difficult for viewers to take your content seriously.
- Low-quality content. Educational videos that do not maintain a certain level of quality may be disengaging to average viewers.
- Bad efficiency. If your video is long or slow or takes too long to get to the point, it's not likely to be popular with modern audiences.
- Reduced vocals or videos. If your video is merely a talking head or a single still image, it probably won’t keep viewers engaged for long.
Avoiding these factors will help your content perform better for learners and educators.
Simple ways to make educational content more engaging
It’s best to focus on educational content that is short, simple, and easy to access. The following tips are for pre-recorded and live video presentations.
1. Short lengths
The shorter your educational videos are, the more engaging they're likely to be.
For pre-recorded footage or post-edited videos, it's best to keep lengths under ten minutes maximum. Research suggests that videos that are six minutes long or less have nearly 100% engagement rates. Anything longer than this, and the rate falls off considerably.
The perfect time is more variable for livestreamed content. Many organizations focus on video lengths between forty-five minutes and sixty minutes, while others go much longer or much shorter. It's a good idea to A/B test your content and study the resulting engagement metrics to identify the best lengths and strategies.
2. Interactive video
Videos that harness the physical and mental capacities of learners are always more performant in the marketplace. According to modern sources, interactive video content enjoys twice the amount of engagement than static content alone. This concept of interactivity may include the use of in-video quizzes, polls or type-in questions, or even short video responses.
You can add interactivity to your videos in several ways. Feel free to integrate with other platforms or invert the classroom for built-in learner engagement. For livestreamed videos, encourage viewers to ask or answer questions in the chat area.
3. Focus on organization
Organized videos are more likely to capture learners' attention for longer periods of time. They also enable staff members, educators, and editing professionals to exact greater control over content quality. This is especially vital for e-learning audiences because educational content is more likely to be watched on the go.
Helpful tips to keep in mind include:
- Use clear and concise titles that accurately reflect the video's contents.
- Choose a thumbnail image that will be eye-catching and easy to understand.
- Add closed captions and modern accessibility features.
- Leverage metadata and in-video tagging tools.
Educational video engagement is both an art and a science. A balance must be struck between content betterment, budget, and best practices, which is why full-service hosting platforms like Warpwire are the real secret of having engaging educational videos.
How partnering with Warpwire makes a difference
Since 2013, Warpwire has helped colleges and universities store, curate, and distribute highly engaging educational content. Regardless of your field, audience, or subject matter, the platform was designed to accommodate engaging content in any vertical.
Start by storing your videos in a cloud-based host that can be accessed from anywhere. Next, outfit each of your videos with myriad playback options, or integrate them with your LMS of choice. Feel free to use in-video search functions to locate videos immediately, or create customized folders for easy access in the future.
Warpwire has been trusted by 3,500 educational institutions all around the country. Users can tap into engagement factors, track resulting progress, and cultivate real-time, low latency learning experiences for attendees all over the world.
Warpwire’s video platform provides analytics to help you track media assets, media libraries, and system-wide usage. Designed to explore engagement, Warpwire’s reports provide deep insight into how your institution interacts with media.
To see how we can help you better leverage your video content, get in touch with us today!
