Best Video Learning Platforms of 2020

September 14, 2021
3 min. to read

Specifically, Cristian Duque from LMSPulse refers to uQualio as a pedagogically thoughtful video eLearning platform armed with a set of tools intended to increase the effectiveness of video lessons such as microlearning, gamification, and community interactivity features, dubbing us as one of the most comprehensive tools around in 2020.

Go check out what he wrote here: https://www.lmspulse.com/2020/best-lms-video-platform
Or read it here (including only uQualio)

How To LMS: Video — Best Video Learning Platforms of 2020

It seems the industry finally got the memo. Video continues to grow as the top engagement medium. A new LMS Video Platform launches every so often, hoping to make a dent in a space eager for disruption. We love all-round Open Source BigBlueButton, you may not. Kaltura and Panopto seem to gain popularity as of recent. Warpwire or Bongo are examples of niche plays. uQualio aims to become so good at video it might want to get you doubt if you need an LMS in the first place. And will someone else get the last mover advantage?

As it is the case with relatively complex tech, it is just not possible to draw the best LMS video platform out of the box and see results straight up. I wish it was that easy! Strategy, planning and implementation come first, and rushing things can simply be frustrating no matter the tool you end up with. It’s okay. All this time we’ve been walking, and video is a motorized vehicle. Keep a few basics in check, keep your eyes on the road, and your learners will be set for an amazing trip.

What kind of ride do you want to be on?

Think about it for a sec: Do you need a motorcycle, a bus, a monster truck? We are still at an early stage of full-fledged, widespread video in learning. It means the industry has not settled on what the basic standards for an LMS video platform are. This is a challenge when it comes to choosing the best LMS video platform for you

It makes our warnings about the shiny stars in ratings and review sites very relevant. But with this guide, we hope you find the right one.

YouTube for Schools? Why no video platform it’s a great (and a terrible) idea

The best LMS Video Platforms are the one that cater to your needs. Which begs an obvious question: What do you need? Do you even need one right now? It depends on how prominent video features in your learning and business strategy. If you don’t have one yet, and all you want is to explore the possibilities of video in education, keep it simple. YouTube, Vimeo or TeacherTube will do fine.

So how deep does your video platform urge go? Let’s find out:

First floor: I just want to share some cool videos with my students

Want to find the perfect TED Talk YouTube can offer? I hear there is always one. Show the great, introductory “101” series by NatGeo? Talk about the latest in space exploration and how it relates to your classroom subject? Cat videos for kids? (For a debate on their social and cultural implications, of course.)

No need for anything else than a link to the video. Most modern LMS today automatically embed the video on the page. In this case, an additional platform for a popular video site like YouTube could actually undermine the experience for your students. If they are frequent users they can add your videos to their playlist and watch it on the mobile app, even when they are offline. YouTube media production tools are superior too. Video analytics have no match. This also applies to the app. You can monetize your content, or restrict it. You have to let them store your content. But so do most other platforms.

Second floor: I want to make and share videos quickly, maybe encourage my students too

On this floor, built-in video and audio recording are LMS essentials. Some plugins or add-ons can give you an extra oomph in bells, whistles, speed and performance.

But wait! If all you want is to record yourself on a webcam for your students, let me interest you in live conferencing tools! In terms of simplicity and quality, BigBlueButton is a safe and sound choice. At least stack yor choice against its features. (In terms of price too: BBB is open source and you can deploy it on your server for free.)

Now, if you want your students to record themselves, social media is becoming the default choice. Instagram is currently edging in teen popularity. YouTube can also be considered a social network, in fact second only to Facebook in total traffic. Video-only social network TikTok, a is growing, especially in Asia. But its future is uncertain. (Remember Vine? Neither do we.)

Third floor: I want to build a content library for easy video deployment

Then this is the guide for you. Your choice will be down to your budget, desired features and needs. Read the next section for some basic requirements and features you might want to be aware of, and how some popular solutions fare.

Fourth floor: I want a platform that helps me align my video strategy with my operational goals

Now we are talking! Welcome to the highest floor, where you are one of few guests. You want LMS Data, Analytics dashboards, recommender systems and other next-gen solutions. The sky is the limit. This guide might be too basic for you, and so could be the bespoke solutions in our list. You might want to reach out to an experience partner with consulting experience.

LMS Video Platform factors and features really worth your attention

Some are more obvious than others. Feel free to chose, disregard and give them more or less weight at your leisure. In fact, a “rubric” approach could come handy.

Cost

The lack of standards for LMS video platforms makes cost comparisons very confusing. It makes the link between per-user price and feature set very hard. A fact vendors may use to their advantage. As a result, marketing ends up being the main source of customer education.

Creator Experience

I admit it. The following three factors are not as clear-cut as you might need them to be. The truth is, there is a known issue that affects platforms as they must serve a higher number of diverse users. Flexibility is key. But then the challenge is making more features easy to use without crowding your screen. This diversity persists within user types.

It is not expected that a majority of the users on a platform become creators. Yet the few who do should expect for simple upload and editing options.

You will be hard pressed to find a video platform that excels at video production and is good enough at the others. Professional video makers would not replace their high-caliber tools.

Curator Experience

It is common for video platforms to advertise themselves as “Libraries.” Meaning this one should be one of the features at which they excel. A “curator” is most likely a teacher, but other users could play the role. A basic feature set includes, but is not limited to:

Easy pick and choose videos to save into folders or playlists.
Quick search, ideally with operators and comprehensive filters.
Metadata: Allow to edit title, description, tags and keywords.
Sharing and controlling who can see the curation.

Learner Experience

Another essential set of components. Look out for features such as:

Easy loading and playback. Big, beautiful buttons is not asking too much.
Track watched videos. Resuming where they left off a previous session is a great plus.
Easy bandwidth throttling. Use the video’s best resolution whenever possible. But convert to lower to keep the user from guessing.
Optionally: “Star” videos or save them as favorites.

Compliance

A method to handle DRM (Digital Rights Management) issues is a must in this reality. The same goes for manual or automatic content moderation tools. The ideal platform is one that makes you worry as little as possible about these issues.

But there is a warning to be made about excessively controlling platforms. The current “Copystrike” system is the bane of a YouTube creator’s existence. Arbitrary “demonetization” is a growing fear for the best educational YouTube channels, even the most original and user-safe.

Accessibility

We cannot stress this enough. Accessible content is good for everyone, and it’s good for business. Hopefully, your video platform is aware of it.

In practical terms, it can mean:

Closed caption support. Automated subtitle generation would be ideal.
Compliance, starting with WCAG 2.0.
Compatibility with assistive devices. (Accomplished mostly by the previous item.)
High-contrast menu options.

Support

Good customer support is essential for solutions that provide their own hosting platform. It’s also the reason why high-level LMS-Video platform vendor partnerships are so popular. These allow you, for example, get support for both platforms through the same medium.

Offline access, mobile access, or a mobile app

One level beyond throttling features, offline access can be a godsend. The ability to download videos is an obvious solution. This, unfortunately, can run into DRM and other compliance issues.

Is your learning closer to classical, direct instruction? Make sure this is something your community actually needs, as it can be an expensive feature. Conversely, hybrid or blended learning techniques, including flipped classroom, could find these a worthwhile addition.

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