meta pixel

Press Play for Success: Meta-Study Shows Video Improves Learning

Study shows video improves learning

SHARE

A 2021 meta-study showed that using “pre-recorded” videos improves learning – and replacing existing content with videos can lead to “strong” learning benefits. 

Published by the American Educational Research Association (AERA), the study was conducted by a researchers’ team from Australian Catholic University (ACU) and the University of Queensland.

Method

As part of the meta-analysis, the team examined 105 previous studies, covering a collective sample of 7,776 students. The studies included in the analysis had deployed randomized controlled trials for comparing the effectiveness of video. The videos, including recorded lectures as well as edited clips with visual and audio elements, were compared with other types of instruction, such as face-to-face tutorials, lectures, and assigned readings. The analysis didn’t include studies in which the use of video couldn’t be isolated from other variables.

Study Results

The research found that videos were more effective for teaching a skill than transmitting knowledge. According to the study, this might be due to the fact that video provides a distinct, more genuine perspective. For example, the study revealed that for learning about Indian feminism history, there was no significant difference between sitting in a physical classroom and watching a video. However, videos had significant advantages over conventional methods for learning other things, such as a new skill or a medical procedure.  

The study highlighted that videos help learners when they see genuine demonstrations of skills with actual people. Videos also offers a fresh perspective where learners watched a skill via the eyes of the performer. 

The study results are considered “robust” across different subjects (languages or science), settings (tutorials or lectures), types of videos (recorded lectures or demonstrations), follow-up assessment periods, and lengths of video.

Video Resulted in Min. an Increase from a B to a B+

Compared to being exposed to the “usual” methods of teaching, when the learners watched videos, the average grade rose from a B to a B+. The result also showed that when the students saw videos in addition to their traditional physical classes, the learning-specific effect was even stronger, raising the average grade from a B to an A.  

As the researchers explained, there are several reasons why videos might be more effective than physical classes with comparable interactivity:  

  • Students can manage “their own cognitive load” by being able to pause and rewind 
  • Teachers can better optimize cognitive load through editing.  

One of the research team members commented that even after the pandemic, college instructors would find value in incorporating video into their teaching. According to him, high-quality videos might provide long-term benefits provided that all students have equal access to them.

Conclusion

The study results highlighted the need for higher learning institutions and L&D departments for creating and sharing high-quality video courses. This will help improve comprehension and retention, ultimately leading to better learning outcomes.

Want to Try Using Video for Learning?

If you want to incorporate videos in training, uQualio can be an excellent choice! It is an ISO-compliant, cloud-based video eLearning platform. Featuring a simple and intuitive interface, uQualio makes learning effective, fun, and rewarding with features like microlearning, gamification, course access via QR code, API integration, white-label customization, and more. 

The video training platform allows you to train any audience: students, employees, partners, and customers. It enables you to train through interactive video training, which you can create in multiple ways. These may range from screen-casting, recording, and uploading, to using links from YouTube or Vimeo, and even making AI-rendered videos.  

Moreover, you can take advantage of uQualio’s advanced course management & distribution to manage and share courses with anyone. Plus, you can keep track of everything with detailed reports and analytics.

– uQualio is an award-winning, easy-to-use, all-in-one NextGen LMS software for any types of online video training.