Research Confirms Video Improves Learning Results

If you want to improve the way students learn, retain, and eventually practice what you preach, alternative teaching styles should be considered.
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Is video really better than the written word when it comes to information retention, education, and overall experience? Survey says: Yes!

My company, Kaltura, recently published the inaugural State of Video in Education report in which more than 500 educational professionals from across 300 institutions unanimously agreed that video has the potential to create a real impact on education. Respondents -- who ranged from senior administration leaders to instructional design professionals -- noted that video can:

  • Change the way students learn
  • Boost attendance
  • Create stronger alumni relations
  • Increase the chances for success
  • Influence learning outcomes and the overall student experience

One respondent went as far as to say teachers will "have to" produce multimedia instructional content in order to bridge the gap between online and offline meetings.

Some of the study's other major findings:

  • 81 percent of respondents agree that online learning will grow in prominence and underpin the award of a large number of degrees going forward
  • 52 percent state video use has been driven from the 'bottom up' by faculty
  • 49 percent estimate a typical student watches six to 20 education videos per month

In 2013, the flipped classroom made its way into the education video scene. In fact, 57 percent agree that flipped classrooms will become a standard teaching method in higher education, with 48 percent saying their institutions already practice such. But now in 2014, subscription-based education is being considered, too.

Think of exciting and engaging environments, something along the lines of Netflix or Hulu where teachers and students subscribe for self-improvement, discover new things, and be encouraged to watch more content in a video-centric inviting environment. More than half of those surveyed believe their institutions would be interested in this type of educational video portal. This is an environment that could definitely encourage watching more content, recommending content and catering to the taste of the viewer, allowing viewers to easily share, and enhance the metadata of the content.

Responses are consistent with recent advances in virtual education and distant learning, and there is already a big leap toward virtual education. The U.S. Department of Education estimates 48 states and the District of Columbia currently support online learning opportunities that range from supplementing classroom instruction on an occasional basis to enrolling students in full-time programs.

On the student side of things, video may be the best way to improve learning styles, especially when it comes to remembering key facts and figures. Forrester Research estimates one minute of online video equates to approximately 1.8 million written words. In addition, 90 percent of information transmitted to the brain is visual, and visuals are processed 60,000 times faster in the brain than text. This indicates visual education aids like video can improve learning styles and increase the rate at which we retain information.

If you want to improve the way students learn, retain, and eventually practice what you preach, alternative teaching styles should be considered. This is especially important to examine as students continue to change the way they consume information.

What do you think? Do you think video would improve the education system?

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