During the pandemic, video consumption gained traction, and L&D teams seek ways to tap videos effectively for training. In this article, I show how you can multiply the impact of videos for training through a Learning and Performance Ecosystem.

How Have Videos Become the Most Versatile Format for Delivering Training Due to the Pandemic?

As the pandemic unfolded, YouTube noticed that the viewership of its videos exploded by the millions. Trapped at home, people wanted to learn – How to cut hair? How to cook? How to stay fit at home? How to work from home? – and a whole lot more. Videos quickly established themselves as the pandemic medium of choice when it came to informal learning.

As more corporate workforces were forced to embrace Work From Home (WFH), it became clear to L&D teams that their formal (and informal) training strategies must evolve to meet the training needs of remote workers.

Trainers leveraged existing ecosystems that work well in remote situations, such as social medial posts, podcasts, YouTube, vlogs, and streaming, to deliver training to their virtual audiences.

Overnight, it seems, the pandemic has led trainers to adapt and offer a host of virtual training (VILT/blended/self-paced online training) to their audiences.

The use of videos in training were a great fit to support this new training paradigm.

Why Should You Use Videos for Your Training Programs?

Consider this fact: YouTube isn’t just a video-sharing platform, it’s the world’s second heavily trafficked search engine, attracting more hits than Yahoo, AOL, Bing, and Ask.com combined. So, what does that say about the power of videos?

There is more as there are deeper pedagogical and psychological reasons why using videos for training is a must for corporate training programs.

Here are 3 key aspects that reaffirm why you should use videos for corporate training.

1. Videos can create impact at a cognitive level.

There’s ample evidence to suggest that our brains are hard-wired to better respond to visual cues than still (text or pictures) images. Using videos in training therefore results in more “sticky” learning, resulting in greater understanding and retention of knowledge. Once that knowledge is absorbed and understood, it can foster thought change and manifest itself as positive behavioral changes in the workplace.

Combining Virtual Reality (VR) content with 360-degree videos, adding simulations and gamification, and integrating other interactive elements with video training can also deliver highly engaging and immersive cognitive learning outcomes.

2. Rapid development of videos enables an effective yet cheaper and quicker roll out.

Given today’s technologies, it’s much easier to create, edit, and publish a video based training course than to replicate that same curriculum using PowerPoint slides, still images, and text-driven instructional content. Content developers can create powerful, impactful eLearning videos with commercially available video authoring tools and digital content development software.

In the face of rapidly changing information, rapidly updating training content is imperative. Because of their ease of creation and deployment, the use of videos in training makes them easily updatable and refreshed, allowing training to remain refreshed and evergreen.

3. Videos are a great multi-generational teaching tool

Ours is a multi-generational workforce, which makes the job of L&D teams even more challenging. Using a high-impact training medium like videos for training makes corporate training programs more acceptable and accessible across the entire workforce.

How Can Videos Be Used to Address the Complete Spectrum of Your Training Needs?

A multi-faceted corporate training program requires that L&D professionals address a wide range of training requirements. Videos lend themselves well to address a broad spectrum of training needs:

1. Video based online formal training is ideal for “on the go”
2. They are ideal to support Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT), and they work well when used as pre-workshop, during, and post-workshop teaching resources.
3. Microlearning video content works well as instant or just-in-time learning aids and to support point-of-learning initiatives. They’re great as job aids and supplemental learning support tools too.
4. Using videos in training makes great informal learning aids.
5. Leveraging videos for social learning, by encouraging shares and likes, expands learning beyond the formal training domain.

Strategies to Use Videos in Training by Leveraging a Learning and Performance Ecosystem Based Approach

Understanding how to use videos for training effectively not only helps create a winning corporate Learning and Performance Ecosystem but it also results in offering learners highly personalized learning journeys.

Here are five winning strategies that L&D teams should consider to create successful corporate Learning and Performance Ecosystems that use videos in training programs:

1. Launching and Building Awareness for Key Corporate Training Initiatives
   1. Connect with learners and improve learner engagement with teaser videos.
   2. Use videos to promote awareness of company-wide learning opportunities.
   3. Use videos to support major corporate change management programs.
2. Engaging Learners Through New Immersive Learning Experiences
   1. Create and deliver engaging, immersive learning with the help of interactive videos for training content featuring Virtual Reality based 360^o
   2. Use videos that integrate with branching and scenario based learning content.
   3. Spice up dull, dreary courses, such as mandatory re-certification and compliance training, by including gamified video content.
3. Supporting Learners in Practicing and Applying What They Learned
   1. Use videos that offer supplementary exercises, simulation based assignments, tests, and drills.
   2. Use video based micro-modules, mock drills, practice scenarios, and simulated learning content that allow learners to hone their skills in a safe, controlled environment.
   3. Sharpen critical thinking and “think on your feet” decision-making skills with the help of branching videos.
4. Supporting and Promoting Corporate Informal Learning and Company-wide Continuous Learning Programs
   1. Encourage user/learner-generated videos to promote informal learning.
   2. Promote social learning by facilitating the sharing of microlearning with videos in training delivered on social media platforms.
5. Building Instant-reference Job Aids, Reinforcement Resources, and Quick-access Job Support Tools
   1. Leverage video content to reinforce previous skills/training and mitigate the effects of the “Forgetting Curve.”
   2. Use microlearning videos to act as instant recall job aids, provide video resources for moment-of-need support and for learning refresher, review, and reinforcement.
   3. Build curated libraries of videos for training to serve as formal learning resources.

Parting Thoughts

The changed workplace dynamics have accelerated the use of videos in training. However, most organizations limit the use of videos to deliver virtual training.

In this article, I have outlined how videos can be used to address the complete spectrum of training needs by leveraging a Learning and Performance Ecosystem based approach. I hope this article provides the required insights on how you can use videos for training by leveraging a Learning and Performance Ecosystem based approach.

Meanwhile, if you have any specific queries, do contact me or leave a comment below.