e-learning videos are considered to be an excellent and effective learning tool for educational courses since they engage learners in an active and entertaining learning process. These videos have the ability to make explaining and demonstrating even the most difficult concepts much easier for the students. Students could re-watch the videos as many times as they need. You, on the other hand, as the teacher, can use many educational videos that are already on YouTube or you can even try and make your own videos throughout your eLearning course. In order to reach satisfactory results, make sure the videos you end up using are in line with your student’s learning necessities, goals, and objectives. Here in this article, we provide 8 reasons why you should start including useful YouTube videos in your eLearning course.
1. Integrating is quite simple. Thanks to a wide range of authoring tools and learning management systems available, you’ll need very little effort to add YouTube videos to your eLearning course. These YouTube videos can be used to introduce a subject, clarify a task online, inspire your students, or simply supplement the information your eLearning course covers.
2. You can use it to start an eLearning community. Once you decide to use YouTube as a social learning platform, you’ll meet others online that have made the same decision. People who share their different experiences, tips, ideas, and opinions on YouTube. It feels like a diverse, strong community welcomes you to contribute your share and build connections.
3. It sparks and encourages online discussion. YouTube videos are an efficient tool to generate debates and discussions in eLearning classes. Allow your students to watch the video. Afterward, attempt to analyze it in the form of a class discussion. Engage your students with different questions that will promote their understanding of the topic. Try to clarify any parts that might have been vague and extract students’ different perspectives surrounding the subject. You could also ask them to share their feelings and personal experiences, if possible. If you wish to expand the discussion, ask your students to look for more YouTube video references on the subject.
4. It is perfect for mobile learning. When you upload eLearning materials on YouTube, they become accessible across the entire YouTube network, allowing your learners to view them on mobile learning devices like smartphones and laptops. No matter the size of your screen, even you could film yourself presenting a topic and instruct your students to get actively involved in the comments.
5. Microlearning is the way. Keep your educational videos short and effective. Especially when the content involves difficult concepts or complex procedures. Allow your learners to take small bites and chew on them reflectively. That’s how they’ll truly savor the taste. Microlearning technique enhances the students’ knowledge retention. Even if the eLearning video is a long one, this technique could still be done by the learners themselves. Learners could view longer videos in shorter segments on their chosen devices whenever they wish. This enables students to try and take all the information in at their own pace.
6. It improves your note-taking abilities. Both students and employees should be able to take notes, as being able to analyze material and concentrate on key aspects makes it easier to deal with the information deluge of today’s world. When you include YouTube videos into your eLearning course, you are enabled to push your audience to improve their note-taking abilities by having them watch, rewind, and replay the YouTube video content until they have understood all of its main ideas. You could further challenge your students with an assignment so they actively take notes in class. After taking notes, they will have to describe their understandings based on their notes. As you imagine, this activity helps them stay focused and energetic during the class.
7. It improves the understanding of difficult subjects. Some topics can be tricky to explain in eLearning courses. Visual aids such as YouTube videos, better illustrate complex concepts, procedures, and ideas. For example, if you train interns in corporate training classes, a video that demonstrates the process of the work step by step could really come in handy. It is proven that visual contexts help learners learn faster and retain information longer.
8. Learners could also make their own YouTube videos. As the final step, encourage your students to try and find their voices on YouTube. You can turn it into an online group assignment. Reassure them that during the course of the assignment, they will find out how artistically they are able to use the crucial knowledge they have acquired in classes. Let them know that this project will also help them improve their visual literacy and creativity. Instruct the students carefully to thoroughly understand what you need them to do. Answer any questions they might have during the process and provide them with the necessary tools and resources. Once the final results are ready, engage students in a class discussion by asking them to give feedback on each group’s project.
Summary:
YouTube is quite an interesting website to use for entertainment in your time of leisure. In addition to that, it can come in fantastically handy when it comes to education. Making integration easier, encouraging discussion, being available everywhere and at any time, and improving students’ other skills are among the reasons why you should start considering YouTube as part of your teaching or learning procedure.
