When it comes to learning, there’s been numerous debates about the best way to absorb information.

Cue cards, colour coded revision tools and group tutorials have all been at the forefront of education at some point or another in a bid to help students reach their potential and pass their exams.

However over the last five years or so these techniques have taken a backseat, with video learning resources becoming the beacon for teaching and learning.

Why are video tutorials better?

Well, it all has to do with the human brain. Although the mind is incredible and can retain information from years ago in crystal-clear detail, there will always be topics that the brain cannot remember.

In fact, a study by SAVO Group highlighted how much of an issue this is for employers. According to research, just seven days after a training session the average employee will have forgotten 65 percent of the material covered, while after six months, that number jumps to 90 percent.

So it’s not a surprise that educational institutions have struggled for years to get pupils to recall information when they need it most. And no matter how many traditional revision sessions students have, there will always be gaps in their knowledge as a result of the lack of interaction.

So why the huge jump to video?

Essentially, it’s all about the figures. Videos are processed 60,000 times faster by the brain than text.

And when you think about it, that’s not so surprising. When reading text, the cognitive system has to do some pretty heavy lifting. And as it’s built into humans to avoid great cognitive strain, the tendency towards a lazier way of working and learning appeals to us and means we often choose the easier route to avoid us putting a lot of effort into something.

It’s also true that reading and watching requires two different brain processes.

Reading requires us to be actively involved, meaning the brain gets a much better ‘workout’. When reading an article, we don’t just read the words; we create ideas, thoughts and opinions about that content. Essentially reading requires an inner voice and narrative causing our brain to picture what we are reading.

Watching a video however is what we call passive – essentially not requiring us to ‘do’ anything other than maintain our attention. Much less demanding and more of an automatic process, watching a video requires a lot less energy on behalf of the person watching.

On top of this, a few years ago an American company called Kaltura published the inaugural State of Video in Education report which asked more than 500 educational professionals from 300 institutions about the power of video learning.

The respondents unanimously agreed that video has the “potential to create a real impact on education”, noting that video can:

  • change the way students learn
  • boost attendance
  • increase the chances for success
  • influence learning outcomes and the overall student experience

The power of video doesn’t just rely on scientific data – it comes straight from the source.

If you still find yourself unconvinced by the power of video resources, it’s worth noting that world-famous businesses like Microsoft, Apple and IBM are using the medium to upskill their staff and empower their employees to learn in the most time-effective way.

What do you think to video learning resources? Discover our superior range of resources for helping your children pass their exams.

TAGS: video learning, elearning, video learning resources, gcse learning resources