8 Important Reasons for learning on youtube in corona / covid 19
8 Important Reasons for learning on youtube Why YouTube Should Be Part Of Your eLearning Course
learning on youtube
How did youtube helped us in the time of COVID 19 in the field of education?
YouTube is not only the kingdom of digital entertainment but it can also be a great environment for learning. In this article, I'll share 8 important reasons why you should use YouTube in eLearning and I'll explain how making it part of your eLearning course can truly benefit your eLearning audience.
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Why YouTube Should Be Part Of Your eLearning Course
You know already that eLearning videos can be a very powerful learning tool, as they add a dynamic element to your eLearning courses, improve knowledge transfer, demonstrate complex procedures, and help explain difficult topics. They can also be particularly entertaining and re-watched as many times as your learners wish. This is why the video-sharing website YouTube can provide unlimited opportunities to enhance your eLearning course by not only using the countless videos you can find there, but also creating your own to help your audience achieve their learning goals and objectives. The only thing you should pay attention to is ensuring that the videos you are using are aligned with your expected learning outcomes and are appropriate for your eLearning audience. In this article, I'll share 8 reasons why you should use YouTube in eLearning, so that you can make sure that including it in your eLearning course can truly enhance your audience’s eLearning experience.
It is really easy to integrate.
Adding YouTube videos to your eLearning course is an easy task, due to the variety of authoring tools and learning management systems out there. You can use YouTube videos to introduce a topic, explain an online activity, motivate your learners, or simply extend the information conveyed by your eLearning course.It can be used to create an eLearning community.
As you have probably seen for yourself, everyone has a voice in YouTube. Using it as a social learning platform offers you the opportunity to build a strong eLearning community where everyone can comment, contribute, and share their opinions and ideas.It generates and promotes online discussion.
eLearning videos are particularly effective facilitators for analysis. After viewing a YouTube video, you can encourage online discussion by asking your learners to add their personal insights: What did they like about the video? Was there anything they didn’t understand? How did the eLearning video relate to their personal experiences and feelings? You can also ask them to share other YouTube video references to extend online discussions, as video enhanced eLearning courses increase interest and engagement levels by presenting different perspectives.It is ideal for mobile learning.
Uploading eLearning content to YouTube makes it available throughout the YouTube network, which means that your learners can access it and view it on the go via their smartphones and tablets, devices used in mobile learning. It doesn’t matter how small the screen is; you can use YouTube as a platform for not only searching online video resources, but also sharing presentations, and inviting your learners to take an active part through their commenting.It allows for microlearning.
How about short, effective instructional videos on YouTube? Using videos for microlearning ensures that complex procedures and demonstrations of specific skills are delivered in small quantities, which enhances knowledge retention. Furthermore, because YouTube is available on all devices and allows your learners to watch longer eLearning videos in short segments, your audience can watch the videos whenever they like and take their own time to absorb the information being offered.Implement Microlearning effectively with the Right eLearning Content Development Provider!
Find, choose and compare the top Microlearning Companies for Microlearning!
It encourages the development of note-taking skills.
Note-taking skills are important both for students and employees, as the ability to analyze information and focus on important points helps dealing with the information overload of the modern world. Using YouTube videos as part of your eLearning course encourages your audience to develop their note-taking skills by viewing, rewinding, and replaying the YouTube video material until they have fully grasped its essence and key points. You can even create online assignments based on this, for instance by asking your learners to describe in a few words what they have just seen on a video in a specific time frame.It enhances comprehension of complex concepts.
Certain subjects can be difficult to explain; using YouTube as a virtual library to support your eLearning content by providing your learners with access to its videos allows you to better illustrate complex concepts, procedures, and ideas. Videos are ideal for demonstrating steps and, especially in corporate training, walking your audience through a process via a video clip can be truly effective. Visual contexts help learners to easily acquire and retain knowledge, as well as develop specific skill sets, as demonstration is the most effective way to get a message across.It allows learners to make their own YouTube videos.
Finally, asking your learners to be involved in a video production, as part of an online group assignment, will help them not only ensure that they can use the important information they have learned, but also develop and enhance their visual literacy and creativity. Consider providing them with clear guidelines to know exactly what is expected of them, as well as the necessary tools and resources. You can also use their YouTube videos to encourage feedback exchange among your learners, which promotes discussion and boosts knowledge retention.
Now that you know why you should use YouTube in eLearning and make it part of your learning course, you may be interested in learning how to create your own high quality eLearning videos to post on YouTube. Read the article Producing High Quality eLearning Videos: The Ultimate Guide and learn all the tips and tricks you need to know from each stage of eLearning video production, in order to successfully deliver one of the most powerful communication media to your audience.
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8 Tips To Effectively Use YouTube in eLearning
In this article I'll discuss about the various ways that you can use YouTube to create collaborative and powerful eLearning courses. The key to tapping into the power of YouTube is to know how to effectively integrate it into your eLearning strategy.
How To Effectively Use YouTube in eLearning
In recent years, YouTube has become a central hub for video sharing and virtual entertainment. However, it can also be an invaluable learning tool that eLearning professionals can use to make their eLearning courses more interactive, fun, and informative. In fact, it has the power to transform a potentially dull or complicated subject matter into an overall exciting and engaging eLearning experience.
Develop playlists that explore a specific topic.
YouTube gives you the ability to create playlists that are fully customizable. You can create a playlist for each subject of your eLearning course so that learners can quickly access videos that will help them expand their comprehension or learn more about a topic. This makes it an ideal tool for asynchronous courses, given that eLearning professionals can create playlists that accompany guides and courses, without having to provide individual links for each video.Create webinars that learners can use as reference tools.
YouTube gives eLearning professionals the power to create videos that learners can access even after the eLearning course has ended. These videos, either these are webinars or presentations, can serve as invaluable reference tools for learners who want to refresh their memory about a particular module or review the content before an exam. These videos also have the power to potentially draw in new learners, as well, due to the fact that they will get the chance to get a glimpse of the benefits that your eLearning deliverable offers.Have learners make their own YouTube videos to improve knowledge retention.
Why not ask your learners to create YouTube videos that recap information they've learned or focus on a specific topic? This will not only help to boost knowledge retention, but it will also allow them to build upon their design skills and creativity. Be sure to provide them with clear guidelines, so that they stay on topic and know exactly what is expected of them. For example, should they include narratives? How long should the video be? Also, offer them a wide range of resources that they can use to create the video, such as free image editing tools and free audio tools.Improve comprehension rates by visually illustrating a complex concept.
Complicated subjects can be difficult to explain by utilizing just text or images. However, YouTube videos can illustrate a complex concept or process by visually demonstrating the steps or ideas involved. For instance, if you are teaching the basics of point of sale transactions (POS) during a training event, you can create a video that walks the learners through the process, or even find an existing video that offers them an in depth look at how to perform the task. This will help learners to more effectively acquire and retain knowledge and skill sets, given that it provides a visual context for your eLearning course content.Use privacy settings to share videos only with certain groups.
YouTube privacy settings can be customized for the videos that you've uploaded. For example, if you want all learners to access a video, it can be set to “public”. On the other hand, if you want only a selected group of learners to watch the video, it can be set to “private”, whereby they will need a link to access the content. This is ideal for eLearning professionals who are offering “invite only” events or want to let a colleague evaluate the presentation before it's integrated into an eLearning course.Encourage collaboration through group YouTube projects.
Ask learners to further explore a subject matter by watching relevant YouTube videos, and then to discuss the topic with their peers online. Google Hangouts and other online chat platforms give your learners the opportunity to talk about the eLearning course, ask questions, and even offer their feedback on the student-produced videos. This allows eLearning professionals to add a more interactive and collaborative aspect to their eLearning course, which gives learners the chance to benefit from the experience and skill sets of their peers.Add annotations and links to provide additional resources.
You can quickly and easily add annotations to videos that learners can click to immediately access online articles, sites, or other videos that you feel may be of value to them. You are also able to add links within the description box of the videos you've created, so that learners can find out about other resources that will help them to better understand concepts or ideas that are featured in the eLearning course. Rather than wasting time by searching the web for additional references, learners can rapidly view information online and remain fully immersed in the overall eLearning experience.Design eLearning self study courses with YouTube and Google Forms.
With YouTube and Google Forms you can create eLearning self study courses that give learners the opportunity to learn at their own pace. You can develop webinars, recorded lectures, and presentations that current learners can use to explore a subject more in depth or even stand-alone eLearning courses. Once the learner has completed each module, a Google Forms quiz, that is free and easy to create, will enable you to assess their knowledge. Likewise, an online survey can help you to gather invaluable feedback.
There are a variety of ways that eLearning professionals can use YouTube in eLearning. Best of all, YouTube can easily be integrated into just about any eLearning course, given the platform's versatility. So, if you happen to be looking for a way to incorporate videos and interactive learning materials into your eLearning courses, then YouTube may be the ideal solution.
In addition, some say that videos hold the future of eLearning. I wouldn’t go that far. But what I can say is that videos can be a great medium in our domain if are well produced and strategically used together with other methods and techniques for the delivery of an effective eLearning course. If you would like to learn How to effectively use videos in eLearning, I highly encourage you to check the article 10 Tips To Effectively Use Videos in eLearning.
Do you want to create your own video? In the article The Best Free Video Tools you will find 8 free video tools that can be used by any eLearning professional who want to create video tutorials or presentations.
Last but not least, in the article Easy Methods to Create eLearning Videos you will find best practices in video learning and 3 easy methods for anyone to get started.
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June 21, 2016
4 minutes to read
4 Simple Steps To Launch Your eLearning YouTube Channel
Are you ready to have a seat in the director's chair and launch your own eLearning YouTube Channel? Check this article to discover the 3 key benefits of creating an eLearning YouTube channel and 4 simple steps to follow in order to get started on this adventure.
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How To Launch An eLearning YouTube Channel
YouTube is well known for its vlogs, viral videos, and product reviews. However, it’s also an amazing platform for eLearning. Most of your online learners are watching and subscribing to channels on a regular basis. Why not give them the knowledge and skills they need using a social media platform they already use? eLearning tutorials, demos, and task walkthroughs are just some of the eLearning content that you can upload to your YouTube channel. In this article, you will discover the 3 key benefits of creating an eLearning YouTube channel, as well as 4 simple steps you can follow to launch one of your own.
3 Benefits Of Launching An eLearning YouTube Channel
Here are just 3 of the advantages associated with creating your own eLearning YouTube channel:
1. Attracts new online learners
People are always looking for tips and tutorials on YouTube. In many ways, the YouTube platform serves as a modern MOOC, due to the fact that you can find an abundance of free information, from dog training videos to scientific experiment demos. Your current online learners will benefit from your eLearning YouTube channel, but you'll also be able to draw in new online learners who stumble across your eLearning videos. If you offer them real value and help them solve a common problem, they are likely to click through to your website or eLearning course page.
2. Enhances your brand image
High quality YouTube videos have the power to build your brand image and credibility. Online learners who get the information or advice they need from your eLearning videos are going to have more respect for your brand. A channel also builds awareness and conveys your organization's message in a visual format. Instead of just tweeting about a topic you're passionate about, you have the ability to create a stunning eLearning video that explores the subject matter.
3. Fosters an engaging online learning community
YouTube is more than just a video-sharing site, it's also an active online community. People from all over the world visit YouTube for information and entertainment. They leave comments on videos, subscribe to channels they find interesting, and even interact with other viewers via the channel's Google+ page. You also have the opportunity to link your Facebook, Instagram and Twitter account to your YouTube channel.
4 Steps To Launch An eLearning YouTube Channel
Setting up your own eLearning YouTube channel is relatively simple and straightforward. In fact, you can have your YouTube channel up and running in a matter of minutes. If you already have a Google account you can skip to step 2. Otherwise, you will need to create a Gmail address and username beforehand.
1. Setup a Google Account
All YouTube users must have a Google account in order to post videos or create a YouTube channel. The Google name you choose also serves as your eLearning YouTube channel name. So, now is the time to pick the perfect title that represents your brand. Ideally, you should opt for an attention-grabbing name that draws in your target audience. Make sure it's easy to pronounce and preferably under 20 characters. Once you've selected your eLearning YouTube channel title you'll need to fill out all the information for your Google profile and upload a suitable image. The image should be instantly recognizable and include your branding. For example, a picture of your organization's logo or eLearning course images.
2. Create your eLearning YouTube channel
Login to YouTube with your Google account username and password. Take your time exploring the interface and click on the "My channel" section in the left-hand column. Alternatively, click on your Google image in the top right corner of the screen and then select "creator studio". From this dashboard you can customize every aspect of your eLearning YouTube channel, view your stats, and manage all of your eLearning video content.
3. Integrate your branding
After you've familiarized yourself with the YouTube user dashboard you should start integrating your branding. Customize your eLearning YouTube channel URL as it will be a generic URL at the beginning, link up your social media accounts, write a description, and create a "channel art" banner for the top of your page. You also have the option to change your eLearning YouTube channel thumbnail if you aren’t happy with the Google account image. If you have a Google AdSense account you have the ability to link it with your eLearning YouTube channel in order to monetize your eLearning videos. Simply click on the "channel" section in your dashboard to view the monetization settings.
4. Upload your first eLearning video
The first eLearning video you upload for your channel should be the trailer, which serves as a brief introduction to your eLearning YouTube channel. Keep in mind that this is the first eLearning video that potential subscribers will see when they visit your page. After creating and uploading the eLearning video, via the "upload" button at the top right of your screen, you should add tags and a compelling description. Tags are keywords that users will use to find your eLearning video. So, make sure that you include any and all terms or phrases that pertain to your eLearning content. YouTube automatically generates a thumbnail image for each video, but you can upload your own as well. Invite your online learners to watch your first eLearning video and to hit the "subscribe" and "like" buttons. Encourage them to leave comments by asking questions in your eLearning video or inviting them to share their ideas.
Use this step-by-step guide to create an eLearning YouTube channel that improves online learner comprehension and enhances your brand. Remember, it’s better to take your time choosing the eLearning Youtube channel name, description, and video titles in order to build a strong YouTube presence. So, don’t rush and map out your plan of action in advance.
Need to find more about how YouTube can transform your eLearning experience? Read the article 5 Ways YouTube Can Transform Your eLearning Course to discover how you can use this video-sharing platform to make your eLearning course more engaging and immersive for your audience.
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Should I Use YouTube For Employee Training?
It's easy to create a few videos, post them to YouTube, and believe you've satisfied the requirement to train your staff. Is YouTube a great training vehicle or is it simply an easy way to waste money and other resources? Let's find out.
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Is Using YouTube For Employee Training A Good Idea?
The success of any business is dependent in large part on how well the company's employees understand and are able to perform their jobs. Training is the process we use to help workers acquire the knowledge and skills to be proficient. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2010) reports that employers indicate training is necessary for 3 primary reasons:
To provide skills specific to their organization
To keep up with changes in technology or production methods, and
To retain valuable employees.
Furthermore, the human reality of forgetfulness makes it necessary for employees to have on-going access to training.
Training a staff of any size can be a challenge. During 2016 the average small business spent $1,052 per employee for training (Training Magazine, 2016). Decisions to invest in training are difficult when a reasonable ROI is difficult to show. Furthermore, many businesses struggle to find adequate time to provide and manage a consistent training program. The average employee received 43.8 hours of training in 2016 (Training Magazine, 2016). And according to Mimeo (2016), the average Learning and Development professional has three different roles to fulfill within their company, which can divert their expertise into non-training areas.
Budget constraints, vague ROI, and scheduling difficulties have caused many businesses to explore easier and less costly ways to train their employees. Some companies have simply given up on training in hopes that employees will gain sufficient on-the-job experience as quickly as possible, and not need formal training to learn to perform their jobs. Other companies have begun taking advantage of free video hosting services like YouTube, Vimeo, Lynda, MediaPlatform, Viostream, and others. Consider the following YouTube statistics reported by Fortunelords (2017).
1,300,000,000 people use YouTube.
30 million people visit YouTube each day.
5 billion YouTube videos are watched each day.
3.25 billion hours of video are watched on YouTube each month.
300 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube each minute.
YouTube is free, it’s easily accessible on most mobile devices, and is utilized by approximately 180 million Americans (Statista). Who of us hasn’t used YouTube as a quick and easy way to learn how to do something? It is a phenomenal resource. So it’s not much of a stretch to consider that free video-based services might offer a ‘quick and easy’ alternative for employers to train employees. The purpose of this paper is to address the strengths and limitations of YouTube and other video-based services as an effective means for employee training.
Elements Of Effective Training
Effective training design includes the following elements:
Explain
Demonstrate
Practice with Feedback
Assessment
1. Explain
The first and most basic element of training is an explanation of the new knowledge or skill to be learned. Explanations should include (1) important supporting knowledge, (2) why the skill is important, (3) the context for applying the skill, and (4) detailed descriptions of the steps to take to perform the skill.
Example: To teach a Sales person the skill of responding appropriately to a customer who says “I’m just looking” the trainer would explain several things about the skill. The trainer would explain that “I’m just looking” is a very common customer response and should not be taken personally. The trainer would explain that helping these customers in a positive way can increase their sales. Finally, the trainer would name and describe in detail each of the steps for responding appropriately to this type of customer.
2. Demonstrate
After explaining, effective training shows a demonstration of the skill being performed. Merrill (2013) reminds us that this element is referred to as demonstration because it connotes the idea of showing learners application of the information. In other words, after we Tell about the skill, we then need to Show the skill.
Example: After explaining the skill, including the steps of the process, the trainer would demonstrate application of the skill. The demonstration should be a realistic encounter during which the trainer would perform each step of the process with an “I’m just looking” customer. The trainer would present multiple demonstrations to show the skill in a variety of different situations.
3. Practice With Feedback
Practice is the opportunity for learners to apply the skill in a realistic situation. They should practice the skill that has just been demonstrated to them. A variety of practice scenarios is best. It has been shown that practicing a skill in routine, or common problems enables learners to also use the skill in new and non-routine problem situations (Mayer, 1998). After each practice, the trainer should give corrective feedback. Trainers should explain which portions of the learner’s performance were correct and which portions were not, and why. Receiving feedback during the practice of a new skill results in improved performance (Mayer 2008).
Example: The trainer could place the student in multiple role-play scenarios that mimic real-life situations. The learner would practice responding to role-playing customers who say “I’m just looking.” This will require the learner to recall and apply each of the steps in the process that was described and demonstrated. Either during or at the end of each role-play scenario the trainer should offer corrective feedback by explaining what parts of the process were done correctly and which need improvement. It’s during these practice-feedback activities that the skill is really learned.
4. Assessment
One purpose of assessment is for the trainer to ascertain whether or not the learner is proficient in the skill. In addition, and equally as important for learning, the assessment informs the learner about their ability in regards to the new skill. That understanding can either emphasize a need for additional training, or instill confidence that one is prepared to successfully perform their job. Since assessment is the opportunity for the learner to demonstrate their ability, feedback is typically not included in an assessment. The best training includes assessments that are similar in format to the practice scenarios, but without the corrective feedback provided during practice. Feedback may be given after the assessment is completed.
Example: The trainer could place the student in multiple role-play scenarios that mimic real-life situations. The learner would practice responding to role-playing customers who say “I’m just looking.” This will require the learner to recall and apply each of the steps in the process. The trainer observes and notes how well the learner followed each of the steps.
Comparing YouTube To Effective Training
As mentioned previously, YouTube and other video-based resources are being considered by more and more employers as a training medium. Let’s look at YouTube and how it stacks up against the standards of effective training.
1. Explain
Explaining, or telling about something is the most common element across all kind of training, and YouTube is no exception. A bird's eye survey of education and training videos found on YouTube reveals that most videos include some type of an explanation of the steps of the process they intend to teach.
Score: 5 out of 5
2. Demonstrate
Much training is heavy on the tell and light on show. For example, textbooks typically lack a demonstration of the skill to be learned. Video, on the other hand, is an ideal medium for showing how to perform new skills. Many YouTube videos are exactly this - showing how to do something. Others do well at explaining but do not include needed demonstrations.
Score: 4 out of 5
3. Practice With Feedback
As previously described, practice is essential for effective training. In fact, it’s during these practice-feedback cycles that the most learning happens. The use of video as a non-interactive medium means that practice in any form is typically excluded in YouTube-based training. Individualized feedback on a learner’s performance is impossible using YouTube or any other video-only training.
Score: 0 out of 5
4. Assessment
Assessments provide trainers and learners with important information about whether or not the learners have acquired the new skill. Since assessments are similar to practice, YouTube videos are equally poor at providing assessment information as they are at practice with feedback.
Score: 0 out of 5
Overall Score: 2.25 out of 5
Summary
Video-based training providers publicize several benefits of using their platforms including; 1) reduced costs, 2) ability to accommodate different learning styles, 3) high engagement factor, 4) reduced travel budgets, and 5) accessibility. Unfortunately, these most commonly touted benefits do not necessarily equate to effective training.
For training to be effective it should include each of these four elements: 1) Explain, 2) Demonstrate, 3) Practice with Feedback, and 4) Assessment. The combination of these 4 elements helps ensure an effective, and therefore cost-effective program. YouTube and other video sources can be an excellent medium for the first two elements - Explain and Demonstrate. However, they do not provide the other two critical elements - Practice with Feedback and Assessment. Including each of the 4 elements in training results in a valuable learning experience with an ROI that can be demonstrated. The exclusion of one or more elements in a training program wastes both time and money. Managers should use these 4 elements as a guide as they consider the value of any training their employees receive, including video-based training. They may be surprised to discover they may not be as good as advertised.
References:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Survey of Employer-Provided Training (2010).
Edgar Dale, Audio-Visual Methods in Teaching (3rd Edition). Holt, Rinehart, and Winston (1969)
eMarketer © Statista 2017. Number of YouTube users in the United States from 2014 to 2019 (in millions).
Fortunelords. 37 Mind Blowing YouTube Facts, Figures and Statistics – 2018 (https://fortunelords.com/youtube-statistics/).
Mayer, R.E., (2008). Learning and Instruction. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.
Mayer, R. E., (1998). Cognitive, Metacognitive, and Motivational Aspects of Problem Solving. Instructional Science, 26, 49–63.
Merrill, M. D., (2013). First Principles of Instruction: Identifying and Designing Effective, Efficient and Engaging Instruction. Pfeiffer.
Mimeo (2016) Report: The State of Learning and Development in 2016.
2016, November/December. 2016 Training Industry Report, Training Magazine, 28-41.
Teaching Practice, The State of Victoria (Department of Education and Training).
Corporate Learning And Development Employee Training Video In eLearning YouTube In eLearning
By Nicki Wylie
April 16, 2021
3 minutes to read
The Future Of Corporate L&D: Moving From A Netflix To A YouTube Model
Move over Netflix, there's a new training model in town.
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How The Crisis Has Changed How We Train
Now more than ever, L&D professionals have had to step up and jump on board the eLearning trend, whether you see it as a temporary solution or the new L&D normal, it's clear that things have changed. With 2020 rendering face-to-face training virtually impossible, we've had to scramble to get ourselves Zoom proficient and transform our training plan into a digital training plan. So what have we learned? While having a large library of eLearning courses available for our employees is great in theory, in reality, this is a long process that involves investment in skills training, tools, and a full-time Instructional Designer more often than not. So what's the alternative? How can we, as L&D professionals, meet the training needs of our colleagues in a timely and fully digital way without sacrificing on quality?
What's The Netflix Model?
The world of eLearning moves quickly and trends are emerging constantly. Until very recently, companies were striving to create a "Netflix model" of education for their employees. But what do we mean by this? The Netflix model offers a library of digital training content (usually hosted in a Learning Management System) that employees can consume at their own pace, on any device. However, times have changed and needs have evolved just as quickly. Not only can this model be extremely costly, but it can also miss the mark on technical training or more business-specific content, such as induction packages and competency training. So move over Netflix, there’s a new training model in town!
To Buy Or Not To Buy?
While off-the-shelf content created by agencies can be great to cover specific learning needs and to create that Netflix library we’re all yearning for, it does come with a few pitfalls. Research shows that employees respond better to in-house or bespoke content as it feels more relevant to their needs. Having a large Netflix-style library of off-the-shelf eLearning courses can be overwhelming for employees, and may actually have the opposite effect. So what’s the alternative?
Whether you’re an L&D professional creating in-house digital training or you work for an agency, we can all agree that creating quality eLearning courses can take time, resources, and expertise. This, for a lot of companies right now, might just not be on the cards. So how can companies continue to offer their employees engaging, relevant training quickly and on a shoestring?
Say Hello To The YouTube Model
Enter the YouTube model of education. Many L&D teams are now harnessing the power of knowledge sharing to answer this need and fill skill gaps. Rather than churning out eLearning courses at an alarming rate, why not seek out some Subject Matter Experts within your company and make the most of their expertise?
The new goal for L&D professionals is to create a framework for employees to easily upload their own training material and share their knowledge, much like the tried and tested YouTube format. Studies have shown that social learning (learning by watching and imitating others) is how most of us learn best.
As if that weren't reason enough, research also shows that employees have limited time for professional training and as a result, value short, on-the-job training more than longer courses. This is great news for us in L&D, by changing to a YouTube strategy, we can create usual and relevant eLearning content all across our businesses without the need for video creators, graphic designers, and lots of content authoring licenses.
Where Do I Start?
Start off by taking stock of the tools you currently have and see which tools can cover your needs. For example, does your LMS offer coach and share features? If so, creating dedicated channels for employees to share their own tutorial videos and step-by-step guides can take the ache out of technical training. Invest the time in designing clear formats for tutorial videos, presentation templates for knowledge sharing sessions, and a great gamification plan to reward employees for participating in the knowledge sharing process.
Many Learning Management Systems will offer rating systems to rank content and hubs to create forums, Q&A sessions, and space for employees to share resources and learn together. If you haven’t already, invest some time in researching how your current LMS and authoring tools can facilitate knowledge sharing in your organization and push informal learning to complement formal eLearning courses.
Great digital training doesn't have to cost the earth, create a learning culture in your company and harness the expertise of your colleagues. We all perform best when we're in the driving seat of our own learning experience. It’s an exciting time in the eLearning industry, and it’s time to harness the power of knowledge sharing, YouTube style.
Corporate Learning And Development Corporate Training Learning Culture Spotlight: Coronavirus Lockdown YouTube In eLearning
December 24, 2020
4 minutes to read
8 Unconventional Ways To Market Your eLearning Course On YouTube
Videos are captivating, entertaining, and attention-grabbing. This article features 8 unconventional ways to promote your eLearning course on YouTube.
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How To Market Your eLearning Course On YouTube
How do you market your eLearning course without breaking the bank? YouTube is right up there with Facebook and Twitter in terms of social media popularity. People use it to catch up with content creators, watch movie trailers, and view helpful tutorials. But it’s also an effective promotional platform to promote eLearning courses. These 8 creative ideas prove that YouTube isn’t just for viral videos and vlogs. In fact, you can use this social media platform to reach a broader audience and increase eLearning course sales.
8 Insider Tips To Promote eLearning Courses on YouTube
1. Learner Testimonials
Written testimonials can sway people’s opinions if they’re unsure about signing up for your eLearning course. However, a video testimonial takes it a step further by fostering an emotional connection. Prospects are able to watch the reviewers’ facial expressions or hear the enthusiasm in their voice, which underscores the fact that they’re satisfied with your eLearning course and aren’t reluctant to spread the word. You can also produce animated videos with professional voiceovers to "re-enact" the testimonial.
2. Sneak Previews
Upload sneak peeks of your upcoming eLearning course so that online learners can determine if it’s what they’re looking for. As an example, include the first 3 minutes of a tutorial or a preview of the serious game you’re developing. This is also a great way to market your eLearning course while you’re still in the early stages of the project. Be sure to include the expected launch date and invite them to sign up for your mailing list. That way they won’t miss the opportunity to sign up once you officially open enrollments.
3. Subject Matter Expert Interviews
Invite Subject Matter Experts to sit down for an interview and record the session. Your YouTube subscribers will welcome the opportunity to learn from the pros. Especially if the Subject Matter Expert is prepared to offer valuable insights and tips for everyday challenges. For instance, the industry expert gives viewers advice on how to increase their monthly sales figures or handle a customer complaint more effectively using superb active listening skills. Don’t forget to give the guest host a chance to promote their site or works while their marketing your eLearning course. For example, they get to pitch their latest book or upcoming event.
4. Monthly Wrap-Up Shows
There are a number of ways you can approach this YouTube marketing idea. Firstly, host a recap show that talks about what’s going on within your eLearning company. For instance, this month you completed the persuasion skills module. Discuss all the benefits this content will bring to online learners and talk about the ‘behind the scenes’ work that was involved. You could also cover broader subject matters. For example, industry news that online learners may find interesting or compelling, like the latest trends in the customer service or IT tech sectors.
5. Live eLearning Course Launch Events
It’s time to celebrate! All your hard work has paid off and you’re finally ready to launch your latest eLearning course. Why not host a live event on YouTube to mark the occasion and generate more interest? Send out invites to your mailing list and talk about it on social media. Let everyone know that the first 25 people to sign up for the eLearning course during or after the event get a special discount or freebie, like a downloadable eBook that relates to the topic. You can also host a live online meet-and-greet with the eLearning course creators so that online learners can ask questions and establish a rapport. Remember to record the event and publish it to your YouTube channel for future viewing. It can be an effective eLearning course marketing tool on its own, especially if you add eLearning course sign-up links in the description box.
6. Interactive FAQs
Instead of merely including the FAQs on the course home page and your website, produce an interactive video to market your eLearning course. Record a brief narration, then display a list of topics in the description or on-screen links to relevant videos. For example, the video that shows up on your main channel page is the intro that welcomes visitors to click on the links below. Every link directs them to another unlisted video on your channel that answers the respective question. This gives them the ability to skip right to the response they’re looking for instead of watching a 15-minute video that covers irrelevant queries.
7. Top 5 Promo Videos
People love countdown videos that sum up the main points quickly and offer entertainment value. Produce "top 5" promo videos that showcase various aspects of your eLearning course. For example, the "top 5 reasons why people should sign up for your negotiation skills course". The secret is to avoid making it seem like a sales gimmick and to add subtle touches of humor, without causing offense. You can even throw in some animated characters or background music to enhance engagement.
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