Tips on Using Videos in Your Online Courses

By: Justin Ferriman • June 21, 2017
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If you have an online course then there is a strong probability that you are using videos as part of the content.

In some cases people use videos exclusively throughout their online courses. There isn’t anything wrong with this – people love videos. However, they only really like them if they are done “right”.

The way that we consume information is changing. There was a time where it would be okay to have a 30 minute video on a topic. We would quietly sit at our desktop computers sipping our morning coffee and taking notes.

This doesn’t happen anymore. At least not as often.

Build For The Modern Learner

Today people are more “on the go”. They take course content in between other events going on in their life. As such, it makes sense to create the content in a way that can be consumed quickly and in a format people enjoy.

This is why you will want to make sure you use micro-content and that your videos adhere to that standard.

Production is also very important from both an audio and visual standpoint. A good microphone can be the difference between a professional presentation and an amateur one. Don’t worry though, you can get a decent microphone for under $100 on Amazon. Whatever you do just don’t use the microphone on your computer.

When it comes to visuals there are a few directions you can go. There are plenty of screen capturing tools out there that will record your screen for you. They range from thousands of dollars to $20. I am a fan of screencast-o-matic. Despite the silly name, it works and it’s budget friendly.

If you are wanting to record live video then you will want to do some research to make sure you pick a camera that is crystal clear. A decent camera will put you back a couple hundred dollars. The same advice applies to the video as it does the audio: don’t use the camera built into your computer.

Another worthwhile thing to do is to have a look around and take notes from people who have online videos that you think are well done. For example, Troy Dean from WPElevation always has exceptional video content. So does Shawn Hesketh from WP101.

Don’t Make This Mistake

Last, makes sure you choose technology that makes the video learning experience enjoyable. For example, we have built some pretty neat video progression tools into LearnDash.

Whether you use LearnDash or not it’s important that you find something that presents your content in a way that maximizes its impact. The last thing you want to happen is to spend the time and money making your videos look good but not have anyone watch them because of a poor user experience.

Justin Ferriman

Justin started LearnDash, the WordPress LMS trusted by Fortune 500 companies, major universities, training organizations, and entrepreneurs worldwide. He is currently founder & CEO of GapScout. Justin’s Homepage | GapScout | Twitter