Your Instructional Video Style: How to Craft the Perfect Learning Experience ⚠️

Your Instructional Video Style: How to Craft the Perfect Learning Experience

The magic of online learning lies in how we effectively transmit knowledge.

And what better way to do that than with videos? They bring sound visuals and movement together captivating learners and making those complex concepts stick.

But before you hit record you need to pick a style that resonates with your teaching and your audience.

This decision isn’t just about aesthetics; it shapes your entire learning journey.

Think of it like this: Are you a whiteboard wizard a selfie-style guru or an animation aficionado? Each approach has its own personality and choosing the right one is like finding your perfect teaching voice.

This is where the art of instructional video styles comes into play – it’s the key to creating videos that not only inform but truly engage.

The Instructor’s Role: Agency and Intersubjectivity

Before we dive into the different styles let’s talk about the instructor’s presence in the video.

It’s not just about showing up; it’s about how you engage with your learners.

Two key concepts come into play:

1. Agency: Your Authority in the Frame

Agency is about demonstrating your expertise and authority.

It’s the feeling that you’re in control of the content and guiding your learners through it.

Think of it as your “voice” in the video.

Certain instructional video styles naturally lend themselves to strong agency:

• Screencasts: When you’re walking your students through software or a process the focus is on your hands the clicks and the visual instructions. You’re practically right there with them taking the lead.

• Handwriting Boards: The act of writing whether on a traditional whiteboard or a light board showcases your thought process in real-time. You’re literally writing the information out bringing the knowledge to life.

• Whiteboard Animations: Even when animations are involved the presence of a writing hand (or even just the hand’s shadow) contributes to that sense of agency. You’re not just narrating; you’re actively creating.

2. Intersubjectivity: Connecting with Your Learners

Intersubjectivity is the bridge between you and your learners.

It’s that feeling of shared understanding like you’re both on the same page.

It’s about making that connection on a deeper level.

• Full-Screen Presence: When you’re fully in frame your facial expressions gestures and even the way you move create a more personal connection. You’re not just a disembodied voice; you’re a real person sharing knowledge.

• Focusing on Hands: Studies have shown that watching hands in action especially when drawing or writing can boost learning. It’s like we’re mirroring those actions in our own minds making the information more tangible.

Embodied Learning: How We Perceive Information

The whole concept of embodiment is crucial in instructional video design.

It’s about how we as learners experience and internalize information through our senses and physicality.

It’s not just about words; it’s about the complete experience.

• Speaker-Centric vs. Board-Centric: Think of it as a seesaw. On one side you have the instructor’s presence – their voice their gestures their physicality. On the other side you have the instructional media – the slides animations diagrams and all the visual elements. The balance between these two determines the overall impact.

• The Power of Complementarity: The beauty is that the speaker and the media don’t always have to compete. They can work together to enhance the learning experience. A lively engaging instructor paired with clear well-designed visuals can create a truly dynamic experience.

16 Ways to Bring Your Lectures to Life: A Taxonomy of Instructional Video Styles

Now let’s dive into the different instructional video styles you can use to craft your perfect learning experience.

This taxonomy will help you choose the style that best fits your course and your teaching personality:

Board-Centric Styles:

1. Animated Videos: These are like cartoons for adults capturing attention with their vibrant visuals and engaging storytelling. The instructor often provides a voice-over guiding the narrative but letting the animation take center stage.

   • Example: A video explaining the concept of photosynthesis might use whimsical animations to depict the process with a calming voice-over providing explanations.

2. Explainer Videos: Think of them as the superheroes of information making complex topics digestible in just a few minutes. They’re perfect for showcasing a product explaining a process or solving a problem. Animated explainer videos are incredibly popular but live-action can be equally effective.

   • Example: A company might use an explainer video to show how their software simplifies project management highlighting its key features and benefits.

3. Slides Presentations: These are the workhorses of online learning often using PowerPoint or similar tools. The focus is on the slides with the instructor either absent or present with just their voice.

   • Example: A lecture on the history of the internet might use slides with images timelines and key facts with the instructor providing commentary.

4. Handwritten Videos: Here the writing process itself is the star. The instructor’s hand is visible writing on a board or a screen. The agency is strong and the information unfolds organically in front of the viewer.

   • Example: A math lesson could use a handwritten video to demonstrate how to solve equations step by step with the instructor’s hand writing out each calculation.

5. Screencasts: These are designed for teaching practical skills and software. They capture the entire computer screen with the instructor’s voice providing guidance and explanations. The focus is on the visual steps making them ideal for tutorials.

   • Example: A screencast could teach users how to create a spreadsheet in Excel showing the exact mouse clicks and keystrokes.

6. Split Screen: This creates the illusion of the instructor being in the same room as the slides often achieved using a green screen. The instructor appears in a smaller frame alongside the slides providing a visual connection.

   • Example: A lecture on marketing strategies could use split screen to show the instructor talking about a concept while simultaneously displaying slides with relevant examples.

7. Lightboard: A unique and visually engaging style the instructor writes on a transparent surface illuminated from behind with the camera filming through a mirror. The text appears reversed creating a fascinating effect.

   • Example: A physics lesson could use a lightboard to demonstrate how forces work with the instructor drawing diagrams and equations that appear to float in space.

8. Whiteboard Presentations: These are often filmed in a classroom setting with the instructor standing in front of a whiteboard and explaining concepts. The instructor and the board complement each other making the information more accessible.

   • Example: A history class could use a whiteboard presentation to explain the causes of a major war with the instructor drawing maps and timelines.

Speaker-Centric Styles:

9. Full-Screen Presence: This is all about the instructor with their entire figure in frame. It’s the most intimate and engaging style creating a strong sense of connection.

   • Example: A motivational speaker might use a full-screen presence video to deliver a powerful message connecting with the audience through their facial expressions and gestures.

10. Cueing: This style uses keywords or phrases overlaid on the screen to emphasize key points. It can be used in conjunction with other styles adding a visual dimension to the instructor’s words.

    • Example: A language lesson could use cueing to highlight new vocabulary words displaying them on screen as the instructor explains their meaning.

11. Selfie Videos: These are lively and spontaneous giving a personal touch to the learning experience. The instructor films themselves often using a smartphone creating a more casual and conversational tone.

    • Example: A travel blogger might use selfie videos to share their experiences on a recent trip giving viewers a firsthand perspective.

12. Autobiographical Footage: Similar to selfie videos but with a stronger focus on personal stories and experiences. The instructor shares their journey providing valuable insights and lessons learned.

    • Example: A successful entrepreneur might use autobiographical footage to explain their path to success sharing their challenges and triumphs along the way.

13. Discussion Videos: Two or more individuals discuss a topic sharing their insights and perspectives. It creates a dynamic and engaging conversation highlighting the human element.

    • Example: A panel discussion on the future of education could feature experts from different fields engaging in a lively debate and sharing their visions.

14. Micro Videos: Short and sweet these videos cover a specific subject in under a minute. Perfect for quick bites of information they’re often used in series to cover a broader topic.

    • Example: A series of micro videos could teach basic computer skills with each video focusing on a specific task like opening a document or creating a folder.

15. Training Videos: These are often used in corporate settings focused on teaching employees new skills or processes. They can be formal or informal but always aim to provide practical knowledge.

    • Example: A training video could teach new employees how to use a company’s CRM system providing step-by-step instructions and demonstrations.

16. Tutorial Videos: These are in-depth guides on how to do something covering a specific topic in detail. They often use live-action demonstrations voice-overs and screen recordings.

    • Example: A tutorial video could teach people how to knit demonstrating each step with close-up shots and clear explanations.

Choosing Your Style: A Recipe for Success

The right instructional video style isn’t a one-size-fits-all.

It depends on your course content your teaching personality and your learners.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• What’s the learning objective? What do you want your students to be able to do after watching the video?
• Who is your target audience? What are their learning preferences and their level of expertise?
• What’s your teaching style? Are you more comfortable speaking directly to the camera or guiding viewers through a process?
• What resources do you have? Do you have access to a green screen a lightboard or high-quality animation software?
• What’s your budget? Some styles like animation can be more expensive to produce than others.

Once you have a clear understanding of these factors you can start experimenting with different styles and see what works best for you.

Remember it’s not about finding the perfect style; it’s about finding the style that resonates with you and your learners.

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