Video consumption has evolved to include everything from entertainment to news to education. It currently accounts for 68 percent of internet traffic with an expected rise to 82 percent by 2020 (Cisco). We all have our own methods of absorbing information. While some of us prefer only video or only audio, some prefer both. We emphasize the merge between education and videos as it is set to revolutionize the world of learning, particularly for millennials.

The eLearning process is no stranger to digital media. With 74 percent of companies currently using Learning Management Systems (LMS), virtual classrooms, and webcasting, eLearning offers a variety of learning methods, all of which can be easily accessed.

Here are 7 reasons why explainer videos help enrich the digital audience’s learning experience.

Some of us are fast learners but not necessarily fast readers. eLearning grants those of us who are slower readers a more flexible way to learn. It allows for fast forwarding and/or repeating certain modules as needed. Explainer videos scrubbing means that the learning process is practical and time-efficient, granting accessibility to learners with a busy schedule.

Conventional ways of teaching are often reminiscent of monotonous, unimaginative slideshows and presentations. Contrarily, explainer videos engage audiences through the use of visuals and audio. This allows eLearning the ability to be responsive and interactive.

Knowledge retention is one of the main barriers facing instructor-led courses. According to a study by Glaser, R., adults statistically retain only 10 percent of what they read, 20 percent of what they hear, 30 percent of what they see, and 50 percent of what they hear and see.

This means that expaliner videos are more likely to increase a learner’s attention span than regular methods. Individuals are usually more comfortable and engaged when watching videos than when reading documents or listening to an audio recording. Thus, their capacity to retain information is higher.

Another interesting study by The Research Institute of America suggests that eLearning increases retention rates by up to 60 percent, compared with 8 to 10 percent retention rate for face-to-face training. While these statistics can be attributed to numerous factors, they mainly stress the power of video learning.

If you read into eLearners and dropouts, you’ll find that people mostly find conventional presentations dull, and therefore have a hard time committing to courses. Videos stimulate learners through high-end visuals and audio effects, helping to illustrate the most complicated ideas. Entertaining and engaging videos help mitigate dropout rates.

Some concepts are best illustrated with visuals. Using videos to demonstrating ideas is quick, efficient, and more likely to stick. According to a study conducted by Dr. James McQuivey, what can be written in 1.8 million words, can be illustrated visually in just one minute!

Several successful examples point to the fact that videos are taking over. One example is illustrated by a recent study which shows that mobile “how-to” searches on YouTube are growing 70 percent year-over-year and more than 100 million hours of how-to content have been watched in North America this year so far. VerveVideos.com looked into this and here’s what we found.

According to Glaser, R., people recall 70 percent of what they say or discuss with others. This has made conducting discussions an impressive technique that allows learners to attain information they’ve been taught verbally. Especially with the rise of live videos on social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, eLearners now can communicate directly with their tutors.

Where words fail, animation succeeds. Award-winning eLearning designer, Tim Slade, said in an interview that animation can bring your content to life when used properly. If you combine powerful visuals, audio narration, and a great script, you can create a long-lasting, multi-sensory learning experience. Slade advised against using animations for the sake of using animations. ‘’If you’re using animations to “spice” or “jazz” things up, don’t do it!’’

We cannot help but agree with Slade. Animation can create the perfect atmosphere for your content; whether you’re targeting middle school students or a multinational corporation. Aside from guiding and communicating with the audience, animated videos can also be inspiring. It can take the audience on an emotional journey that engages all their senses.