They say knowledge is power. And it’s the kind of power that shapes the future.
In the world of education, this is no exaggeration or marketing hype, but a simple fact of the industry.
And like any modern industry, it’s rife with innovation, constantly evolving and improving itself with new tools and strategies in an ever-changing landscape.
Video has emerged as the de-facto language of the modern age, dominating internet traffic, entertainment, advertising, marketing, and too many more areas to list.
So it’s no surprise that the world of education, too, has embraced video in its arsenal of tools.
But why? Let’s dive in.
Animated educational videos are designed to help viewers learn and understand complex concepts in a fun, engaging way.
Whether you're an online A-level English tutor or an engineering manager looking to teach your workforce how to operate a production line, educational videos make the process of learning more intuitive.
The animation and graphics can be used to illustrate the concept in a visual format, while the voice-over narration can provide additional explanation.
Animated educational videos have become increasingly popular as an effective way to convey information quickly and easily, whether it be in the classroom or online.
Video, especially animated video, is an especially powerful tool for education. And here’s why.
We’re naturally visual creatures– our primary senses for understanding the world around us are sight and sound.
Video combines both.
The advantages are amazing.
Video grabs attention far better than images, text, or sound on their own; and holds the viewer’s attention far longer.
Not only that, but information communicated through video is understood easier, better, and for far longer, boasting unparalleled memory recall.
No surprise, then, that it’s the favored format for advertising, marketing, and entertainment.
All of this makes video the perfect tool for education. But it’s not limited to just teaching.
It’s also a great way to train staff on everything from procedures and curriculum to using software and more.
And once created, training videos could also be used repeatedly for onboarding fresh staff.
And the nature of video today is that it can be viewed anywhere, from almost any device or screen, at the viewer’s convenience, making it ideal.
So how do you harness this amazing power? Fortunately, we’re here to help explain.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but a springboard to get your imagination going at the possibilities available to you through the magic of video, especially animated video. So let’s get started.
In the world of B2B education, utilizing educational videos can enhance training, onboarding, and overall learning experiences to audiences of all kinds.
So here are five types of educational videos that are particularly effective in the B2B education sector:
Explainer videos are concise, engaging videos that break down complex concepts, products, or services into easily understandable segments.
They typically use animations, infographics, and clear narration to explain the subject matter.
Benefits:
Video Example: "Cornerstones: The Theory of Evolution"
Instructional videos provide step-by-step guidance on how to perform specific tasks or use particular tools.
They are highly detailed and focus on procedural knowledge, making them perfect for hands-on learning.
Benefits:
Video Example: Google Classroom Add-Ons
Webinars are live or recorded sessions that offer in-depth discussions on specific topics, often featuring expert speakers.
They are interactive, allowing participants to ask questions and engage with the presenter in real-time.
Benefits:
Video Example: Leadspace
Case study videos highlight real-world examples of how a company’s product or service has been successfully implemented.
They showcase the problem, solution, and results, providing tangible proof of effectiveness.
Benefits:
Example: UN Women Case Study by Broadcast2World
Interactive videos allow viewers to engage with the content by making choices that influence the outcome.
These videos often include quizzes, clickable areas, and decision-making scenarios, enhancing the learning experience.
Benefits:
Video Example: CNN's virtual journey into the future of spaceflight
Here’s a beautifully animated video for MIT, explaining blockchain– which is a complex and technical topic to simplify.
But here, we can see how animation can really break it down, explain it clearly and easily, and even be fun to watch.
Quantum computing, much like quantum physics itself, is a baffling subject that eludes easy explanation even by the most skilled popular science educators.
It’s just one of those things that’s very difficult to explain simply.
Which is why Google used the power of visual storytelling to introduce the basic concepts of quantum computing to the masses, partnering with animation studio Art&Graft.
The video is cleverly scripted, starting with the journey of computing itself in a nutshell, and uses beautiful painted graphics to draw the viewer in.
Rather than go into a deep technical explanation that the average person would probably not be interested in, the video instead focuses on how quantum computing can revolutionize our world in much the same way the first transistor chip did and teases the imagination and evokes wonder.
It seems like everyone’s personal information is up for sale, even from the companies that have a reputation for trust.
So when The Guardian wanted to update their privacy policy, they wanted to be as transparent and honest with their readers as possible.
But most people aren’t really interested in reading a lot of fine print or a press release.
So they went for an attention-grabbing and beautifully animated explainer video with a friendly narrator.
Within just two minutes, they explain how cookies work and why they’re so useful.
After all, you can’t get your audience to trust you if they cannot understand what it is you’re actually doing in the first place.
Here’s a video we made for UICC. Antibiotic resistance is a serious problem emerging in the medical field.
But what is it, how does it affect patients and hospitals, and what can be done about it?
To explain, we used the power of animated storytelling to take the viewer on a journey, starting with understanding the problem at hand, the risks and threats, and then working through practical solutions the viewer can follow to keep safe.
Probably the greatest thing about the internet is how it gives everyone free access to an ocean of information on any topic they could possibly think of.
And this is true for the video format too, which has become ubiquitous online with increasing computing power and internet speeds.
Freely sharing your knowledge is also a great subtle way to advertise your competency and expertise in your field/industry!
Here’s a video we made for Health Monitor Network on COPD, where the viewer is informed about the nature of the disease, symptoms to watch out for, and how to avoid it.
There’s no typical aggressive sales pitch or call-to-action, just knowledge, shared freely for the viewer’s benefit.
This is a great example of a whiteboard explainer video style.
It’s captivating and engrossing, but the true secret power of this style lies in its simplicity.
For those on a budget, whiteboard animation offers a cost-effective but powerful format to explain your ideas in detail while keeping your audience completely engaged and interested from start to finish.
When it comes to animated videos for popular science education, there’s no bigger name than Kurzgesagt.
If we needed to showcase just one video that demonstrates the power of animation for explaining complex topics easily, it would be any of theirs.
This is their explanation of Coronavirus, first launched at the height of the pandemic. The animation is stunningly beautiful and engrossing.
Combined with the expertly scripted story, you’re drawn into this journey of discovery and knowledge.
Even if you’re not interested, in just a few seconds you’re curious and watching till the end. These guys have set the standard the rest of us aspire to!
The fastest way for a third-world country to transform itself into a modern first-world powerhouse isn’t through charity work or from striking oil.
It’s investing in the next generation through good education.
And the BRIC nations confirm that theory.
But in this day and age, your educational system cannot compete on the world stage without excellent computer literacy.
Google set out to catalyze that transformation with the Chromebook, a simple and cost-effective laptop for students of all ages, managed with their cloud solutions to make it much easier for school systems to embrace and manage.
And to that end, they put out a series of beautifully animated videos to explain how it all works.
Another example of whiteboard-style character animation, this series uses the power of visual storytelling to explain a lot of fairly complex, dense topics that would be otherwise difficult to grasp without the aid of friendly visuals.
Animation isn’t just great for education, it’s also great for B2B marketing.
Here we see an excellent product video, showcasing a software platform aimed at busy teachers who want to work more efficiently and effectively.
It’s aimed at the teachers but also appeals to the administration staff in educational systems who greenlight and implement these solutions– once you can convince them of your product.
And animation, as you can see for yourself, can be quite persuasive and appealing!
Creating educational videos, particularly animated explainer videos requires careful planning and execution.
Whether you're an online A-level English tutor, a provider of online language courses, or a corporate trainer, following these steps can help you produce high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your audience.
Start by defining the purpose of your educational video.
What do you want to teach? Who is your target audience? These questions will guide your brainstorming process.
For example, an online A-level English tutor might want to create a video on Shakespearean sonnets or literary analysis techniques.
A storyboard is a visual outline of your video, depicting each scene with illustrations or notes.
This helps you organize your thoughts and visualize how the video will unfold. Include key points, transitions, and call-to-action elements.
For instance, if your video is about Shakespearean sonnets, your storyboard might include an introduction to the sonnet form, an analysis of a specific sonnet, and a summary of key points.
For a video on literary analysis, your storyboard could look like this:
The animation style you choose should align with your video's purpose and audience.
Each has their own unique advantages and disadvantages and evokes different responses and levels of engagement.
For more information about how to pick the right style for your video, check out this blog post we wrote!
Gather illustrations, images, and icons that align with your topic.
These can be sourced from stock libraries or custom-made by graphic designers.
Ensure they are high quality and relevant to your content.
Select background music and sound effects that complement your video’s tone.
Additionally, choose a clear, professional voiceover artist to narrate your script.
Ensure the audio is crisp and well-edited to avoid distractions.
Select an animation software that suits your needs and expertise.
This can be pretty overwhelming to newcomers, so we’ve set aside an entire section on this next.
Decide where to publish your video.
Popular platforms include YouTube, Vimeo, and educational websites.
Consider your audience's habits to choose the best platform for maximum reach.
Optimize your video title, description, and tags with relevant keywords to improve visibility.
Create an engaging thumbnail and include a clear call-to-action in the video and description.
If you’re targeting students, uploading the video to YouTube with a detailed description and educational tags can help it reach a broader audience.
By generating prospective student leads, it helps in increasing your enrollments to bring in more qualified applications.
Embed the video on your tutoring website for easy access by your students.
Promote your video through social media, email newsletters, and relevant online communities.
Engage with viewers by responding to comments and encouraging feedback.
When it comes to creating high-quality educational videos, especially animated explainer videos, choosing the right tools can make a huge difference.
The right software can streamline the production process, enhance creativity, and ensure professional results. Here are some of the best tools for educational video production:
Vyond is a versatile platform for creating animated videos. It offers a wide range of templates, characters, and scenes that can be easily customized to create engaging educational content.
Key Features:
Best For:
Adobe After Effects is a leading tool for motion graphics and visual effects.
It is ideal for creating complex animations and adding special effects to educational videos.
Key Features:
Best For:
Powtoon is a user-friendly platform designed for creating animated presentations and explainer videos.
It is particularly well-suited for educational content due to its simplicity and range of educational templates.
Key Features:
Best For:
Toonly specializes in creating cartoon-style explainer videos.
Its ease of use and variety of characters make it an excellent choice for educational content that needs a fun and engaging approach.
Key Features:
Best For:
Camtasia is a powerful tool for screen recording and video editing. It is ideal for creating instructional videos that require screen captures and detailed explanations.
Key Features:
Best For:
Animaker is an online animation tool that caters to both beginners and professionals.
It offers a range of features for creating high-quality animated videos.
Key Features:
Best For:
Moovly is an online video creation platform that offers a variety of animation and video editing tools.
It is suitable for creating professional-quality educational videos.
Key Features:
Best For:
VideoScribe is a tool specifically designed for creating whiteboard animations.
Its unique style is perfect for educational content that aims to simplify complex topics.
Key Features:
Best For:
Wideo is an online video animation tool that allows users to create professional animated videos with ease.
It offers a range of templates and customization options.
Key Features:
Best For:
Blender is a powerful open-source software for 3D modeling, animation, and rendering.
While it has a steeper learning curve, it is highly versatile and capable of producing professional-grade animations.
Key Features:
Best For:
Creating educational videos is a powerful way to convey complex information in an engaging and easily digestible format.
Animated explainer videos, in particular, are highly effective for capturing attention and simplifying complicated concepts.
Here are some best practices to follow when creating educational videos, with a focus on animated explainer videos:
Why It Matters: Clarity in your educational goals ensures that your content is focused and effective. It helps learners understand what they are expected to achieve by the end of the video.
Best Practice: Start by outlining clear and concise learning objectives. Make sure each video has a specific goal, whether it’s to explain a concept, demonstrate a process, or provide an overview of a topic. This focus will guide your content creation and keep your video on track.
Why It Matters: Attention spans are limited, especially in an online learning environment. Short, engaging videos are more likely to retain viewers’ attention and ensure better information retention.
Best Practice: Aim for a video length of 2-5 minutes. This duration is optimal for maintaining attention and avoiding information overload. Use engaging visuals and animations to keep the content lively and interesting.
Why It Matters: Educational videos should be accessible to all learners, regardless of their background knowledge. Using clear and simple language ensures that your message is understood.
Best Practice: Avoid jargon and complex terminology unless absolutely necessary. When you do need to use specialized terms, provide clear explanations and definitions. Speak directly to your audience in a conversational tone.
Why It Matters: Visual storytelling makes abstract concepts tangible and memorable. It helps learners connect with the material on an emotional level, enhancing comprehension and retention.
Best Practice: Use animated characters, scenarios, and storytelling techniques to illustrate your points. Create a narrative that guides the viewer through the content, making it more relatable and easier to follow.
Why It Matters: Overloading your video with too much information can overwhelm learners and dilute the key message. Highlighting the most important points ensures that learners grasp the essential concepts.
Best Practice: Identify the core points you want to convey and focus on them. Use visual cues, such as bold text or highlighting, to emphasize these key points. Summarize important takeaways at the end of the video.
Why It Matters: Interactivity boosts engagement and allows learners to apply what they’ve learned. It transforms passive viewing into an active learning experience.
Best Practice: Incorporate quizzes, polls, or clickable elements within the video to encourage interaction. Ask questions that prompt viewers to think critically about the content. Use interactive elements to reinforce learning objectives.
Why It Matters: Poor-quality visuals and audio can distract learners and reduce the effectiveness of your educational video. High-quality production enhances the overall learning experience.
Best Practice: Invest in good-quality animation software and equipment. Ensure that your visuals are clear, well-designed, and professionally animated. Pay attention to audio quality, using clear narration and appropriate background music.
Why It Matters: Personalized content can increase learner engagement by addressing individual needs and preferences. It makes the learning experience more relevant and impactful.
Best Practice: Tailor your videos to your audience’s specific interests and learning levels. Use data and feedback to adjust content and improve personalization. Include examples and scenarios that resonate with your viewers’ experiences.
Why It Matters: Continuous improvement ensures that your videos remain effective and relevant. Testing and iterating based on feedback helps you refine your content and delivery.
Best Practice: Gather feedback from your audience through surveys or comments. Analyze this feedback to identify areas for improvement. Regularly update and refine your videos to keep them current and effective.
Why It Matters: Accessible videos ensure that all learners, including those with disabilities, can benefit from your content. Inclusivity is essential for reaching a wider audience and adhering to educational standards.
Best Practice: Provide subtitles, transcripts, and alternative text for visuals. Use clear and readable fonts. Ensure that your videos are compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies.
Animation can be an effective, cost-efficient tool for creating engaging educational videos.
It has the power to capture viewers’ attention, making complex topics easier to understand and remember.
And by offering a visual component to learning, animation allows us to connect with our material in new ways and develop deeper understanding.
All in all, animation is a powerful tool for education that should not be overlooked.
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