The art of simplification: How video enhances learning and retention
Written by Ryan Robinson | 31st January 2025
Table of Contents
Educational videos have become a powerful tool for learning. They’re captivating, easy to digest, and significantly increase information retention for the viewer.
Below, we’ll explore 6 reasons why and how videos can enhance learning and retention. We’ll also discuss the effects of different learning styles on engagement and knowledge retention.
6 reasons why and how video enhances learning and retention
The power of video has become an integral part of our lives, but it’s not all about having fun.
Staying updated with the latest trends is important. Yet, a lot of videos have a higher purpose.You can find video clips to help you master certain skills, better understand a new concept, or for active learning through various courses.
Let’s dig deeper and uncover the reasons behind the importance of explainer videos .
Power of visual learning
People are visual learners. According to Sandvine’s research, video consumption increased by 24% in 2022 and today, it makes up 65% of all internet traffic! Let’s put things into perspective and explain the full potential of educational videos and why they are so important to us.
Imagine you want to become a chef. Yes, you can grab a cookbook, and the learning process begins. Yet, browsing through blocks of text, seeing some pale images, and trying to visualize how this dish should look isn’t fun.
It is possible to learn this way, it’s been done for generations. But ultimately, it’s practice that perfects cooking skills.
An alternative to picking up a cookbook would be to find some great cooking video training for beginners. Those are much easier to digest.
Such interactive videos will help you grasp many details. Some of these details include the right texture and color, what goes where, and how it looks when put on the plate. Thanks to interactive elements, you can even catch some tips that might be obscure in text alone.
Role of storytelling in videos
The power of video is huge. Videos are great at telling a story in a visual format, and including crucial information in a narrative makes it more memorable and relatable.
Many of us love to watch educational videos on YouTube, TED Talks, or interactive video documentaries. High-quality video content like this combines facts and characters with personal examples or stories, helping our brains absorb and remember the information.
A good example of this comes from Wiz. Wiz developed an innovative series called “Wiz Tech Talks,” which resembles the popular TED Talks video lecture format. These presentations cover critical topics like container security, bringing expert knowledge directly to a wide audience.
Wiz Tech Talks leveraged expert presentations and the power of visual storytelling to simplify complicated cybersecurity concepts into manageable and engaging segments. This format helps them simplify technical content, boost viewer engagement, and help them retain knowledge.
Combining visual channels, real-world examples, and expert commentary in Wiz Tech Talks creates a powerful learning experience, making complex container security principles more approachable and memorable for both industry newcomers and seasoned professionals.
Multisensory engagement
The biggest reason why video enhances learning and retention is that it engages several senses. Besides visual cues, you’ll absorb audio information like sound effects or narration when you watch a video. Multisensory engagement helps enhance the experience and provides more data.
A good example of how video enhances learning and retention of long-term memory is when learning history. Watching documentaries with visuals of historical events, maps, and voiceovers explaining key details provides a much richer experience. The multisensory experience ensures that viewers remember facts and important information much longer than reading a history textbook alone.
Simplifying complex concepts
The best advantage videos have for learning is the capability of simplifying complicated things. Breaking down complex ideas through videos into easy-to-understand visual elements involves using graphics, animation, and demonstration strategies.
The niche itself isn’t relevant for simplifying the process of complex ideas to work. It can be anything from physics, coding, blockchain technology, and financial services.
What matters the most is the use of interactive content material. – When done right, it can help break complex and technical information down into digestible pieces.
A prime example of effectively using video to simplify and enhance learning is SoFi. A prime example of effectively using video to simplify and enhance learning is SoFi. This financial services platform leverages concise, engaging videos to explain complex financial topics, from investing to options trading for beginners.
SoFi’s YouTube channel features bite-sized content that breaks down intricate financial concepts into easily digestible information. One of their videos, “Face of Finance,” presents a striking statistic in a visually appealing format. Their instructional video encourages viewers to challenge their assumptions about finance and gender.
Flexibility and on-demand learning
Flexibility is another reason why and how videos may enhance learning and retention. Video learning allows more flexibility than traditional learning methods, as users can pause, rewind, and re-watch the content when necessary.
It also helps increase student engagement, unlike live lectures or written materials.
On-demand e-learning platforms like Coursera and Udemy offer video courses that students can follow at their own pace. This method allows students to take full control of their educational experience.
Real-world applications
Chime, a financial technology company that offers streamlined banking services and digital products such as cashback reward cards, shows how video simplifies complex information, making it easier to understand and retain.
Chime simplifies traditional banking by eliminating fees, offering intuitive mobile tools, and focusing on user experience.
Through minimalism and clarity, this company makes personal finance more accessible, akin to how video aids learning by breaking down intricate concepts into digestible visuals. Both Chime and video underscore how reducing complexity enhances engagement, comprehension, and overall user satisfaction.
Final thoughts
With evolving technology, educational and work-related videos will become an even more effective and powerful tool for students and people looking to learn something new.. To ensure that people remember what they’ve learned, you need to showcase it in an engaging, yet simple video.
simpleshow video maker helps bring your story to life with a simple and powerful animation editor. AI can also help you share your message across in an easy-to-digest manner.
Author's bio
Ryan Robinson. I’m a blogger, podcaster, and (recovering) side project addict who teaches 500,000 monthly readers how to start a blog and grow a profitable side business at ryrob.com.
