A video is one of the best tools that you can use in mlearning. It is the perfect tool that can provide “just in time” learning. If the learner needs to refresh their memory of a knowledge or skill, this is something that they can look back on. It can also serve as an additional resource that you can use to supplement what the learner got from the traditional elearning course.
Mobile learning videos are also quite short. This is why you can rely on them to provide “on the go” lessons. Regardless of the conditions surrounding the learner, it is possible for them to access and understand the lesson if it comes in video format. The combination of moving images, audio and text will help drive the message to the learner.
There is no doubt that videos can be very useful in elearning. But it is also important for you to understand the characteristics that make it a great tool to use. That way, you can come up with the best strategy to use it in your mlearning course.
Here are 3 characteristics that may surprise you about mobile learning.
It does not have to be expensive.
Here is a fact – you do not have to spend a lot of money to create a video that looks like it was done by a professional. Thanks to the advancements in technology, it is not possible for the average non-tech user to create a video without going through all the expensive production activities. There are short video editing tools like iMovie or Vine that will help you create the videos you need in mlearning. The best part is – they are all free! If you have a sophisticated smartphone, it is even possible for you to use it to shoot your videos. You do not have to buy the expensive professional equipment just so you can use this in your mobile learning course.
It does not necessarily need a high bandwidth.
A popular misconception is that a video would always require a huge bandwidth for it to be played well. That may be technically true but it is not always necessary. There is a technology known as MPEG DASH that is being used by YouTube and Netflix that helps with this issue. Through this technology, video streaming platforms can sense the learner’s broadband speed and adjusts the rendition of the material automatically. Not only that, there are videos that do not require that much speed. A 720P HD video only requires around 4 Mbps – and that is a hi-res video already.
It is easy to control the pace.
This is a no-brainer but sometimes, people get the wrong assumption about videos. Ideally, the video is meant to be viewed as one whole chunk. However, if the learner wants the best mlearning experience, it has to be viewed in one sitting. It won’t be too long anyway – only around 5-10 minutes. However, if the learner needs to slow things down or failed to understand what was discussed – that is okay. There is a pause and stop button. It is also possible to replay, rewind or fast forward the video. This learning material is actually very easy to control.
As you can see, videos seem to be the perfect tool for mlearning but it is very important that you get rid of all the misconceptions about it. That is how you can use this tool smartly and effectively.
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