Last Updated: 3 months ago
TLDR:
eLearning videos can take various forms—from animated lessons and live-action demos to internal communications—and are designed to make complex topics accessible.
- Videos harness visuals, sound, and narrative to create immersive, memorable learning experiences.
- Animation effectively simplifies abstract or complex ideas by turning them into engaging visual stories.
- Understanding your audience and establishing clear learning objectives are key to tailoring content that resonates.
- A friendly, conversational tone and breaking content into smaller, manageable parts enhance clarity and retention.
- Incorporating storytelling and interactive elements helps forge a personal connection with viewers and encourages active participation.
- A collaborative production process with ongoing refinement ensures that every element of the video adds meaningful value.
- Each eLearning video serves as a powerful tool to educate, inspire, and empower viewers well beyond the initial viewing.
What Exactly Is an eLearning Video?
An eLearning video is any video created to educate or inform viewers, spanning formats from animated lessons and product demos to internal comms HR videos. These videos are crafted to simplify complex topics and make them accessible. When planning an eLearning video, start by defining clear learning objectives and consider which format—animation, live-action, or a blend—best conveys your message. This strategic approach ensures the video is both informative and tailored to your audience’s needs.
Why Video Is Such an Engaging Educational Format
Video is an exceptionally engaging educational format due to its ability to combine multiple sensory inputs and storytelling elements. It creates an immersive learning experience by integrating visuals, sound, and narrative. This multisensory approach allows students to process information more efficiently, as our brains can interpret visual data up to 60,000 times faster than text.
The dynamic nature of video enables the demonstration of processes in real-time and presents information in a more memorable format compared to static text . To maximize engagement, educators should focus on creating a clear structure and using strong visuals that support key points .
Incorporating voiceovers can also enhance the learning experience. An engaging narrator can bring life and enthusiasm to the content, making it more accessible and memorable for students . On-screen text, such as captions or keywords, can further improve comprehension and retention, especially for language learners.
Real-life examples and case studies presented through video are particularly effective for developing problem-based learning scenarios. This approach not only aids in understanding complex concepts but also helps students retain information by providing visual anchors for later recall .
By leveraging these elements, educational videos can increase motivation, facilitate deeper learning, and improve students’ ability to engage in discussions and problem-solving.
Why Animation Is Great for Education
Animation offers a versatile tool for illustrating ideas that are difficult to capture with live footage. It allows you to visualise abstract concepts and data in a controlled, engaging way. When utilising animation, ensure your visuals are straightforward and directly support the learning objectives. Experiment with different styles and techniques, but always prioritise clarity so that the creative elements reinforce, rather than distract from, the educational content. If you want to learn more about why animation is so fantastic for elearning, make sure to check out this article!
How to Write Engaging eLearning Content
Creating engaging eLearning content starts with understanding your audience and setting clear, measurable objectives. Identify your learners’ needs, challenges, and preferences so you can tailor your material to be both relevant and accessible.
Write in a friendly, conversational tone using everyday language. This makes your content relatable and easy to grasp while avoiding overly complex terminology. Break down challenging ideas into smaller, digestible chunks—this microlearning approach helps learners absorb information without feeling overwhelmed.
Determine whether the presenter will be using a teleprompter to read the script verbatim or whether they will use bullet points. More experienced presenters often sound better when using bullet points because their voice will sound natural whilst they stay on-topic. However, we’ve noticed that when someone using bullet points fluffs a word and needs to do a re-take, it can be difficult for them to choose a place to start from because they can’t remember exactly what came before it. Often they will have to re-do a whole paragraph or series of bullet points which can burn time.
We recommend for less experienced presenters to use a script on a teleprompter if they have a lot of dialogue to deliver. This helps them to stay on-topic and dialogue can be delivered within a set period of time, which is useful if you have a limit for how long each module can be.
Whether bullet pointed or a full script, knowing the dialogue will be essential for pre-approval by all stakeholders.
We try to use real-life examples and storytelling to forge a personal connection with audiences. Whether through scenarios, characters, or short narratives, a well-told story can highlight key concepts and make the content memorable. Adding interactive elements like quizzes or prompts further encourages participation and boosts retention. See example video number 3, which we made for a sustainable shipping company featuring a quiz about the information delivered.
Finally, review your script carefully to remove any unnecessary repetition, ensuring that every sentence adds value. Keeping your content concise and well-structured not only maintains focus, but also enhances the overall learning experience.
There are no hard rules about the ideal length of learning and development videos, rather it is determined by the state of mind the audience are in when they come to the video. Are they settling in for an in-depth learning experience that they have set aside time for, or are they on a short bus journey and just want to dive in and out. Knowing your audience and guiding them to make sensible viewing decisions from the start can enhance their learning experience.
Remember learning should be fun and you want your viewers to enjoy absorbing the content.
How We Make eLearning Videos
Our process begins with defining precise learning objectives and crafting a script that is both clear and engaging. We then select the ideal blend of live action, animation, and interactive elements to bring the content to life. Working closely with clients, we refine every detail—from pacing and clarity to visual appeal—ensuring the final product not only educates but also captivates the viewer. This collaborative approach helps translate educational goals into a dynamic visual experience that resonates with audiences. More on our general video production process here.
Take a look at this trailer video which we made for Homemilk. We could have kept the video to a talking head but we decided instead to do a home-tour of a colourful property. This gave us dynamic shots which elevate the content to a visually pleasing experience as well as a useful learning tool.
Dare To Be Bold
When we work with eLearning providers and Learning and Development departments we advise them to differentiate their content from the competition in order to stand out in a crowded marketplace. One way they can do this is by making their content entertaining.
When we worked with the British Red Cross we had a serious subject to approach in an eLearning video but we know that people often approach company training videos as a chore, rather than an enjoyable personal development experience. So rather than keeping the tone of the video wholly serious, we added light hearted elements as chapter breakers. The audience still received an important message but they went away with a smile on their face.
We often add motion graphics for visual literacy. See example number 10 in our list below. The on-screen words underline what the presenter is saying and act as an aide memoir for the audience who are more likely to remember the key words if they have seen them as well as heard them.
Often eLearning videos will feature data to underline or contextualise certain points the presenter is making. We recommend using this as an opportunity to visualise data in creative ways. Rather than using power-point style pie charts and bar graphs, you have the opportunity to be creative and visualise data in exciting and engaging ways. We have a number of examples in our portfolio and you can check out David McCandless’ book Information is Beautiful for tons of inspiration.
Key takeaway:
Using video creatively, can grab the audience’s attention and make them feel reassured that this will be a fun and enjoyable way to learn.
Click here for more information about how we make engaging eLearning videos
Looking to get an educational video produced? Get in contact and we can hop on a free strategy call with you!
10 Examples of Engaging Educational Videos
Starting strong with one of our own, Katie & Tex is a lively animated series that blends entertainment with education, designed to inspire future tech leaders. Each episode explores a tech-related topic, from drones to AI, using humour and storytelling to keep young viewers engaged.
We’ve worked with the charity Tech She Can since 2021, creating these animated lessons to help primary school children understand technology’s role in their lives. Each episode is guided by clear learning goals to ensure the content is both fun and educational.
One of our most recent episodes reached 60,000 children on release day, showing the series’ impressive impact.
Key Takeaway: Animation can simplify challenging subjects while keeping young audiences entertained and engaged.
This concise yet effective training video by Pagliacci Pizza demonstrates hand-tossing pizza dough in just two minutes. Delivered by a pizza dough expert, the video effectively teaches a high-level technique without the need for repeated in-person training.
By using video, trainers save time and costs by avoiding frequent training sessions for new hires.
Key Takeaway: For frequently repeated training content, video is a cost-effective solution. Live-action is particularly useful for demonstrating hands-on techniques.
Another example from our portfolio, this interactive eLearning video for RightShip integrates quiz questions throughout the video, helping viewers retain information about the company’s code of conduct. Results are shared with RightShip’s HR team to track engagement and scores.
This video stands out by actively involving viewers, improving both understanding and recall.
Key Takeaway: Adding interactive elements to videos keeps viewers engaged and helps reinforce learning.
Kurzgesagt is a standout creator when it comes to explaining complex ideas in an engaging way. Their beautifully animated videos break down intricate scientific processes, making them easier to grasp. In this video, they explore why allergies occur and how the body reacts.
Their well-researched content and stunning visuals make complex science accessible to all.
Key Takeaway: Thoughtful visuals combined with strong storytelling can make even complex scientific topics enjoyable to learn.
When Coca-Cola asked us to create a safety training video, we moved away from a standard rule-list approach. Instead, we told personal stories from employees, revealing why workplace safety matters. For example, one staff member cared for an elderly relative, while another wanted to be there for his child’s football matches.
By connecting rules to real-life situations, the video encouraged viewers to stay focused and remember key safety practices.
Key Takeaway: Personal stories create an emotional connection, making safety training more memorable and impactful.
This Veritasium video explains how DeepMind’s AI tool, AlphaFold, solved the long-standing challenge of predicting protein structures. This breakthrough accelerated scientific progress in fields like vaccine development and disease research.
Despite the complex subject, the video maintains viewer interest through clear visuals and strong storytelling.
Key Takeaway: When dealing with technical content, combining clear explanations with engaging visuals can improve audience understanding.
This PWC training video offers a refreshing take on diversity and inclusion. It combines storytelling with empathy, showing employees how unconscious bias can shape behaviour. The video highlights that self-reflection is key to improving inclusion.
The content is simple yet impactful, making it effective for internal communications.
Key Takeaway: Storytelling with empathy encourages self-reflection and makes diversity training more meaningful.
Belkins produced an animated onboarding video that explains what clients can expect when working with them. By revealing behind-the-scenes processes, the video builds trust and ensures clients feel informed.
Key Takeaway: Onboarding videos that clarify processes build trust and improve customer confidence.
This engaging product demo from Slack effectively combines humour with clear messaging. It opens with the line:
“You’ve probably heard of Slack. Your friend Brianna, from soccer practice, told you about it.”
This relatable introduction grabs attention immediately, setting a light-hearted tone that encourages viewers to keep watching. The video avoids technical jargon, instead showcasing Slack’s features through simple, real-life scenarios. By focusing on how Slack fits into everyday communication, the video makes the product feel approachable and useful — even for those unfamiliar with it.
Key Takeaway: Using relatable storytelling, humour, and everyday examples makes product demos more engaging and helps viewers easily understand the product’s value.
This award-winning series for Home Start combines real interviews with animated elements for added context. We worked with Home Start Advisors, sourced locations, and coached participants for confident on-screen performances. Sponsored by Rescue Remedy, this series offers parenting advice while demonstrating how brands can support meaningful content.
Key Takeaway: Blending real-life stories with animation can create impactful, socially positive content.
Creating engaging eLearning videos is an opportunity to spark genuine curiosity and make learning a memorable experience. By combining clear, relatable content with dynamic visuals and interactive elements, you invite your audience to explore new ideas and deepen their understanding. Every video you produce can serve as a powerful tool to educate and empower, transforming abstract concepts into practical, accessible knowledge that resonates long after the screen goes dark.
If you’re looking at producing eLearning videos, make sure to drop us a line, and we’d be happy to hop on a free strategy call with you!
Author Bio
Adam Neale is the CEO and Creative Director of Bold Content Video, a London-based video production agency specialising in strategic, story-driven films for global brands. With over two decades of experience in the video industry, and more than 1100 videos filmed in 43 countries, Adam has led award-winning productions across branded content, documentary, and corporate storytelling.
His work has been recognised with a Vimeo Staff Pick, a Webby Award, and honours from international film festivals, reflecting his commitment to creative excellence and innovation in visual storytelling.
Under Adam’s leadership, Bold Content Video has produced campaigns for leading organisations including Coca-Cola, the Commonwealth Secretariat, and Google. He is passionate about helping brands communicate with authenticity and purpose through the power of film.