Activity 3 | Apply reading to your context

With a background in instructional design, I gained a new perspective on the changing environment of educational technology after reading the next eight chapters of Martin Weller’s “25 Years of Ed Tech”, especially in the context of video-based learning. Two major themes that piqued my interest were the shifting function of videos in education and the affordability of e-learning. The transformative potential of video-based learning is one concept that really resonated with me. The importance of videos in contemporary teaching is highlighted by Weller, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Video based instruction has been a part of education for a long time, but the recent reliance on video based learning have brought them to the forefront of being one of the most important tools of instruction.

Video based learning in itself has evolved with advancements in the recent years by allowing flexibility in a variety of formats ranging from instructional to animated to simulative. Videos are a adaptable tool and they offer an interactive, visual, and audio method of education to engage audiences with varied learning preferences. They are reliable and for students of various ages and socioeconomic backgrounds thanks to their versatility, which improves accessibility and inclusivity. I have personally seen the effects of well-made educational videos while I had been working as an instructional designer. I often opted to integrate videos in my work as it encouraged learning, clarified complicated ideas, and helped learners gain a deeper comprehension of the material. Videos also helped provide just-in-time learning without logistical barriers by providing universal access to content at any given time. Particularly in the corporate world where scalable and affordable training solutions are in high demand, videos have the potential to become a default medium of instruction in the future.

In the chapter regarding e-learning, Weller mentions that the introduction of e-learning did not significantly lower the cost of higher education, but I think there is more to the story—particularly when it comes to video-based learning. I’ve seen firsthand the tremendous cost savings potential of e-learning as someone with experience in corporate L&D training, especially related to video-based training. Of course it can be costly to produce high-quality educational videos at first, however, I believe the long-term gains can outweigh the initial expenses. In larger, multi-national organizations, training often incurs large costs related to employing trainers and planning travel, meals, and lodging for in-person training sessions. On the other hand, using videos and e-learning platforms for instruction in a business context can significantly reduce costs related to training. E-learning can often be quickly updated and repurposed, ensuring that the instructional content stays current without additional costs. The potential to scale up video-based and e-learning is another important consideration. Organizations can reach a global audience with online videos at a fraction of the cost of holding in-person conferences and paying trainers all over the world. This scalability increases the effect of instruction while simultaneously saving money.