Video vs. Text-Based Courses: Which Format Boosts Learning & Engagement?

Imagine signing up for an online course, eager to learn, only to realize the format doesn’t suit you. Maybe long video lessons make it hard to take notes, or blocks of text feel overwhelming. When it comes to Video vs. Text-Based Courses, choosing the right format isn’t just about content—it’s about maximizing engagement and retention. As a course creator, consultant, or coach, should you focus on video, text, or a mix of both? Let’s break it down.

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The Rise of Online Learning

Online learning has skyrocketed in recent years, with the e-learning market expected to reach $457 billion by 2026. More online business owners, coaches, and consultants are turning to digital courses to share knowledge, scale their businesses, and generate passive income. But the way content is delivered significantly impacts how students engage, retain, and apply what they learn. The key is understanding which format best supports your audience’s needs.

Video Courses: The Pros and Cons

Why Video is a Game-Changer for Learning

Video-based courses have quickly become the gold standard for online learning, and it’s easy to understand why. Research shows that video can significantly enhance learning outcomes, with retention rates soaring to 95% compared to a mere 10% for text-based content, according to Forrester Research. Here’s why video is such a powerful tool in the learning process:

Engagement:

One of the key advantages of video is its ability to capture and maintain learners’ attention. Videos present content in a dynamic, visually appealing format, which helps minimize distractions and encourages learners to stay engaged. Unlike static text or images, videos provide a moving, compelling narrative that’s harder to ignore. This heightened engagement can lead to a deeper connection with the material and better retention of information.

Personal Connection:

Videos allow learners to see and hear the instructor, which fosters a sense of trust and connection. The human element—whether through facial expressions, tone of voice, or body language—adds a personal touch that text-based learning simply can’t match. This emotional connection can boost motivation and make the learning experience feel more relatable and accessible.

Multi-Sensory Learning:

Video combines visuals, audio, and sometimes even interactive elements, which taps into multiple senses at once. This multi-sensory approach has been shown to enhance understanding and retention by catering to different learning styles. Whether learners are visual, auditory, or kinesthetic, video can address a variety of preferences, making it easier for them to grasp and retain complex concepts.

Great for Demonstrations:

When it comes to practical skills or walkthroughs, video is unmatched in its ability to demonstrate processes step-by-step. Tutorials, product demos, and hands-on activities are all much more effective when shown in real-time. Learners can follow along with a visual guide, which is far easier to understand than a series of written instructions. This practical, “show don’t tell” approach is ideal for skill-building and technical training.

Incorporating video into learning not only makes it more engaging and accessible but also supports deeper understanding through a more immersive experience. This is why video-based courses have become such a dominant force in education and professional development.

Challenges of Video-Based Courses

While video-based courses offer a dynamic and engaging way to learn, they come with several challenges that can hinder their overall effectiveness:

Higher Production Costs:

Producing high-quality video content requires a significant investment in equipment – cameras, microphones, and lighting setups, along with professional editing tools. These elements add up quickly, and ensuring polished production standards can be expensive. This can be a barrier for creators on a tight budget or those just starting with video content creation.

Accessibility Concerns:

One of the major drawbacks of video courses is that they can be inaccessible to certain groups of learners. For instance, individuals who have hearing impairments may struggle to follow along without captions or transcripts. Additionally, some learners may prefer reading to watching videos, especially if they are better able to absorb information through text. Without alternative formats, learners with specific needs might find it difficult to fully benefit from the content.

Harder to Update:

Keeping course content up to date is a common challenge with video-based learning. Unlike text-based materials, which can be edited and updated relatively easily, videos require a time-consuming process to reshoot or re-edit. It’s harder to adjust content quickly when new developments occur, or when certain aspects of the course become outdated. For course creators, this means that maintaining relevance can be a constant, ongoing task.

Requires Focused Attention:

Videos demand more focused, continuous attention compared to other types of learning materials. While text-based resources allow learners to skim sections, skip to specific parts, or absorb information at their own pace, videos often require a more structured and uninterrupted viewing experience. Learners must commit to watching the entire video to gain the intended knowledge, which can be challenging for those with limited time or those juggling other commitments. This lack of flexibility can make video courses less appealing for individuals with busy schedules or those who prefer learning in shorter, bite-sized sessions.

These challenges highlight the importance of considering alternative formats or supporting materials that can enhance video-based courses, ensuring they are as accessible, flexible, and sustainable as possible.

Text-Based Courses: The Pros and Cons

Why Text is a Powerful Learning Tool

While video-based learning has gained popularity, text-based courses still hold a significant place in the education world. They offer unique advantages that make them an essential part of the learning process:

Easier to Scan & Reference: One of the primary benefits of text is that it allows learners to easily scan and reference specific points. Students can quickly find the information they need by skimming through headings, bullet points, or keywords. This makes text-based content highly practical for learners who want to get straight to the essentials without having to sit through a full video.

More Accessible: Text is inherently more accessible to a wider range of audiences. It can be easily translated into different languages, making it ideal for global learners. Additionally, it’s often compatible with screen readers or other assistive technologies, which can be crucial for learners with disabilities. This broad accessibility helps ensure that a diverse range of learners can engage with the content.
Lower Cost & Maintenance: Producing and maintaining text-based content is far less costly than video. Writing requires minimal resources compared to high-quality video production, which involves costs for filming, editing, and equipment. Furthermore, updating text is easier and quicker than re-shooting or re-editing video content, making it simpler to keep the course material current and relevant.
Great for In-Depth Learning: Text is excellent for conveying theoretical concepts, detailed guides, and comprehensive workbooks. It allows for a deep dive into complex subjects without the time constraints of video. Learners who prefer a structured, methodical approach can take their time with text-based content, re-reading sections or following along at their own pace.

Challenges of Text-Based Courses

Despite their many benefits, text-based courses come with their own set of limitations:

Less Engaging: Large blocks of text can feel overwhelming to learners, especially if the content isn’t broken up with images, examples, or interactive elements. Unlike videos, which can grab attention with motion and sound, text requires more effort from learners to stay focused. This can lead to disengagement, especially for those who struggle to maintain attention through long, dense reading material.
No Personal Connection: Text-based courses miss the personal touch that videos provide. Without a real person on screen, learners don’t experience the same level of connection, warmth, or trust-building that can happen in face-to-face instruction. This lack of human interaction can make the learning experience feel impersonal and may reduce motivation for some students.
Not Ideal for All Learning Styles: Not all students thrive with text alone. Some learners, especially those who are more visual or auditory in nature, may find it difficult to engage with or fully understand text-based content. Visual learners, for example, might struggle with abstract concepts presented only in written form, while auditory learners might benefit from hearing explanations rather than reading them.

While text-based courses have their place and offer unique benefits, they might not provide the same level of engagement or accessibility that video or multimedia courses can offer. However, when used effectively, text remains an essential tool in the educator’s toolbox.

The Hybrid Approach: Best of Both Worlds?

Instead of choosing between video or text, many course creators find success in blending both formats. A hybrid course allows instructors to leverage the strengths of each medium while addressing the needs of different learning styles. For instance, combining short video introductions with detailed written guides can create a more dynamic and engaging learning experience.

Additionally, interactive elements such as quizzes, downloadable PDFs, and activities help to reinforce learning and keep students actively involved.

Real-World Example:

A business coach teaching client acquisition strategies might structure their course as follows:

Video Lessons to provide storytelling, share personal experiences, and explain complex concepts in a more engaging, visual way.
Text-Based Resources like scripts, templates, and checklists to give students concrete tools they can use to implement the strategies, offering clear and actionable next steps.

A tech VA course on automation tools could follow a similar approach:

Screen-Share Tutorials (Video) to show students exactly how to use the tools, step-by-step, so they can follow along and learn by seeing the process in action.
PDF Guides (Text) to provide detailed troubleshooting steps and setup instructions, offering a written reference for students to refer back to when needed.

By blending video and text, creators can offer a well-rounded learning experience that engages learners, caters to various learning styles, and makes it easier for students to access and apply the content in real-world situations.

Choosing the Right Format for Your Course

If you’re unsure which format works best for your online course, consider these factors to help you make an informed decision:

Your Target Audience: Understanding who your learners are is key. Are they busy professionals who prefer quick, easy-to-reference material, or are they visual learners who benefit from the storytelling and detailed demonstrations video offers? If your audience is likely to skim through content or needs flexibility in learning, text might be more appealing. If they prefer a more engaging, face-to-face style of learning, video might resonate better.
Your Course Content: The nature of your content plays a big role in the decision. If your course requires demonstrating specific processes, like showing how to use a tool or walking through a complex step-by-step task, video is the obvious choice. On the other hand, if you’re teaching theoretical concepts, providing in-depth analysis, or offering guides and templates, text might be more effective. For example, a technical course might benefit from video for practical demonstrations but require text for detailed troubleshooting instructions.
Your Resources: Consider the resources available to you. Can you invest in the equipment and time needed for high-quality video production, or do you need a more cost-effective text-based approach? Video requires higher initial investment, not just for filming and editing but also for ongoing updates. Text-based courses are more affordable and quicker to produce but may need additional strategies, like clear formatting and engaging writing, to maintain interest.

By carefully evaluating these factors, you can determine whether a video, text, or hybrid approach will best suit your course, ensuring that it meets the needs of your audience, content, and available resources.

Final Thoughts: It’s About Your Learners

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to choosing the right format for your online course. The ideal approach will depend on a combination of factors like your audience, the type of content you’re teaching, and the resources at your disposal. The key is to stay flexible and prioritize what will make the learning experience both engaging and effective for your students.

Whether you choose video, text, or a hybrid format, the goal should always be to make the content accessible, engaging, and actionable. Consider how each format can help students not just absorb information, but also apply it to real-life situations. By focusing on creating content that caters to the needs of your learners, you’ll be able to provide a valuable and impactful educational experience.

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