The way we learn and teach changes every year. With more technology on the market come many new learning opportunities. The use of multimedia started one of such shifts a few decades ago. It was obvious that children like learning by watching movies, animation, or other video formats. 

The addition of visuals and sounds makes each lesson much more engaging, fun, and memorable. Well, the times of rolling in an old TV with a black and white screen are long gone. Now, every parent and every teacher can use modern technology to facilitate the learning process among students. So, let’s see the role of video and audio formats in learning through online platforms, what benefits they bring, and how to utilize these advantages to the fullest. 

Easier Learning 

Let’s start by pointing out how online learning is becoming the leading form of education throughout the world. Now, the use of videos and audio is a big part of it. Videos show things in a way that's easy to comprehend and remember. This makes learning more real and easier to understand, especially for people who like to learn by seeing.

They can also serve as a medium where a teacher explains concepts, supplemented with visuals such as pictures, animations, events, or experiments. Hence, students receive a visual representation of what they’ve just heard from a teacher. Hearing about a historical event or process in chemistry is one thing. However, it is a whole other thing when you can see a video of these events on a screen. Such a multi-sensory approach makes delivering complex concepts and processing new ideas easier. 

Real-Life Examples

Videos that showcase real-world situations or include interviews with experts provide a practical dimension to the learning experience. This exposure helps learners connect theoretical knowledge with its application in real-life scenarios, similar to going on a field trip or having a conversation with a person/witness/creator personally. The inclusion of such real-world examples contributes to a more engaging and applicable educational journey.

Learning Anywhere

Learners can now engage with educational content while on the go. Audio stuff, like podcasts and lectures, is perfect for them. It gives an option other than reading. Using the power of sound helps these learners understand and remember things better. In addition, this format makes learning more flexible and fits into your daily life. 

Plus, some people learn better when they listen. For those who learn better by listening, audio content like podcasts and lectures is a great option. Now, this type of learner can fully embrace the power of sound to enhance understanding and pay better attention to the lessons. It's like having a learning experience through your ears!

Equal Opportunities 

Educational videos on various subjects are easily available on platforms like YouTube and Khan Academy. Thanks to videos and audio, it doesn't matter where you live or what school you can physically attend. Good-quality educational videos are accessible to everyone regardless of where they are. This is making education more fair for everyone. It means people from all around the world can have equal learning opportunities.

Playing While Learn

Beyond just watching, online learning involves playing and quizzes. These elements make learning enjoyable and act as checks for understanding. Games and challenges add excitement and keep learners interested in the educational journey.

Plus, games often combine videos and audio, creating a more engaging learning experience. When you see and hear at the same time, your understanding improves. This way, you use different parts of your brain to learn. It's like having a double dose of learning.

Active vs Passive Media Consumption

There is one concern about the increasing presence of video and audio formats in learning. There is a rather big difference between active and passive media consumption. In a way, multimedia is used to create more engaging and active lessons, offering new activities for students so they feel more inclined to participate in lessons. Indeed, actively thinking and processing what you’ve just heard ensures better understanding, moving beyond just watching. However, with so much video and audio content online, many young people tend to get overwhelmed and overloaded with information. This often leads to more passive consumption of content. In this case, people would watch or listen without actively processing the content. 

It is important to have regular breaks, analytical sessions after the listening/watching sessions, and time for reflecting on the material to prevent passive content consumption. However, in case passive learning happens, students can seek online help. For instance, they can contact professional writing services, saying, “Can you write an essay for me?” while continuing to listen to the podcast or lecture. 

Tomorrow's Learning

In the future, learning with videos and audio will get even more advanced, appealing, and encouraging. New techs like augmented reality and virtual reality will change how we learn and perceive new information. These things will make learning more exciting, efficient, and personal. The emphasis on online learning will keep growing over time, and video and audio materials will keep advancing and expanding along with it.