When online professional education was first made available to lawyers, doctors, nurses, accountants and other professionals, end-users’ expectations were modest. If the learner could connect, stay connected, and hear the presentation, it was an online educational success! Several decades later, learner expectations have changed dramatically.
Expectations have changed because technology has improved significantly over the years with many added interactive features and functions available with the delivery of online learning. However, expectations are greatest with the millennial (also known as Gen Y) professionals because a technological world is all they have ever known.
Understanding and working to meet the expectations of millennials when it comes to online learning is a must as they enter the workforce. Without anticipating and adapting to their wants and needs, millennials will look elsewhere for their online continuing education, and it is a lot of business to lose. “Millennials are the 54 million adult Americans aged between 18 and 34 in 2015 and now make up one third of the American workforce, the largest generation at work.” 1
On the list of millennial expectations is high-quality video.
Millennials know video. They grew up in the age of the home video recorder. Seventy percent of millennials visit YouTube at least monthly. 2 The education of millennials has included a heavy dose of video instruction, including the use of the flipped classroom. On demand learning is a part of their undergraduate and graduate school experience, and they consume content when they want to do so and not before. And just any old video will not do.
“Whether it’s because they are truly entitled, or because it’s all they’ve ever known, Millennials have high expectations when it comes to the quality of the video they consume. A study by Conviva, as reported by eMarketer, found young adults spent more than double the time on sites that offered high-quality viewing experiences, as opposed to those that were lacking in quality.” 3
So what makes for a high-quality video? We’re not talking Hollywood quality, but a minimum consider some of the following:
- High definition (HD)
- Color correction
- Multiple cameras
- Lighting
- Enhanced sound
- Graphics
- Pre and post rolls
- Embedded slides
For special or required courses, consider a “studio” shoot, especially if the course is to have a multi-year life. Shooting outside a live program, especially with a professional videographer, makes it easier to kick it up a notch.
InReach offers enhanced post-production services. If you are interested, contact your client success manager.
Sources
1. Everything you need to know about your Millennial co-workers
2. Facebook is the Most Visited Social Network; Twitter and Google+ Tied for 3rd
3. “3 Digital Video Qualities Millennials Crave
*And for the young ones who just don’t know – Video Killed the Radio Star
