Videos are great storytellers. They can get your audience to connect and communicate with you on a deeper emotional level, even more than words or pictures. They also help build trust as people can “see” you, what you stand for, and really “connect.”

This is where talking head videos are making waves, especially in eLearning. People are spending more time online. And though there are different kinds of video formats, talking head videos have gained a strong foothold— especially post-COVID, when the need for in-person interactions is sky-high.

And it’s also the most straightforward solution to use in your training.

What is a Talking Head Video?

A talking head video is, literally, a video with a person explaining or talking about a topic directly to the camera. In this video format, only the person’s upper body and head are visible.

The instructor is usually off-center in such videos, and the background is primarily blank or plain. Sometimes, the instructor’s image is showcased in a picture-in-picture (PIP) frame in the corner, and the rest of the screen is filled with a screencast, software simulation, or visuals to highlight or support the presenter’s points.

Here are some examples of talking videos in eLearning:

>> “The Future of Storytelling” MOOC by the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam (FH Potsdam) – A plus point of this video is that it’s not just a recording of a lecture that has been uploaded online. The instructor is natural in front of the camera and genuinely likable.

>> Algebra Basics by Rob in Math Antics – Another great example of a talking head video introducing the concepts of unknown values and variables in algebra.

>> Chief Learning Officer video – It’s a slightly different style of a talking head video, where the presenter talks about creating the infrastructure to support lifelong learning. This video creates a more immersive effect with the view transitioning from the camera laptop to the external camera and vice versa.

Done well, talking head videos can help your learners get to know the instructors and institution and provide a personalized experience.

4 Reasons Why Talking Head Videos Work

1. Cheap and easy to create – The sheer number of talking head videos on platforms like YouTube or Vimeo shows the popularity of this format. And it’s primarily because of the minimal operational costs. All you need is a camera, the video script, an editing tool, and you’re good to go! Anyone with knowledge about the subject matter can create them, and it’s also turning out to be a great resource for cultivating a knowledge-sharing culture.

2. Accommodate different learning styles – Not all learners are the same when it comes to retention and comprehension. And the larger your audience, the more diverse are their respective learning styles. Some people respond to words, while others learn better with visuals or audio. With talking head videos, you can ensure that every learner is receiving information in a format that’s easy to digest.

3. The human element – Perhaps, the most important reason for the popularity of such videos. Research suggests that we are more motivated when there’s a human figurehead providing guidance. Such videos offer a semblance and warmth of in-person interactions in the remote and contactless world through several nonverbal cues, including facial expressions, hand gestures, and intonation. Also, instructors often speak directly into the camera in a talking head video to create a personal, one-on-one learning experience.

4. Aligns well with microlearning – Microlearning (bite-sized learning, where the topic is broken into easy-to-learn small chunks) has become a dominant form of course delivery in eLearning. One of the microlearning course types resembles the talking-head video format, consisting of an interview with an expert where they are asked burning questions. The entire interview is recorded and then divided into several shorter clips or micro-videos.

Use More Talking Head Videos to Supercharge Your eLearning

Talking head videos are common, classic, and proving to be extremely effective in eLearning. Because they are so simple to create, practically anyone can make them with minimal overhead. However, there are several experienced eLearning content development companies like Liqvid who can guide you.

We can build your courses with a thorough understanding of your organization’s training goals and vision for the learning curriculum. We have designed several interactive video learning for various global education providers. Recently, we designed talking head-style video courses to transition the green rating certifications for GRIHA-certified projects online due to COVID-19. We integrated such videos into the existing modules with enhanced graphics, resulting in an uninterrupted certification program with a solid online learning experience.

Contact us today to see how we can create interactive talking head videos that work for you.