L.E.A.R.N. 💡
"L" is for Length, and yes, size really does matter
One of the main issues I see when I take online classes or coach teachers in their course design is that their videos are simply too long and contain too many topics inside each module—something we’ll cover next month.
When it comes to course design, the length of video lessons is a crucial factor in maximizing student engagement and learning outcomes. Research consistently indicates that video lessons of around 8-10 minutes are optimal. This length leverages cognitive science principles, maintains student attention, and enhances information retention.
Keep the Load Light
Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) states that learners have limited cognitive resources and can be overwhelmed by too much information at once. When you apply this to online course design, that means shorter = more effective. According to Sweller, Ayres, and Kalyuga (2011), breaking your content into smaller chunks allows for better processing and understanding. When learners are presented with concise videos, they more easily absorb and retain the information without experiencing cognitive overload. In other words, they remember what you just taught them.
Hours - and I do mean LOTS OF HOURS - are spent creating course content. Don’t you want your students to actually remember what you spent hours putting together? Keep that load light to make that happen.
Squirrel!
Who doesn’t love a good Up reference? I know I do. Love me some Up. Anyhoo … I digress (See what I did there?) Attention span is a critical factor in designing educational content. Studies show that attention spans wane significantly after 10 minutes. Guo, Kim, and Rubin (2014) conducted a comprehensive study on MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) videos and found that the median engagement time for videos was around six minutes, with a sharp decline thereafter. Educators can align with natural attention spans by keeping video lessons to 8-10 minutes, ensuring learners stay engaged and focused throughout the video. We’ll cover engagement more thoroughly when we get the E in L.E.A.R.N.
Git ‘Er Done
How do you measure whether your class is working for students? For most people, it’s completion rates. This is also how many teachers make their money with online classes, especially on platforms like Skillshare, where you are paid for the minutes watched. Research indicates that shorter videos have higher completion rates compared to longer ones. An analysis by Wistia (2016) showed that videos under 10 minutes are watched, on average, in their entirety by more viewers than longer videos. This is critical for online teachers where ensuring that learners view the entire content is essential both for the students to learn and for them to get paid.
Bite-sized is Best
Every learner is different and has different needs and schedules. Shorter videos offer greater flexibility and accessibility. Students with varying schedules can fit 8-10 minute videos into their routines more easily than longer modules. This flexibility is particularly beneficial in online learning environments where students may not have consistent blocks of time to dedicate to lengthy videos. For instance, I mostly have time to watch videos while on the treadmill or eating lunch. I need them short and sweet.
Act on It
Take a look at your current course offering and see where your modules are longer than the recommended 8-10 minutes. Are there natural breaks in the module where you can cut them down? Make a list and keep it for next month.
References
Bjork, R. A. (2011). On the symbiosis of learning, remembering, and forgetting. Improving Students’ Learning With Effective Learning Techniques, 19-36.
Guo, P. J., Kim, J., & Rubin, R. (2014). How video production affects student engagement: An empirical study of MOOC videos. In Proceedings of the first ACM conference on Learning @ scale conference (pp. 41-50).
Sweller, J., Ayres, P., & Kalyuga, S. (2011). Cognitive Load Theory. Springer.
Wistia (2016). Video lengths and engagement: Insights from Wistia's data.
