Study Shown: Integrating Videos into Learning Management Systems Increases Knowledge Retention
13 to 80 milliseconds is all it takes for the average human brain to process entire images, as reported by a team of MIT neuroscientists in a 2014 study, published in the journal Attention, Perception and Psychophysics, making it highly likely that most people are visual learners.
So, how does this 11-year-old discovery relate to the integration of video content in Learning Management Systems (LMS)? Whether it’s onboarding, compliance, or skills training, video helps information sink in better than plain text.
Imagine this: you’re on a plane. Instead of reading a bulky safety card, you watch a 3 – 7-minute safety instruction video that shows exactly what to do. That memory sticks – not because you read words, but because you saw, heard, and visualised it.
A fully animated instructional MAS fire safety video produced by VICINITY Studio (December 2019).
But how does it work?
According to learning-data platforms, video-based training results in significantly higher engagement and completion rates than text-based training. We’ve broken it down to 3 key factors:
- Repetition: You watch these videos every time you board a plane. An LMS with an accessible video content bank makes it not only convenient for corporate personnel to learn at their own pace, but also easier to remember.
- Easily Digestible: It follows the core principles of microlearning. Dividing large chunks of information into smaller, easily manageable highlights that fit within 3 – 10 minutes makes it easier for audiences to digest complex information.
- Visual & Auditory Elements Are More Engaging Than Text: While nuanced, approximately 65% of the world’s population are visual learners, as cited in a 2004 Social Science Research Network paper by C. Bradford, suggesting that better knowledge retention is linked to the inclusion of multimedia content.
National Cancer Centre Singapore’s Young Women Breast Cancer Educational Post Video, produced by VICINITY Studio (October 2023)
Not Just A B2C Marketing Tactic – It’s A Non-Negotiable for All Audiences
Today’s B2C video marketing landscape sees “98% of consumers watching explainer videos when learning about a product or service”, as stated by Wyzowl’s Marketing Statistics report of 2025.
What this means for corporations is that video content is key to enhancing learner engagement and retention, as backed by the University of Illinois Chicago’s Creative and Digital Services statement:
“Video viewers retain 95% of the message, whereas text-only users retain just 10%”.
In summary:
- People prefer video over reading. Research shows employees are 75% more likely to watch a video than read documents or emails.
- Higher retention and better recall. Video-based learning improves long-term memory and understanding – especially for complex or technical topics.
- Flexible and scalable. Whether your team is remote, global, or hybrid, video training scales easily and is accessible on demand, anytime, anywhere.
- Consistent communication. Every viewer gets the same message, delivered consistently, avoiding issues from differing trainers or varying sessions.
July Masterclass, hosted by VICINITY Studio
Types of Video Formats That Would Increase LMS Engagement and Knowledge Retention
Based on recent research and learning-design best practices, these video formats stand out, be it corporate or academic:
- Short and focused (under 5 – 10 minutes): Attention stays higher, retention improves.
- Visually & audibly engaging: Combine demonstration, narration, and visual cues so learners absorb, not just see. Think Hubspot Academy, Coursera, or LinkedIn Learning.
- Interactive or application-oriented: Embed quizzes, prompts, or activities to encourage active learning, not passive watching.
- Flexible & on-demand: Learners can access from anywhere, on any device, at their own pace.
A mixed media safety instruction video for Singapore Pools Limited (SPPL), produced by VICINITY Studio. (2024)
So, Why Should You Invest In A Video-Led Learning Management System?
- Scalable & consistent: One video can train hundreds of employees consistently.
- Cost- and time-efficient: Reduces the need for repetitive live training sessions.
- Inclusive & accessible: Good for remote teams, shift workers, and multilingual staff.
- Learner-centric: Accommodates different learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic).
- Retention & compliance: Dramatically increases higher recall and reduces misunderstandings for technical or safety training.
So, if you want corporate learning that actually sticks, and not create slides that end up gathering dust on the Cloud, videos are not optional. They are essential.
Want to know how to communicate effectively with the right corporate video? Check out our previous article on how to write the best corporate video script to boost engagement and increase communication effectiveness.
Or: Call us today at +6569936993 or reach out at [email protected] – let’s enhance your Learning Management Systems, together.
