Make Your Educational Videos Stick with Memory Science

This is article 2 of 3 from my free eBook, “Revolutionizing eLearning with Video.”

Hey educators, trainers, and course creators!

Ever wonder why students forget your video lessons so fast?

It’s not their fault - it’s how the brain works. But you can fix that by scripting videos that tap into memory science.

I’m Stuart Heimdal, an EdTech consultant who’s helped schools like Codecademy boost engagement by 18% with better scripts. In my new eBook, Revolutionizing eLearning with Video: The 74% Solution, I share a 4-step framework to create videos that students remember and use.

Today, I’ll show you how to script for retention, using tips from Chapter 2. Let’s make your lessons stick!

How Memory Affects Learning in Videos

Our brains have limits. Working memory - the part that holds info while we learn - can only handle 4-7 things at once. A 2018 study found that going beyond this overwhelms learners, making them forget what they watched (Source: Psychological Review, Vol. 125, No. 3).

That’s why long, dense videos don’t work.

For most audiences, 5-7 minute videos fit within these limits, keeping things manageable. (Shorter is better.)

Another trick is the spacing effect.

This means breaking info into small bits and repeating key points.

In the eBook, I cite a 2020 study showing that spacing improves recall by 20% compared to dumping everything at once (Source: Journal of Memory and Language, Vol. 112).

So, split your video into mini-lessons with quick reviews.

Emotions help too.

A 2019 study found that emotionally engaging content boosts retention by 15% because it activates the brain’s memory center (Source: Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Vol. 165).

Tie your lessons to real-life scenarios or spark curiosity to make them memorable.

Chunking: Break It Down for Better Recall

To help learners remember, break your video into small chunks.

Think of chunks as bite-sized lessons, like 2-4 per 5-minute video, depending on how tough the topic is.

The University of Wisconsin suggests this range based on their research (Source: Wisconsin Center for Education Research, 2022 Report).

For example, a video on project management might have three chunks: goal-setting, task delegation, and progress tracking.

Keep chunks 1-2 minutes each for a steady rhythm. Use phrases like “Next, let’s look at” or “Now that we’ve covered that” to connect them smoothly.

Visual cues help too - things like on-screen text or icons to show where one chunk ends and another starts.

Georgia State University’s online sociology course used color-coded slides for chunk transitions, improving comprehension by 25% (Source: Georgia State University, 2021 eLearning Report).

Try this in your next video: plan three chunks, add a transition phrase between each, and use a simple visual (like a title slide) to mark the shift.

Keep Them Hooked with a Story

A good story keeps learners watching. You don’t need a blockbuster - just a simple arc that makes sense for education.

Start with a problem, build tension, then solve it.

For example, in a video on project management, begin with “Why do teams miss deadlines?” Then talk about challenges, and end with solutions.

A 2022 study I reference in the eBook found that narrative-driven videos increase engagement by 30% (Source: Journal of Educational Technology, Vol. 49, No. 5).

Add curiosity gaps to keep them interested.

Ask questions like “What’s the one mistake most beginners make?” and answer later. Balance predictability (a clear structure) with surprises (a fun fact or example).

Codecademy did this in their coding videos with a “mystery bug” narrative - they revealed a common error halfway through, boosting completion rates by 18% (Source: Codecademy, 2023 Instructional Data).

Try this: start your next video with a question, then build a simple story around solving it.

Balance Cognitive Load for Easier Learning

Cognitive load is how much mental effort a video demands. Too much, and learners tune out.

There are three types: extraneous (stuff that distracts), intrinsic (the topic’s complexity), and germane (helpful connections).

Cutting extraneous load improves test scores by 22% (Source: Educational Psychology Review, Vol. 33, No. 2). So, skip unnecessary animations or off-topic stories.

To manage intrinsic load, break tough topics into steps.

For example, teach basic Python loops before jumping to nested ones. Boost germane load with examples that connect to real life, like using a spreadsheet for data analysis.

Wake Technical Community College cut extraneous load by removing background music from their finance videos, improving retention by 15% (Source: Wake Tech, 2022 Online Learning Review).

For your next video, cut one distracting element (like loud music) and add a practical example your learners can relate to.

Use a Script Template to Save Time

Here’s a quick template from Chapter 2 for procedural learning - perfect for “how-to” videos. It’s structured for a 5-minute video:

• Intro (30 seconds): State the goal, like “Learn how to set up a VPN.”

• Step 1 (1-2 minutes): Show the first step with a demo.

• Step 2 (1-2 minutes): Show the next step, building on the first.

• Review (30 seconds): Recap the steps and give a next action.

Microsoft used this structure for their IT training videos, increasing task accuracy by 20% (Source: Microsoft Learning, 2022 Report).

Write a script for your next video using this template. Keep it short, chunked, and focused on one skill.

Your Turn: Transform a Script

Try this exercise from the eBook to make a script more engaging. Take a boring script (or write a 100-word sample). Here’s an example:

• Before: “Photosynthesis is a process where plants use sunlight to make food. It involves chlorophyll and carbon dioxide.” (No hook, too flat.)

• After: “Ever wonder how plants eat sunlight? Photosynthesis turns light into food using chlorophyll. Let’s break down the three steps.” (Adds curiosity, chunks the content.)

Now, revise your script: add a question to spark interest, break it into chunks, and cut distractions. Read it aloud - does it flow? Does it keep you hooked? Share it with a colleague and ask if it’s engaging. This small change can make a big difference, just like it did for Codecademy.

Take Your Videos to the Next Level

Scripting with memory science is step two of the 4-step framework in my eBook, Revolutionizing eLearning with Video: The 74% Solution. It’s packed with more tips, templates, and examples to help you create videos that stick.

Download it for free right now at sheimdal.com - it’s a limited-time offer you don’t want to miss.

Or, book a free 15-minute consultation call with me at sheimdal.com. I’ll help you script videos that get results. Let’s make your eLearning unforgettable - start today!

Other FREE eBooks: 5 Steps to Agency-Quality Video | Screenwriter’s Logline Creation Guide | Digital Brand Storytelling | Plan Your Day Like A Pro: Positions of Power 30-60-90