Presentation vs. Video: Which Is More Effective for Modern Education?

erikabassovisionfa
Jun 12
5 min read

Updated: Jun 16

Author: Elisa Krahl

ELearning takes 40–60% less time to complete than traditional classroom learning—and even better, it produces nearly 90% less energy consumption than face-to-face training. In an era where time and sustainability matter more than ever, the way we teach is rapidly changing.

But when it comes to digital education, one question remains: Are live presentations or pre-recorded videos the better choice? Let’s break down the pros, cons, and best use cases for each format.

Defining the formats

To begin with, I will clarify what is meant by presentations and videos in the educational context.

Presentations refer to live or real-time sessions, typically led by an instructor using tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, or interactive whiteboards. These sessions may occur e.g. in physical classrooms, on conferences or via video conferencing platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

Videos, on the other hand, include pre-recorded educational content. This category spans YouTube lectures, animated explainers, video tutorials, and MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses). Learners can watch these videos on demand, often with options to pause, rewind, or rewatch.

Once the terms are defined, it must be said, that the choice between them can be important for learning outcomes, motivation, and effectiveness. So, let’s get into this next.

Learning outcomes and retention

One of the biggest concerns in education is how well the delivered content is retained. Research suggests that active learning environments—in which students engage in real-time with content—can boost memory and understanding. Presentations often support this through immediate interaction, dynamic pacing, and the possibility of spontaneous Q&A sessions.

However, videos have their own cognitive advantages. According to a study (published in the Journal of Educational Psychology), learners who had access to pre-recorded lectures could retain more information over time. In particular, this happened, because pausing and rewinding helped them revisit challenging concepts, which improved long-term retention.

Therefore, while presentations foster engagement, videos enhance review and reinforcement. Each format has a role to play in supporting cognitive processes like attention, encoding, and recall. It is not surprising, that studies than show, that there are no differences in retention in general, but in the different kinds of retention: Live presentations are better for a deeper understanding while videos lead to better memory of the content.

Advantages of presentations

Presentations have stood the test of time, and for good reason. The most important challenges are as followed:

Real-time interaction: Live sessions allow learners to ask questions, give feedback, and clarify misunderstandings immediately. This leads to a greater engagement of the learner.
Adaptive instruction: Educators can adjust their teaching based on reactions, the existing knowledge and participation, making the session more personalized and dynamic. Through immediate feedback, parts of the presentation, the complexity and way of presenting can be adapted.
Collaborative learning: Discussions, breakout rooms, and group tasks thrive in live settings, fostering social learning and critical thinking. This again fosters the communication skills of the teaching and the learning person.

In sum, presentations work best when dialogue, collaboration, or improvisation is central to the learning goal.

Advantages of videos

Pre-recorded videos bring a different set of benefits that align well with self-directed and asynchronous learning:

Flexibility & control: Learners can learn anytime and anywhere—making education more accessible for working adults, parents, or international learners. Videos can also be adjusted to your own learning pace as much as they can be replayed and stopped at any time. Studies find that the use of video can boost learning, if used correctly.
Consistency: Every learner receives the same explanation, tone, and pace, reducing variability and potential confusion. This can ensure a high quality constantly.
Scalability: Videos can reach thousands of learners without additional cost or instructor time, making them ideal for massive online education or corporate training.

Moreover, videos often include visuals, animations, and storytelling techniques that make abstract or technical content more engaging and easier to grasp.

Use cases: when to use what

Now that we have seen that both have their own advantages – which one will you choose? Instead of choosing one format over the other, the key lies in understanding when to use which. Each format serves different educational needs:

Presentations are ideal for:

· Workshops

· Group discussions

· Office hours or live Q&A sessions

· Onboarding and coaching sessions

Videos on the other hand work best for:

· Tutorials

· Concept explainers

· Lecture replacements in flipped classrooms

· Revisions and exam preparation

Since both formats are used in different cases, it does not surprise that blended learning is an increasingly popular strategy. It combines both formats to optimize outcomes. For example, an instructor might assign a video for homework and then use the live session to discuss, debate, or apply the content. This model is often referred to as the flipped classroom, and it has shown strong results in boosting both engagement and comprehension.

Educator and student perspectives

Educator and learner preferences vary widely, often depending on learning styles, technical access, and instructional goals.

Surveys show that students value the flexibility of videos, especially for exam preparation. One student from a hybrid university program noted: “Being able to pause and replay lectures helped me study at my own pace, which I couldn’t do in live classes.”

Educators, on the other hand, often prefer presentations for real-time feedback and community building. As one teacher put it: “Live sessions give me a pulse on how students are feeling. I can see confusion instantly and address it.”

In the end, it's essential to match the format to the learner and context—not based on outdated learning style myths, but on practical needs and cognitive effectiveness. Combining visual, auditory, and interactive elements tends to enhance understanding for everyone. Choosing the right format means considering access, content complexity, and how learners can best stay engaged.

Conclusion: the future is hybrid

To conclude, the question isn’t whether presentations or videos are better, but rather how and when to use each effectively.

Presentations shine in interactive, collaborative, and feedback-oriented settings, whereas videos are powerful tools for flexibility, consistency, and scaling. Combining the two—through blended or flipped learning models—can provide the best of both worlds. Meta-analysis show that blended learning can improve the performance, the attitude towards learning and achieving learning objectives.

As digital education continues to evolve, embracing both formats strategically will empower educators and learners alike. By understanding the strengths of each, we can create engaging, effective, and inclusive learning environments for all.