Talking heads in eLearning? Rethinking their role in modern Learning Design
Do we really need talking heads in eLearning? Or could a tight script, solid graphics, and good audio do the job better? And what about those AI avatars popping up everywhere—are they just digital distractions? Here's my Learning Design perspective.
Hi, I'm Bianca Raby—lifelong Learning Designer and eLearning nerd. This question about talking heads recently took over my brain, sparked by some eye-opening research from The Science of Learning on Substack. So let's dive into what the evidence says, what the market is showing us, and how this impacts Learning Design decisions moving forward.
Talking heads vs. audio-only: the battle for learner attention in eLearning
First up: what even is a talking head? In eLearning, it's typically a video of an instructor talking, often inset in the corner of the screen. It humanises the course—but is that always helpful?
A study by Sonderman and Merkt (2022) found that talking heads actually had detrimental effects on factual recall. Yet learners felt more satisfied and engaged when they saw them. Sound familiar? It's like the myth of learning styles—we believe we're learning more, even if the data says otherwise.
So, where does this leave us as Learning Design professionals?
Well, the human element still matters. Garcia and Yousef (2023) found that combining talking heads with annotations in asynchronous videos led to the highest engagement, satisfaction, and attitude scores over a 14-week course with 200 students.
But there's a catch: these were longer "lecture-style" videos, and we know learners struggle with that format in eLearning. I argue that Learning Design needs to favour short-form video—around 7–8 minutes max—with talking heads only if they add real value.
Learning Design and market clues: TED, MasterClass & Crash Course
Still skeptical? Let's turn to the marketplace. Millions tune in monthly to:
- MasterClass – Premium talking head-driven content with pro storytelling
- TED Talks – Big ideas, delivered with emotion and clarity
- Crash Course – Blending animation, humor, and strong scripting
Each platform proves that talking heads in eLearning work if paired with strong Learning Design, clear structure, and compelling delivery.
But here's the twist—none of these rely on talking heads alone. They blend modalities. And that's the sweet spot for great eLearning.
What about AI talking heads in eLearning?
Now, onto the synthetic stuff. AI talking heads—digital avatars created using tools like Colossyan—are gaining traction in the eLearning world. They're diverse, customisable, and increasingly lifelike.
But will learners engage?
The jury's still out. There's the "uncanny valley" effect—when avatars look almost real, but not quite, triggering discomfort. And from my experience? I've never watched an AI talking head longer than 60 seconds before zoning out.
So, while AI might support audio and narration, in Learning Design, we need to be cautious before replacing real humans with avatars. Research will catch up, but for now, authenticity still wins.
Talking heads in eLearning, and the future of Learning Design
The takeaway? There's no one-size-fits-all rule. The use of talking heads in eLearning should be strategic, not habitual. Your script, structure, and storytelling must do the heavy lifting. And as Learning Design continues to evolve alongside AI, we must keep asking: what truly helps the learner?
So, what's your take—do talking heads enhance your eLearning experience or distract from it? Would you trust an AI avatar to teach your students?
Let's keep this conversation alive.
Until next time, stay awesome—and question everything.