When starting to record course videos, many instructors and creators face a small question that actually has a big impact on the learning experience:

👉 Should you film vertically or horizontally?

Vertical feels like TikTok or Reels — familiar to mobile users.

Horizontal feels more “lecture-style” — like Zoom, YouTube, or traditional online courses.

There isn’t one correct answer for everyone. The right choice depends on your learning goals, your content, and your learners’ behavior.

Let’s explore which format is right for you.

1. Why Does Video Framing Matter So Much?

Video framing isn’t just a technical detail. It directly affects:

• How learners watch your lesson (computer or mobile)
• How the video appears inside a lesson
• Focus and concentration
• The ability to rewatch and review
• Long-term reusability of your content

When uploading videos into a lesson on Ourdemy, the frame determines:

• Whether the video fills the learning space properly
• Whether learners can comfortably watch the video while opening materials

Many instructors encounter situations like:

• Vertical videos → appear small in lessons, with large empty spaces on the sides
• Horizontal videos → difficult to reuse for social media without cropping
• Mixed vertical and horizontal formats → the course looks less professional

👉 That’s why the decision should be made before recording, based on the primary purpose of the video within your course.

2. Understanding the Difference: Vertical vs. Horizontal

Before asking “which one should I choose?”, it’s important to understand that each format serves different learning behaviors.

Horizontal (Landscape – 16:9 ratio)

• Ideal for desktop and laptop screens
• The standard format for lectures, tutorials, and training
• Works well with slides, screen recordings, whiteboards, and documents
• Suitable for longer, focused learning sessions

👉 This is the default and most optimized format when uploading videos into lessons on online learning platforms like Ourdemy.

Vertical (Portrait – 9:16 ratio)

• Optimized for mobile viewing
• Feels more personal and natural
• Suitable for short-form content
• Less ideal for slide-heavy or detailed demonstrations

👉 Better suited for supplementary content rather than core lessons.

📌 There is no “absolutely correct” format — only the format that best fits your purpose.

3. When Should You Choose Horizontal for Course Videos?

If your video is part of the core learning content, horizontal is almost always the safer and more sustainable choice.

You should prioritize horizontal when:

• The video teaches core concepts
• The duration is medium to long (over 5–7 minutes)
• It includes:
  • Slides
  • Screen recordings or demonstrations
  • Documents, whiteboards, visual materials
• The content is structured and systematic, requiring repeated review
• Learners mainly study on desktop or laptop

In the context of learning on Ourdemy, horizontal videos:

• Display fully within lessons
• Allow learners to take notes while watching
• Preserve details in full-screen mode

👉 That’s why most main course videos on Ourdemy and other LMS platforms use horizontal format.

4. When Is Vertical Still a Good Choice?

Vertical videos are often suitable for supporting content, not the primary lesson material.

You may consider vertical when the video:

• Is short (1–5 minutes)
• Serves purposes like:
  • Quick explanations
  • Knowledge prompts
  • Tips and insights
• Is primarily viewed on mobile devices
• Can be reused for marketing or onboarding

Content types suitable for vertical format:

• Course or lesson introduction (welcome video)
• Quick platform usage guides
• Motivational messages to learners
• Short announcements or updates

📌 In a course structure, these vertical videos are usually placed:

• At the beginning of a module
• Or between lessons as supporting content

5. Quick Comparison: Vertical vs. Horizontal for Course Videos

👉 If you must choose only one format for your entire course, horizontal remains the safest and most appropriate choice for online learning platforms.

6. Can You Combine Both Formats?

The answer is: Yes — if you clearly define the role of each type of video.

A common approach when building courses on Ourdemy:

• Use horizontal for:
  • Core lectures
  • In-depth tutorials
• Use vertical for:
  • Welcome videos
  • Platform guidance
  • Additional insights and announcements

Thanks to flexible lesson organization, learners can still enjoy a seamless experience even when different formats are used strategically.

👉 What matters most isn’t “which format to use,” but what role the video plays in the learning journey.

Conclusion

There is no format that is absolutely better.

There is only the format that aligns with your learning goals and course strategy.

Before pressing record, ask yourself:

• Where will learners watch this video?
• At what stage of the course does this video appear?
• Is this core content or supporting material?

When you choose the right format from the beginning,

your videos won’t just look better — your course on Ourdemy will feel clearer, more professional, and more sustainable in the long run.