What do you do if you're unsure of the best tools to create engaging and interactive training videos?

If I'm unsure of the best tools to create engaging and interactive training videos, I would take the following steps: Research and Seek Recommendations: I would reach out to colleagues, peers, or industry experts who have experience creating training videos. Trial Period: I would take advantage of the trial period and assess their usability, features, and compatibility with my specific needs. I would consult with my organization's IT department or technical support teams based on compatibility with existing systems, security considerations, and technical requirements. I would evaluate my budget and resource constraints for selected tools so that I don't run to and fro for approvals

Start by clarifying what you want to achieve with your training videos. Consider factors such as the level of interactivity you need, the complexity of content, target audience, and your budget constraints. Explore different video creation and editing tools that offer features for interactivity. Look for tools that allow you to add quizzes, clickable elements, branching scenarios, and other interactive elements to your videos. Some popular options include: 1. Video Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve. 2. Interactive Video Platforms: HapYak, Rapt Media, WIREWAX. 3. E-Learning Authoring Tools: Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, Camtasia. 4. Online Platforms: Vyond, Powtoon, Moovly.

Decide on your objectives first, in particular; must haves, nice but can sacrifice if needed. Then consider how you want your audience to access the content and if any form of statistics/feedback is required to allow for evaluation. Finally, consider how you want to develop this in the future, will you need to edit existing resources, can you store further resources, how will you organise / deliver content to your target audience. Then, start to examine if you already have the tools / systems available through consultation with your IT Department, and also discuss storage capacity and formats to allow for effective delivery. Just remember, you can produce a great resource, but if people cannot find it or play it, they will not use it.

Jump in with immediate interactivity (it doesn't matter what tool or strategy you use to engage the audience) so that your audience understands that you are "for real" in emphasizing their critical part in the training itself. They are the reason the training exists at all.

Having learned from experience, I would do a prototype Make a Couple of short two minute videos, then share them with people and explore: What’s worked what hasn’t? and then move onto your next prototype

There are so many options available that it's normal for analysis paralysis to set in. Firstly, a content creator needs to assess their own level of technical expertise; novice, intermediate, expert. Then, they should consider their audience / clients / learners. Maybe they already use a particular tool that has an inbuilt video creator. Does it have any interactive features? In my experience, people prefer the familiar and are more likely to access training that they can access immediately, with no or little friction. Finally, budget is an issue and it makes sense to start with a cheaper option just to produce a minimum viable product and get some initial feedback on the content. Production values can improve with each iteration.

The concept of Learn, Unlearn and Relearn perfectly applies here. It takes a lot of effort to create a Learning video, but at the same time, it is very important that, if it's not serving the purpose, have the courage to make the necessary changes. Learning from your own opportunities is the best thing to do.