You're creating digital learning projects. How can you make sure your videos are engaging? Videos are a powerful way to deliver your learning content, but they can also be boring, confusing, or overwhelming if not done well. In this article, you'll learn some tips and tools to make your videos more engaging and interactive for your learners.
Before you start recording or editing your video, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, who your audience is, and how you'll structure your content. Think about the learning objectives, the main points, the examples, the questions, and the feedback you'll provide. Use a storyboard or a script to outline your video and make sure it's concise, relevant, and aligned with your learning goals.
My motto for videos is to keep them short! I personally shoot for 3 to 5 minutes when I'm planning video content. Learners are less likely to watch a video that's very long and, chances are, the video goes into too much detail or might even go on a tangent (that may not align with learning goals!). Plan the content well so your video content can be bite-sized, relevant, and in alignment with learning goals. This starts with a good outline and script—with SME/stakeholder feedback early in the process!
Start with the learning objectives. Think about what content will help learners better understand the outcomes and how to apply them. After analyzing the objectives, I think about who in my network I can call on to tell stories and share real-life scenarios with learners in a video interview. I always do a prep call or meeting so we can plan the stories and ideas. Then, we get to actually recording a video in-person or virtually.
The biggest mistake I've seen are videos that are extremely long. 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 4 hours? Learners can only consume so much before they completely check out. Rule of thumb: Aim for 1-3 minutes of bit sized concepts. If you're over 5 minutes expect to find eyes have glazed over or light snoring. Your audience has officially check out.
Here are some ways to make engaging 2-way videos for your audience: 1. Bite sized videos which have focussed content and do not ramble. The low attension span of today's learners go well with this. 2. Interactive videos with questions and activities placed at critical and relevant places in the video viewing journey. 3. Monitor the viewing trend of your learners. Which kind of videos are being watched fully as against those which are being dropped early. And create videos based on the viewing analytics.
Antes de comenzar a grabar o editar un video, es necesario realizar una correcta planeación del contenido que se desea transmitir. Por tanto, es importante tener en cuenta los siguientes criterios de calidad: Eficacia: hace referencia cuando el contenido es decir el guión gráfico contribuye al logro de los objetivos de aprendizaje, que éste sea relevante y significativo. Eficiencia: Se refiere a su contribución al logro de los objetivos de aprendizaje con el menor costo económico o de tiempo. Por último, Relevancia: Significa que el video es particularmente valioso y útil para desarrollar actividades de aprendizaje.
One of the advantages of videos is that they can combine different types of media to create a rich and diverse learning experience. You can use visuals, such as images, graphics, animations, or slides, to illustrate your concepts, show data, or highlight key information. You can also use audio, such as narration, music, or sound effects, to enhance your message, create interest, or emphasize emotions. However, be careful not to overload your video with too many elements that might distract or confuse your learners. Choose visuals and audio that are clear, consistent, and complementary to your content.
I use interviews with people working in the field. We talk about real-life scenarios where they are applying the concepts to bring theories to life for learners.
In my experience, language and visuals play a key role. Instead of a monotonous slide deck presentation with a voiceover, add a talking head. Instructor presence is key for learners to feel engaged. In a video covering technical concepts, like complex mathematic theorem explanations, we would alternate between a slide view with a minimized instructor video on the side and an instructor-only view/animated graphics where the instructor is explaining an application of the said concept. Hitting the right balance of instructor presence and displaying key information on the screen at the right time is important.
Audio and captioning are really important. Music in the background should not overpower speaking, and speaking should be dynamic as in a conversation, not monotone. I've seen both good and bad voiceover. Whoever's reviewing it should listen for inflections, tone, melody, etc. Varying all of those aspects of the voice are much more engaging. As for captioning, it's a necessity these days with so many people watching videos on the go where sound may not be possible or feasible. Check your transcripts for captions carefully -- you don't want an accidental word hiccup to influence the perception of the content.
And think about inclusivity. Is everyone in your audience speaking the same language? Do you need subtitles? Which genders, race, accents etc. need to be represented in order for the video to speak to your learners.
Visual appeal is pivotal in holding learners' attention. Utilise high-quality visuals, graphics, and animations to reinforce key points. Complement visuals with clear and crisp audio. Invest in a good microphone to ensure professional sound quality. A well-balanced combination of compelling visuals and clear audio significantly enhances the overall learning experience. Studies show that audio-only information has a retention rate of 10% after 72 hours. Visuals alone have a retention rate of 35%. But, combining the two yields a retention rate of 65% after the same period of time.
Another way to make your videos more engaging is to add interactivity, which means allowing your learners to participate, respond, or control some aspects of your video. For example, you can add quizzes, polls, surveys, or feedback forms to check your learners' understanding, collect their opinions, or provide them with guidance. You can also add branching scenarios, simulations, or games to let your learners make choices, explore consequences, or practice skills. Interactivity can increase your learners' motivation, attention, and retention of your video content.
The ability to add interactivity to your videos is so useful. Creating states of change is a good tactic to increase engagement. If you can add questions or polls or something that the view has to click or engage with to carry on with the video, it will only increase the focus. In the worst case, that the viewer isn't paying attention to your video, this will also allow the video to pause until the viewer is re-engaged.
Interactivity is a game-changer in digital learning. Incorporate quizzes, polls, and interactive elements to engage learners actively. Platforms like Articulate Storyline or H5P allow you to embed interactive features seamlessly. This not only reinforces learning but also provides immediate feedback, fostering a more immersive and participatory learning environment.
Adding interactivity like quizzes or branching scenarios to videos turns passive viewing into an active learning experience, boosting retention and engagement by making learners part of the narrative.
Creating an engaging video requires some level of interaction with the student . It can be a sort of quizzes in between the video , configured in such a way that the student cannot navigate to the next scene without completing the quiz, by this way ,you can be sure that the student understands the topic being taught and can also serve the purpose of distraction management.
Interaktion ist DAS Plus im digitalen Lernen - über zeitliche und r?umliche Horizonte hinweg. Das Angebot sollte liebe etwas zu umfangreich konzipiert werden als zu sparsam. Interaktion in Form von Wissensabfragen, Quizzes usw. erm?glicht etwas Spielerisches zur Auflockerung. Gamification ist nicht jeder Situation angemessen, sollte in der Konzeption aber als Option immer mit gedacht werden. Meiner Erfahrung nach sprechen gut platzierte Elemente viele Zielgruppen an. Interaktion unter Lernenden in Form eines begleiteten Forums oder anderen M?glichkeiten mit zeitlich synchron lernenden in Kontakt zu treten f?rdern die tiefere Auseinandersetzung mit den Inhalten. Das sollte als Angebot zur Verfügung gestellt werden, wo immer es m?glich ist.
Creating engaging and interactive videos requires some tools to record, edit, and publish them. Depending on your budget, skills, and needs, there are several options available. For instance, you can use screen recording software like Camtasia or Screencast-O-Matic to capture your screen, webcam, or voice. Video editing software like Adobe Premiere or iMovie can be used to trim, crop, add transitions, effects, or captions to your video. Interactive video platforms such as H5P or Kaltura can help you add quizzes, branching, or gamification to your video. And learning management systems like Moodle or Canvas make it easy to upload, share, and track your video with your learners.
Selecting the appropriate tools is crucial for the success of your digital learning videos. Platforms like Adobe Premiere Pro or Camtasia offer robust video editing capabilities. Consider using learning management systems (LMS) such as Moodle or Canvas to host and manage your content. Choose tools that align with your technical proficiency and project requirements.
Die Wahl der Werkzeuge ist eine besondere Herausforderung. Idealerweise kann die Konzeption von Spezialisten übernommen werden, die darin Erfahrung haben. Die Umsetzung in Videos bis zum fertigen Lernerlebnis ben?tigt u. U. Spezialisten in der n?tigen Software. Scheuen Sie sich nicht, Hilfe in Anspruch zu nehmen. Niemand kann alle Tools und alle M?glichkeiten der Software kennen, auch wenn es mittlerweile immer mehr intuitiv nutzbare Anwendungen gibt, sollten ihre inhaltlichen Ideen und Ihr Konzept nicht durch das KnowHow in der Umsetzung eingeschr?nkt werden.
Before you launch your video to your learners, it is important to test it and improve it based on feedback. You can test the video yourself, or ask a colleague, friend, or sample of your learners to watch it and provide their opinions. When asking for feedback, consider questions such as: is the video clear, relevant, and aligned with the learning objectives? Is it engaging, interesting, and interactive? Is the video easy to access, view, and navigate? Is it appropriate for the audience, context, and device? Based on the feedback you receive, you can make adjustments, corrections, or additions to your video in order to make it more engaging and effective for your learners.
Start SIMPLE and SMALL. Too many creators start by saying something like, "we'll create a video series that teaches ____." Instead of diving right in, try this: 1. Figure out who your audience is 2. Choose ONE idea or skill (takes <2 min to explain) 3. Create ONE video 4. Document how long it takes to make the video 5. Ask for feedback from one viewer 6. Make those changes 7. Test and improve your single video 8. Document all of your steps Then you can repeat. Video is just like any other product...it requires an MVP and small tests. Also, editing always takes at least 4x longer than you'd expect.
Start the feedback loop early with peers where possible. Its easier to edit and iterate as you go than go back on a finished product and try to insert edits.
A very practical way to do this. If you have created a screencast where you are showing HOW-TO do something, for example how-to save a file Share the video with a friend / colleague General Feedback You can ask for feedback on video recording, including, how you looked, sounded, was it clear, concise the lighting, the audio, the post-production elements etc Specific Feedback When they finish are they able to do that thing? = save a file This is the practical and specific feedback element as this is the key learning outcome for this video The general feedback will help improve the overall "look and feel" of the video design and production, and the specific feedback will help improve your focus on the learning outcomes. And smile!
Testing is really important for user experience. I've seen too many programs with great content where the learner steps away early because of difficulty engaging with the content. I like to ask someone outside my team with little knowledge of the topic/project to review before launching so that I can get a fresh perspective. They're more likely to catch issues, particularly typos!, when they're not too close with the program. Another thing to consider is type of device your learner will use. The user experience on a smartphone can be quite different from a laptop, and you don't necessarily want to be restrictive in which devices can be used.
Das Feedback von erfahrenen Kolleg*innen oder v?llig unbeteiligten Personen ist sehr interessant, weil der Blick auf das Arbeitsergebnis ein anderer ist, als man es selbst nach intensiver Arbeit selbst bewerkstelligen kann. Der Blick der Zielgruppe, für die das Produkt gedacht ist, ist natürlich der beste Test, den man bekommen kann. Idealerweise hat man die M?glichkeit, m?glichst realistische Test zu durchlaufen und genügend Zeit, die Rückmeldungen umzusetzen. Ideal ist es auch, l?nger in Nutzung befindliche Produkte in regelm??igen Abst?nden zu evaluieren.
Smile Yes Really! Smile Just before you speak to record your audio - take a drink of water, a deep breath and smile, your audience, your learners will hear it in your voice. This helps build a connection. So instead of potentially coming across as bored, angry, tired or monotone, - you will sound like you are happy to help them.
Here are 4 elements for every good video has: F - Focus O - Organization C - Content A - Action 1. Focus is about knowing your audience, what you want them to do after watching the video before writing your script. 2. Organization - This is about choosing a single topic/skill/idea to teach in your video. 3. Content - design for visuals by using less text and more pictures/examples/stock footage and let the voiceover do the talking. 4. Action - put your video where your audience is looking for solutions (not an LMS). Look to see what works and improve upon it with the next video. With these four elements, you're building on purpose rather than at random!
Understand the audience context. Why should someone watch this video? Where will they watch this video? How will they apply the information presented in this video? There's a BIG DIFFERENCE in creating content for a contact center agent as compared to a manufacturing worker. You may be conveying similar information, but the context is vastly different and therefore should guide the design and delivery.
You should also consider: Accessibility: Ensure your videos are accessible to all learners, including those with disabilities. Provide captions, transcripts, and alt text for visuals to enhance inclusivity. Mobile Optimisation: Optimise videos for mobile viewing. With an increasing number of learners accessing smartphone content, compatibility enhances accessibility and convenience. Personalisation: Tailor your content to different learning styles. Offer options for self-paced learning, allowing learners to control their educational journey. Engage Through Storytelling: Weave a narrative into your content. Storytelling not only makes the information more relatable but also creates an emotional connection, enhancing overall engagement.
- Search for feedback - Act natural - Use pauses to your advantage - Vary your tone - Smile and show your enthusiasm - Ask rhetorical questions or try to use storytelling fundamentals.