Training videos are a popular and effective way to deliver online courses for staff development. But how can you make sure your audience stays interested and motivated throughout your video? Here are some tools and tips that can help you create engaging and interactive training videos.
The first few seconds of your video are crucial to capture your audience's attention and set the tone for the rest of the course. You can use a hook, such as a question, a story, a statistic, or a problem, to spark curiosity and interest. You can also use visuals, such as images, animations, or graphics, to illustrate your main points and make your video more appealing. Avoid long introductions and get to the point quickly.
Visual Graphics: Incorporate visually appealing graphics, charts, diagrams, and illustrations to convey information in a clear and engaging manner. Use color schemes, icons, and animations to enhance visual interest. Video Editing: Utilize video editing software to create a polished and professional-looking video. This includes adding transitions, overlays, text, and effects to keep the video visually engaging.
Narration is the voice-over that accompanies your video and explains the content and objectives. Narration can help you connect with your audience, clarify complex concepts, and provide guidance and feedback. You can use a conversational and friendly tone, vary your pitch and speed, and use pauses and emphasis to make your narration more engaging. You can also use humor, anecdotes, or examples to make your narration more relatable.
Storytelling: Weave a narrative or storyline throughout the training video. Present real-life examples, case studies, or anecdotes that connect with the audience and make the content more relatable and memorable. Engaging Presenters: Choose presenters or speakers who have good communication skills and are capable of delivering the content in an engaging and enthusiastic manner. A charismatic presenter can captivate the audience and make the training video more enjoyable to watch.
Interactivity is the feature that allows your audience to participate and interact with your video, rather than just watching it passively. Interactivity can increase retention, motivation, and satisfaction. You can add interactivity by using quizzes, polls, surveys, or games to test your audience's knowledge and understanding. You can also use branching scenarios, simulations, or case studies to let your audience make choices and see the consequences. You can also use feedback, rewards, or badges to acknowledge your audience's progress and achievements.
As a teacher trainer ... however good are your visuals and content .. Some staff tend to switch off after sometime . But if ur session is interactive , it keeps all on their toes as for the activity or group discussion they would have to participate . So for me its killing two birds with one stone - train them and kerp their interest piqued
Whether it be small or big groups, interactivity always make every session alive and engaging. Presenters may bring about an interactive activity at the beginning, middle, or end of his presentation so to encourage more participations and ears and eyes to pay attention to the presentation. During the session, online kahoot interactive games as well as actual building and creating activities.
Simulate real-life situations or present case studies where viewers can apply their knowledge to solve problems. And allow viewers to experiment with different solutions and learn from the outcomes. Implement a good feedback mechanism by providing immediate feedback based on viewers’ choices or answers to quizzes. This will reinforce learning and correct misunderstandings.
Segmenting content is the practice of breaking down your video into smaller and manageable chunks of information. Segmenting content can help your audience process and remember the information better, as well as reduce cognitive overload and boredom. You can segment content by using clear and concise headings, transitions, and summaries. You can also use different formats, such as video, text, audio, or images, to present the same information in different ways. You can also use navigation tools, such as menus, buttons, or tabs, to let your audience control the pace and order of the content.
Varied Content Formats: Use a mix of content formats to cater to different learning styles and preferences. Incorporate video clips, animations, screencasts, voice-overs, and text-based information to provide a well-rounded and engaging learning experience. Short Segments: Break down the training video into shorter segments or chapters. This helps prevent information overload and allows viewers to digest the content more easily. It also provides natural stopping points, allowing viewers to take breaks if needed. Engaging Audio: Pay attention to the audio quality of the video. Use clear and crisp audio recordings with appropriate background music or sound effects to create a pleasant listening experience for the audience.
Start with Google Docs to map out your script. For dynamic visuals, Adobe Photoshop your go-to, and Adobe After Effects adds a fun touch with animations. Capture screen action with BandiCam, then jazz it up in Adobe Premiere Pro. Spice it up with H5P for some interactive magic. Host it on YouTube. It's not just for cat videos – the analytics there are gold. And, of course, make sure your content is crystal clear. Throw in some tunes from Epidemic Sound, and don't forget those eye-catching Canva thumbnails. Rev.com and Chat GPT has your back for captions. Keep it mobile-friendly, and always check those viewer stats.
Accessibility is the quality that makes your video accessible and usable by all your audience, regardless of their abilities or preferences. Accessibility can help you reach a wider and more diverse audience, as well as comply with ethical and legal standards. You can consider accessibility by using captions, transcripts, or subtitles for your audio and narration. You can also use audio descriptions, alt text, or labels for your visuals. You can also use contrast, color, font, and size to make your text and graphics easy to read and understand.
Evaluating results is the process of measuring and analyzing the impact and effectiveness of your video on your audience's learning and performance. Evaluating results can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your video, as well as the areas for improvement and enhancement. You can evaluate results by using analytics, such as views, completion rates, or engagement rates, to track your audience's behavior and interaction. You can also use surveys, interviews, or focus groups to collect your audience's feedback and opinions. You can also use assessments, such as pre-tests, post-tests, or performance tests, to measure your audience's learning outcomes and achievements.
AS a University Professor who taught 21 different courses over a 21 yr.period, I found that students were most attentive when I brought in a practioner from the field to present their successful accomplishments. This provides a realistic example engaging students with questions.