While there are various ways of consuming online content, video-based learning has proved to be the most effective in driving learner engagement. eLearning videos are now forming a critical part of many eLearning courses. To an extent, they threaten the traditional learning system—but for a good reason.
However, ELearning and instructional designers must exercise extra care when creating videos. The videos should offer learners convenience and the freedom to learn from anywhere. They should also be easy to scroll or pause and repeatedly forward to fully understand the content.
Video-based learning has simplified the teaching/learning process regarding accessibility and comprehension of various subjects. However, creating powerful and effective videos is a pretty demanding process. Yet, it’s what is required of ELearning designers.
Let’s take a deeper dive into how you can include various elements to create effective and captivating ELearning videos for your courses:
Tip #1 Branching storylines
Branching storylines are an effective element of interactive ELearning videos critical for the learning process. eLearning designers include branching storylines in videos to present learners with alternatives and choices of how they wish to proceed.
Depending on the learner’s choice, they create a unique perspective, and learners learn various experiences independently. The behavioral and contextual clues enhance learners’ behavioral analysis and skills training.
Using branching storylines, instructional designers captivate and engage the learners easily as they personalize their own experiences. The “Pharmaceutical Marketing” with James Earl Jones is a great example of a video with branching storylines. Skip right into it to learn more.
Best practices developing effective eLearning videos with branching storylines
- Reserve room for interactions: Half of the screen should display the subject matter, while the other half should be left for interactions such as clicks. Learners will have room to air their views and other forms of interaction.
- Encourage learners to make interactions: From the beginning of the video on “Pharmaceutical Marketing,” James Earl Jones tells learners to click on a topic. Learners should be encouraged to choose or skip to interesting sections and relevant ones, making the videos more interactive.
- Minimize distractions: Distractions will hurt your subject’s delivery. Ensure your shoot is simple to promote more learner interaction, which will help maintain the conversation.
Tip #2 Embedding other tools
Embedding various tools to your ELearning videos is an effective way of driving learner interaction. However, you must ensure that the features function properly in your video hosting platform. To get this right, you must choose a video platform to add your preferred features. YouTube, for instance, may not fully support learner interactivity.
If you find an excellent final export destination, you’ll create huge value for your eLearning video. A great example is TechSmith Camtasia which offers flexible options to create interactive eLearning videos that most platforms support including:
- Hosting ELearning videos on web servers using TechSmith Smart Player
- Uploading videos to screencast.com or Knowmia Pro.
- Exporting interactive videos in SCORM file formats and uploading them to the Learning Management Systems (LMS).
Tip # 3 Questions and Quizzes
Questions and quizzes are critical elements to include in your ELearning videos. They help grab the learners’ attention and keep them engaged throughout the learning process. However, you should know how to place the quizzes in your content to enhance effectiveness.
Questions often invite students’ responses, and you can provide instant feedback in the videos.
Spreading short quizzes throughout the video ensures learners pay attention to avoid missing out.
Plus, you can see how learners answer questions and check their comprehension levels on various concepts.
Tip # 4 Popup Text
Video-based learning is the most effective way to capture learners’ attention and engage them easily. If you want to go the extra mile to create a more interactive video, you can add pop-up texts. Articulate Storyline 2 will help you incorporate pop-up text into your ELearning videos to make them more interactive. Popup text provides additional facts and information about the subject in question.
Conclusion
Video-based learning is a new and effective way of learning these days. To an extent, it threatens the existence of the traditional learning system. However, as ELearning designers strive to create eLearning videos, they must follow the best practices. Doing so will help them grab the learners’ attention and drive engagement and interactivity.
In this article, we’ve highlighted the best practices ELearning designers must incorporate to create effective eLearning videos that improve learners’ experiences.
Want to learn more about video in eLearning or about Instructional Design for eLearning in general? Join my Instructional Design for eLearning program!
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