Energize your training material with video branching
Engaging learners from remote locations could be difficult for training and enablement professionals. The endless training videos interrupted by messages and pings from the always-on digital workplace could make it difficult for anybody to keep their attention.
On top of the digital distracting factor at work, establishing an effective training and onboarding program isn't easy. A recent Gallup survey found only 12% of employees feel their workplace does a great job onboarding new hires.
First, what is the purpose of video branching?
A branching video is a kind of video that is interactive, meaning the viewers' involvement directly influences the course of the story.
Branching videos allow viewers the unique opportunity to engage in the content by engaging in the story. The viewer can pose questions to viewers who have designated decision points. Based on their response or response, the viewer will be directed to a different section of the video. It is crucial to create a an engaging workflow with potential storylines and let your employees choose their own learning path.
Two scenarios for video branching
Video branching is an excellent instrument for creating custom learning and onboarding experiences. There are two great use situations where learning and enablement teams can benefit from interactive learning:
Individualized learning pathways
The traditional video for learning can lead viewers on an linear path to learning. In the case of a typical employee onboarding program may walk new employees through the company's culture, company product or services, the various departments and leaders, and different roles and responsibilities. Content could be distributed as a single or series of videos that equal hours of content to wade through.
By using video branching, the training and enablement teams can break the video into segments that can be clicked, allowing new hires to jump into key areas that are the most pertinent to their needs in a single video.
Simulation-based learning
Learning on the job is only successful if employees know how to apply their knowledge. So, scenario-based training could be a powerful and engaging approach to train employees.
Video branching provides training and enablement teams the possibility of creating captivating stories, show diverse scenarios and show outcomes that employees may confront on the job.
Here is an example provided by Radisson Hotel Group that shows the way video branching could provide the ideal scenario-based learning experience for hotel staff.
A simplified branching structure can be created.
In determining the branches structure you'll need in your very first video that you've created you should try to streamline the experience for your viewer. For example, if you created a decision point with three different outcomes, following two additional choices, you'd already have 27 outcomes to account for in your video.
Instead, try using master loops in which a single story plays out. When the student selects the wrong option when they reach a decision-making point the story plays until they are back at the decision point in order to pick an alternative outcome. When they have chosen the right outcome, the storyline is repeated. Master loops are excellent for scenario-based training and video quizzes.
If you are considering other branches for your use make sure you create a storyboard of the content you wish viewers to view. It is possible to create flowcharts or decision trees to show your video experience in each step.
Four things to prepare for the shoot of a branching video
Building an effective video branching experience begins with your video content. Video branching blends different clips into an engaging story for the viewer. Due to this, it's crucial to think carefully out your shots and editing before layering in your video branches.
When planning your next shoot or script, take a look at these guidelines:
- Map out your viewer user journeys before shooting. It is possible to use a flow diagram, or other tools such as twine to assist.
- Take pictures of all possibilities for outcomes and scenes. Be sure to let the camera run longer than you typically would.
- Consider what happens on the screen when the viewer must make a decision.
- Think about how you would like to switch from the screen of decision to the user choices. Think about how that would look in.
Making a video that branches with
Although branching video require some effort upfront by planning, shooting and editing, the final product can quadruple your efforts for your viewers. In this article, we'll show you how to build out your branching storyline with .
Bring all your choices to one time line
In the beginning, you'll need to save your video files to on a single video file. You must modify them all together to create an entire video file (one one right after another) instead of separating them into separate segments.
Create a decision point
Make hotspots available to your video and use the 'jump to timing in the video' action for your viewer to go to a particular point within the video, or to see the results of a specific option.
Add playback segments
To stop viewers from having to skim through videos or bypass decisions, you could make playback segments. Playback segments let creators split videos in parts to ensure that viewers are able to scrub within that segment. This is a crucial feature in creating videos with branching, as it enforces the branching structure, and also prevents viewers from taking advantage of your branching structure.
Below is an example of training EMS video that includes playback segments.
Select between a pause, or loop
It's crucial to know the next decision point.
You could, for instance, make an pause with an event timer that stops the film from running until a choice is taken.
Consider making a looping portion of content by using your hotspot. It is possible to use an event trigger that allows you to move into the video and make a loop.
When making a decision, consider if your video contains specific information as a decision-making point (like signals that show viewers what's on screen) and the way you would like the viewer to respond to make a decision.
Build your Transitions
Once your viewer makes a choice and a decision point, you'll want to understand what transition the video will make.
You may prefer to make a seamless continuation of the video or you may want to consider different effects to alter the mask in the video.