Interactive content with video branching
Keeping remote learners engaged could be difficult for training and enablement professionals. The endless training videos interrupted with pings and messages from the always-on digital workplace could make it difficult for any person to remain focused.
In addition to the constant digital distraction at work, creating a successful onboarding and training program isn't an easy task. Recent Gallup study found only 12% of employees believe their organization is doing a good job of integrating new hires.
The first question is what exactly is video branching?
A branching video is a kind of video that is interactive, meaning the viewers' involvement directly influences the outcome of the storyline.
Video clips that branch give viewers the unique opportunity to participate in the story by engaging in the story. It is possible to ask questions of viewers with dedicated decision points. Based on their response or action, the viewer is directed to a different section of the video. It is crucial to create a a compelling workflow of potential narratives and let your viewers decide on their preferred learning route.
Two scenarios for video branching
Video branching can be a powerful instrument for creating customized learning experiences and onboarding. Two of the most effective uses scenarios where enablement and training teams can benefit from interactive learning:
Custom learning paths
The traditional video for learning can lead viewers on the steps of a linear education. A typical employee onboarding program may walk new employees through the company's the company's culture, its products or services, different departments and leaders, and the various tasks and duties. Content could be distributed via a single video, or a several videos which amount to hours of content to wade through.
With video branching, training and enablement teams can divide the content into pieces that are clickable, enabling new employees to get into areas of the job that are most relevant to them all in a single video.
Simulation-based learning
Learning on the job is only successful if employees know how to apply their knowledge. This is why training using scenarios can be effective and a fun way to teach employees.
Video branching offers groups of trainers and facilitators the opportunity to create compelling stories, present different scenarios, and dramatize scenarios that employees could encounter in the workplace.
Below is an example from Radisson Hotel Group that shows how video branching can provide the ideal scenario-based learning experience for hotel staff.
Making a simpler branching structure
When mapping out the structure of your branching in your very first video that you've created It is best to make it easier for the experience for your viewer. For example, if you created a decision point that has three possible outcomes following two additional decisions, you'd already have 27 different outcomes to account for in the video.
Instead, try using the master loop, where one story unfolds. If your student chooses a wrong outcome at a decision point then the situation plays before they go back to the decision point in order to pick the other option. When they have chosen the right option, the narrative goes on. Master loops are excellent for scenario-based training and video tests.
For other branching use cases, take the time to storyboard what content you want your viewer to see. You can create flowcharts and decision trees that show your video experience in each step.
Four tips to be prepared for the shoot of a branching video
A successful video branching experience begins with the video content you have. Video branching blends different clips in order to create an interactive narrative for viewers. Due to this, it is crucial to plan out your shots and editing before layering on your branching components.
Before you plan your film and script, think about these four guidelines:
- Map out your viewer user journeys before shooting. You can use a user flow diagram or tools like twine to help.
- Photograph all outcomes that could occur and images. Make sure you let the camera roll for longer than usually will.
- Consider what happens on the screen when the viewer has to make a choice.
- You should think about how you will move from the decision screen to the user choices. Consider what the transition might be in.
Building a branching video with
While branching videos require some effort upfront by planning, shooting and editing, the results will quadruple the efforts of your viewers. Below, we've outlined the steps to create the storyline of your branching by using .
Combine all of your ideas on one time line
To start, you'll want to save your video files into a single file. Make sure you make sure that they are edited as one large video file (one immediately after the other) rather than separating them into different parts.
Create a decision point
Add hotspots to your video. You can use the 'jump to time in video' function for your viewer to go to an exact point in the video or to view the outcome of a particular decision.
Add playback segments
To prevent viewers from being able move around the video and avoid decisions, you could create playback segments. Playback segments let creators split videos in parts to ensure that viewers are able to be able to scrub through the segments. This is an important feature for creating video that is branching because it helps enforce your branching structure and prevents viewers from evading the structure of branching.
Below is an example of training EMS video that includes playback segments.
Choose between a pause or loop
It is crucial to determine which stage of the decision.
You could, for instance, decide to set an pause with an event timer that can stop the film from running until a selection has been reached.
You could also think about the possibility of creating a looping segment of content with your hotspot. It is possible to use an event trigger that allows you to move to a time in the video, and then create a loop.
In making your decision take into consideration if the video has shot specific content to help the viewer make a choice (like instructions that inform viewers what's in the video) as well as how you'd like the viewer to respond in order to decide.
Make sure you are prepared for your transitions
Once your viewer makes a choice and a decision at some point, it's important to understand what transition the video is going to make.
You may prefer to make an uninterrupted continuation of the video or you may want think about different effects for mask changes in the scene.