Invigorate your training videos by branching them into video
Engaging remote learners is a major challenge for professionals in training and enablement. A long amount of instructional videos interspersed by pings, messages and messages from the always-on digital workplace could make it difficult for anybody to keep their attention.
In addition to the constant digital interruptions at work, designing the right training and onboarding plan isn't simple. Recent Gallup research found that only 12% of employees believe their organization has a successful time onboarding new hires.
In the beginning, what is the purpose of video branching?
Branching video is a type of interactive video where the viewers' involvement directly influences the plot of the video.
The branching video format gives viewers an opportunity to be involved by engaging in the story. The viewer can pose questions to viewers using a set of decision points. In response to the response, the viewer will be taken to the next portion of the video. The trick is to construct a compelling workflow of potential storylines and let your employees choose their own learning path.
Two possible scenarios to use video branching
Video branching can be a powerful tool for building custom learning and onboarding experiences. There are two great use situations where learning and enablement teams could benefit from interactive:
Learning paths that are custom-designed for you
The traditional video for learning can take viewers through a linear learning pathway. In the case of a typical employee onboarding course could take new hires through the company culture, company product or services, the various leadership and departments, and various tasks and duties. Content could be distributed via a single video, or a sequence of videos, which equals many hours of information to go through.
Through video branching, trainers and teams for enablement and training can divide the content into segments that can be clicked, allowing new employees to get into areas of the job that are the most pertinent to their needs within a single video.
Training based on scenarios
Training on the job is only effective when employees understand how to apply their knowledge. This is why training using scenarios can be an effective and enjoyable way to teach employees.
Video branching provides groups of trainers and facilitators the possibility of creating engaging storylines, showcase diverse scenarios and show scenarios that employees could encounter on the job.
Here is an example provided by Radisson Hotel Group that shows how video branching is able to provide the ideal scenario-based learning experience for hotel workers.
Creating a simplified branching structure
When mapping out the structure of your branching for your first video that you've created you should try to streamline the user experience. As an example, if you made a decision with three different outcomes, following two additional choices, you'd already have 27 different possibilities to incorporate into the video.
You can also try master loops in which a single story plays out. When the student selects a wrong outcome when they reach a decision-making point then the situation plays until they are back at the decision point in order to pick an alternative outcome. Once they choose the correct result, the story goes on. Master loops are great for video-based instruction and tests.
To find other scenarios for branching Take the time to create a storyboard of the content you wish your viewer to see. Create flowcharts as well as decision trees that show the experience of watching video at every stage.
Four tips to be prepared for the shoot of a branching video
The process of creating a successful video branching experience begins with the video content you have. Videos that branch combine multiple video clips in order to create an interactive story for the viewer. This is why it's important to carefully plan out your shots and editing before layering on your branches.
When planning your next shoot or script, take a look at these four suggestions:
- Map out your viewer user journeys before shooting. It is possible to use a 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.
- Imagine what's happening in the screen while a user is forced to choose.
- You should think about how you will switch from the screen of decision and then to user options. Think about how that might look like.
A branching video can be created using
When branching videos take some work in the beginning with planning, shooting, as well as editing the end result can quadruple your efforts for your viewers. Below, we've outlined the best ways to develop your branching storyline using .
Bring all your choices to one calendar
For the first time, you'll need to upload your video assets in a single file. Be sure to make sure that they are edited as one long video file (one right after the other) instead of separating them into separate segments.
Create a decision point
Add hotspots to your video and use the 'jump to time in video' feature to bring your viewers to an exact point in the video or to view the results of a specific option.
Add playback segments
In order to stop viewers from being able move around the video and avoid the decision-making points, it is possible to create playback segments. Playback segments enable creators to divide videos into segments so that viewers can only be able to scrub through the segments. This is a crucial feature for creating video that is branching since it enforces your branching structure and prevents viewers from evading the structure of branching.
Below is an example a training EMS video with playback sections.
You can choose between a pause and a loop
It's crucial to know the next moment of decision.
As an example, you could decide to set an pause with a time trigger, which can stop the video from playing until a decision has been made.
Consider the possibility of creating a looping segment of your content using your hotspot. Use the timer to go into a specific time within the video to make loops.
In making your decision take into consideration if the video has shot specific content as a decision-making point (like prompts that tell viewers what's on screen) and the way you would like the viewer to respond to make a decision.
Create your Transitions
Once your viewer makes an option and decides on a point, you'll want to understand what transition the video will make.
There is a possibility of creating continuous footage of your video, or to look at different effects that could mask changes in the scene.