Energize your training content with video branching
Keeping remote learners engaged is a major challenge for training and enablement professionals. The endless training videos interrupted by messages and pings from the always-on digital workplace makes it challenging for anyone to stay focused.
On top of the digital interruptions at work, designing the right training and onboarding plan isn't an easy task. A recent Gallup survey found just 12% of employees believe their organization has a successful time onboarding new employees.
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 plot of the video.
The branching video format gives viewers the unique opportunity to be involved via interactive storytelling. It is possible to ask questions of viewers with dedicated decisions points. In response to the action, the viewer is sent to another part of the video. The trick is to construct the most compelling flow of possible storylines and let your employees determine their own path to learning.
Two scenarios for video branching
Video branching can be a powerful method to create customized learning experiences and onboarding. There are two great use situations where learning and enablement teams can leverage interactive:
Custom learning paths
A traditional learning video may take viewers through an linear path to learning. In the case of a typical employee onboarding program may walk new hires through the company corporate culture, the product or service, various leadership and departments, and various duties and roles. The content may be shared in a single video or several videos which amount to hours of content to wade through.
By using video branching, the team members in training and enablement can divide the content into clickable segments, allowing new employees to get into key areas that are the most pertinent to their needs within a single video.
Training based on scenarios
Learning on the job is only efficient when workers know how to apply their knowledge. That's why scenario-based training can be a powerful and engaging way to teach employees.
Video branching provides team members in training and enablement the ability to build out captivating stories, show diverse scenarios and show outcomes that employees may encounter at work.
Below is an example from Radisson Hotel Group that shows how video branching can create the perfect scenario-based training experience for hotel staff.
A simplified branching structure can be created.
If you are planning the branches structure you'll need to create your initial interactive video It is best to make it easier for your viewers experience. If, for instance, you had a decision point that has three possible outcomes following two additional decision points, you would already have 27 different results to consider in the video.
Try master loops in which one story unfolds. When your learner chooses the wrong option when they reach a decision-making point, the scenario plays out until they are back at the decision point to choose an alternative outcome. Once they choose the correct outcome, the storyline continues. Master loops work well for video-based instruction and tests.
To find other scenarios for branching, take the time to storyboard what content you want your viewers to experience. Create flowcharts as well as decision trees to show the experience of watching video at every stage.
Four things to prepare for a branching video shoot
The process of creating a successful video branching experience begins with your video content. Branching videos combine different video clips to make an interactive narrative for viewers. This is why it's important to carefully plan your footage and then edit before layering in your video branching components.
So before planning your shoot and script, consider these guidelines:
- Map out your viewer user journeys before shooting. It is possible to use a flow diagram or tools like twine to help.
- Take pictures of all possibilities for outcomes and scenes. Make sure you let the camera run longer than you typically would.
- Think about what is happening on screen when a viewer must make a decision.
- Think about how you would like to transition from the decision screen towards the choices of the user. Also think through what that will appear in.
Making a video that branches with
Although branching video require a bit of work upfront with planning, shooting, and editing, the results could quadruple the effort for your viewers. Here's a guideline on how to build out your branching storyline with .
Combine all of your ideas on one calendar
To start, you'll want to transfer your video content in a single file. You must modify them all together to create an entire video file (one immediately after the other) rather than different segments.
Create a decision point
Make hotspots available to your video and utilize the 'jump timing in the video' feature to take your viewer to an exact point in the video or view the outcome of a particular option.
Add playback segments
To stop viewers from being able skim through videos or bypass decision points, you can make playback segments. Playback segments enable creators to divide videos into segments to ensure that viewers are able to be able to scrub through the segments. This is an important feature in creating videos with branching, since it enforces your branching structure and prevents viewers from taking advantage of the branching structure.
Below is an example a training EMS video that includes playback segments.
Choose between a pause or loop
It is crucial to determine the next decision point.
For example, you might choose to create the pause by using an event timer that stops the film from running until a selection has been taken.
Or, you may consider creating a looping section of your content using your hotspot. You can use a time trigger to jump into the video, and then create loops.
In making your decision take into consideration if the video is filmed with specific content as a decision-making point (like prompts that tell viewers what's in the video) and how you want viewers to engage with you and make a choice.
Build your transitions
When your viewers make the decision and makes a point, you'll want to know what kind of transition your video is going to make.
You may prefer to make a seamless continuation of the video or you may want think about different effects for change the appearance of the mask.