If you were handed the option for more control over a situation, would you take it? Most people would. And that describes the power of interactive video. How can we describe interactive video-based learning? It’s about leaning forward and participating versus leaning back and watching. It’s about pausing and introducing learner interactions, or requiring learners to make decisions and witness the results of their decisions. Interactive video is about creating personalized learning experiences that keep learners engaged and connected to the content, all the way to the end, because with each choice they make, they are becoming more and more invested.
Interactive Video Formats
The forms interactive video can take are limitless. From clickable menus, to periodic check-ins, to choices, consequences and more, you’re capturing the learner’s attention, and getting them to care about the decisions they’re making! A common theme is that interactive video helps to create that “buy-in” user experience, where participation is a must or else the video won’t proceed.
Top formats include:
- Hotspots: clickable areas within a video; these buttons can take a viewer to a separate web page or reveal content directly within the video, like merchandise pricing
- 360 views: the ability for a user to drag the screen within a video frame to see in all direction.
- Branches: different paths a user can take to control and customise the content they see.
- Data inputs: form fields through which a user can enter information like their name, age, etc.
- Quizzes: combining buttons and branching to deliver an assessment and reveal a personalised result at the end of the video
Benefits & Results
Marketers have been using interactive video to tailor content for different audiences and they’re seeing higher engagement, longer dwell times and better returns on investment. Compared to non-interactive video that can suffer high viewing drop-off rates in the first few minutes, marketers are seeing completion rates of 90 percent and above. And they’re seeing multiple views per unique visitor and repeat views for the same video. Why? Because viewers often like to explore all the branches in an interactive video, just to see the results if they made a different choice.
Imagine having learners engage with your content at that level! In the training world, a well-structured course can encourage learners to continue their learning experience (through downloads, follow-up activities, and targeted recommendations.)
Still not convinced? Let’s talk data. Imagine having insight into how learners respond to different types of interactions? A well-designed course can ensure every choice is tracked and logged back to an LMS and Training Managers can use this data to identify the areas which need improvement and where learners may be struggling to apply concepts. Here are 5 more benefits to interactive video-based learning from elearningindustry.com
- You can use interactive video-based learning as short, bite-sized nuggets. Learners can consume this on the go, on the device of their choice.
- With interactive video-based learning, you need to be concerned about the run length of the video. You can focus on the learning outcome and use the rich range of learning interactions to meet the learning mandate.
- Similar to eLearning courses, you can add intermittent checkpoints or end of video assessments.
- You can offer branching options (at certain decision points, learners make choices that take them through unique pathways). This approach creates a highly sticky learning experience plus it enables you to move the cognition level to the application (from recall or understand).
- Similar to other eLearning courses, you can track the learners’ progress as the interactive videos support both SCORM and Tin Can.
More on Interactive Video-Based Learning
Passive is out, experiential and participatory are in. By adding choices and interactivity to your videos, you invite your learners to lean forward and participate. The act of participation deepens engagement, enhances learning, and accelerates behavior change. It also generates data. With every click of a button, you gain useful insights about your learners.
Lasting learning happens when people are engaged in experiences which shift mental and behavior models. Interactive video is an exciting, evolving format that can connect directly with learners on an emotional level, and engage them in their own growth and development.
If you were handed the option for more control over a situation, would you take it? Most training managers would.
Listen to Jackie Zahn, learning consultant for CARA, discuss how making your videos interactive will make your learning and customer engagement soar. And to learn more about CARA’s Learning and Development solutions, please get it touch.
