Instructional Designer Offers 7 Tips For Course Videos To Engage And Motivate

How To Create eLearning Videos That Engage, Inspire, And Motivate Online Learners

Videos are a great way to get your learners involved in the online training experience. They combine visuals with morale-boosting music and demos that demystify the process. The result is an engaging learning tool that offers just the right amount of entertainment. You don't need to know the entire instructional design process. Here are 7 tips to create top notch eLearning videos to motivate online learners and give them the support they need. Perfect for you to utilize at The Tourism Academy.

1. Add A Soundtrack

Music evokes emotion, and emotions make the online training experience more memorable. They also help online learners get into the right frame of mind. For example, they may have been feeling stressed before they hit the "play" button. But all of that goes by the wayside when the soundtrack starts. They know that they can relax and focus on the task, which allows them to get the full benefit of your video content. There are a variety of royalty free music sites where you can find free or affordable tracks. Just make sure that you verify the usage rights to avoid copyright infringements.

RELATED: Custom Course Development by The Tourism Academy

2. Use Emotionally-Compelling Images

Instructional materials... Aside from auditory elements, our brains also react strongly to images. Photos grab our attention and convey a certain tone or mood. For example, an image of a sun-drenched beach with palm trees and gentle waves may uplift your online learners, while a photo of traffic or piles of paperwork on a desk has the opposite effect. As a result, the images you choose must align with the desired outcome. For instance, the behaviors you want to encourage or the emotional atmosphere you need to create. If you don't have any media on-hand, rely on paid photo sites that offer high res images and video clips or try Canva.com.

3. Introduce Memorable Characters

Characters add a human element to your course videos. They have personalities of their own that online learners can relate to. Ideally, each character should resonate with your audience and connect with them on a deeper level. Avoid clichéd or static characters, and develop backstories to make them more dynamic. In the case of sales or customer service online training, you might consider personas. These are character profiles that mimic real world customers. For instance, the age and personality traits of the customer, as well as their buying "pain points."

4. Demonstrate Every Step Of The Process

Confusion and frustration have the power to drain motivation and inspiration from your audience. When they don't understand how something works and cannot find the resources to help, they are likely to disengage. Fortunately, you can prevent this by demonstrating each step of the task and simplifying complex topics. Use images, walkthroughs, and screen recordings to provide a visual representation. Then online learners have the ability to mimic these actions in the real world. Demos also allow learners to identify areas for improvement or skill gaps. For instance, they may be performing the task incorrectly, but the eLearning video helps them see what they are doing wrong and how they can remedy the problem.

5. Incorporate Tips, Tricks, And Links

Sometimes all your online learners need is a helping hand. Or an insider tip to make their life easier. For this reason, you should include advice or guidance every now and then. This may be in the form of pop-up windows, narrator side notes, or an online FAQ. You can even incorporate links to external online resources, such as articles and simulations. The goal is to make your online learners feel like they're part of a larger community. They know that they have constant access to online support, even if they are geographically dispersed. Social media groups, online forums, and blogs are also ideal for this purpose, as online learners can benefit from the wisdom and insights of their peers.

6. Make It Short And Simple

Information is best in small doses, which is why your eLearning video should be short, sweet, and targeted. Online learners need to know how to solve the problem, take care of the task, or build an essential skill. As such, your video must give them the key takeaways and steer clear of the extraneous. It's best to explore every aspect of the sub-topic instead of trying to cover the entire curriculum. For example, online learners have to know how to perform a task. Your eLearning video should explore each step and highlight all of the tools involved. However, online learners don't need to know about related tasks and skills at this point. They can always access other eLearning videos when the time comes.

7. Create A Relatable Storyline

Stories provide structure. Your plot line introduces the characters, the problem they are facing, and how they overcome that challenge. It's the traditional arc. Stories also serve another purpose. They help learners tie the subject matter to real world applications and emphasize the benefits. For instance, how they can use the information in the workplace to improve their proficiency. It's wise to start with a storyboard and map out every scene with your Subject Matter Expert. They can tell you what to focus on and which elements to include. You might also consider a detailed script. In addition, research your audience to learn as much as you can about their preferences, background, and expectations. This allows you to create a story that is personalized to suit their needs.

These 7 tips give you the opportunity to engage, inspire, and motivate your online learners, regardless of your video production experience. Just remember that the key is connecting with them on an emotional level and offering them the support they require. Encourage them to interact with the content and actively participate in the process. Last, but not least, frame it with a story and images to hold their attention.

Use tools like mysimpleshow to make the perfect video based on your script or your uploaded Power Point, illustrate your story with images that stay in mind, preview and publish; 4 simple steps to enter the amazing world of video-making.

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