Engaging material with video branching

Engaging learners from remote locations is a major challenge for professionals in training and enablement. A long amount of instructional videos interspersed by messages and pings in the ever-present digital world makes it challenging for any person to remain focused.

On top of the digital interruptions at work, designing the right onboarding and training program isn't simple. A recent Gallup research found that just 12% of employees think their company is doing a good job of integrating new hires.

The first question is what exactly does video branching mean?

Branching video is a type of interactivity video in which viewers' participation directly affects the plot of the video.

Branching videos allow viewers an 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 decision, the user is taken to the next part in the film. The key is to build the most compelling flow of possible stories and allow your staff to determine their own path to learning.

Two use cases for video branching

Video branching can be a powerful method to create customized learning experiences and onboarding. Two of the most effective uses situations where learning and enablement teams can benefit from interactive learning:

Custom learning paths

A traditional learning video may guide viewers along a linear learning pathway. A typical employee orientation program could guide new hires through the company the company's culture, its products or service, various departments and leaders, and different duties and roles. Content could be distributed as a single or sequence of videos, which equals an hour of material to go through.

By using video branching, the team members in training and enablement are able to divide their content into clickable segments, allowing new hires to jump into the areas most relevant to them all in a single video.

Training based on scenarios

The process of learning on the job only successful if employees know the best way to use their knowledge. This is why training using scenarios can be an effective and enjoyable method of teaching employees.
Video branching gives groups of trainers and facilitators the opportunity to create engaging storylines, showcase different scenarios, and dramatize the outcomes employees might face on the job.

Below is an example from Radisson Hotel Group that shows how video branching is able to create the perfect scenario-based training experience for hotel staff.

Creating a simplified branching structure

When mapping out the structure of your branching to create your initial interactive video, it's best to simplify your viewers experience. For example, if you created a decision point with three different outcomes, following two additional decision points, you would already have 27 different outcomes to account for in your video.

Instead, try using a master loop where the story is played out in a single sequence. If your student chooses the wrong option in a point of decision the story plays, and they return to the decision point in order to pick another outcome. When they have chosen the right result, the story goes on. Master loops are great to use for training based on scenarios and videos quizzes.

To find other scenarios for branching, take the time to create a storyboard of the content you wish your viewers to experience. Create flowcharts as well as decision trees to show the experience of watching video at every stage.

Four tips to be prepared for an upcoming branching video shoot

Building an effective video branching experience begins with the video content you have. Video branching blends different clips into an engaging story for the viewer. Because of this, it's important to carefully plan the sequence of your videos and edit before layering on your branches.

When planning your next film and script, think about these 4 guidelines:

1. Map out your viewer user journeys before shooting. It is possible to use a flow diagram, or other tools such as twine to assist.
2. Take pictures of all possibilities for outcomes and images. Be sure to let the camera roll for longer than normally would.
3. Think about what is happening on screen when a viewer must make a decision.
4. Think about how you would like to switch from the screen of decision to the user choices. Also think through what that might be like.

A branching video can be created using

When branching videos take a bit of work upfront by planning, shooting or editing them, the end result could quadruple the effort for your viewers. Here's a guideline on how to build out your storyline that branches with .

Combine all of your ideas on one calendar

For the first time, you'll need to save your video files to on a single video file. Be sure to make sure that they are edited as one long video file (one one right after another) rather than separating them into different parts.

Create a decision point

Make hotspots available to your video. You can use the 'jump to timing in the video' function to bring your viewers to an exact point in the video or view the result of a certain decision.

Add playback segments

To prevent viewers from having to skim through videos or bypass the decision-making points, it is possible to make playback segments. Playback segments allow creators to break up videos into parts so that viewers can only move within the segment. This is an important feature for creating video that is branching since it enforces the structure of your branches and stops viewers from cheating the structure of branching.

Below is an example of an instructional EMS video with playback sections.

You can choose between a pause and a loop

It's important to decide what will happen at each decision point.

For example, you might choose to create a pause point with the use of a timer, which can stop the video from playing until a decision is taken.

You could also think about the possibility of creating a looping segment of content by using your hotspot. You can use an event trigger that allows you to move into the video, and then create loops.

Before making a choice take into consideration if the video contains specific information to help the viewer make a choice (like prompts that tell the viewer what's happening on screen) as well as how you'd like viewers to engage with you and make a choice.

Build your shifts

After your viewer has made the decision and makes a point, you'll want to understand what transition the video will make.

There is a possibility of creating a seamless continuation of the video or you may want think about different effects for alter the mask in the video.