6 Video-Based Course Design Elements For Engaging Online Training

6 Video-Based Course Design Elements For Engaging Online Training
Summary: The gap in understanding the right combination of course design elements, which contribute to an engaging online training, offered room for this research. Focusing on video-based instructions, we tested certain video-based course design principals to find out how they affect adult learners’ satisfaction with eLearning.

How To Create Engaging Online Training With 6 Video-Based Course Design Elements

Due to the multiple advantages of eLearning, companies all around the world have been increasingly using online web-based training (WBT) to provide asynchronous learning-on-demand to their employees. However, a low degree of engagement and motivation levels among adult learners still results in multiple dropouts from WBT. Looking at the effective adult learning process in the framework of Constructivism reveals the need for an interactive, creative, motivating, and learner-oriented process where user satisfaction is among the most important factors. Course design and design dimensions are known to have a strong association with adult learners’ satisfaction with online training.

One of the forms of online training, video-based instruction, proved to be a powerful engaging tool, which promotes a constructive and motivating learning environment. However, simply integrating videos into an eLearning system is not sufficient to guarantee the success of a online training. So far there appears to be a gap in research dedicated to the combination of the design principles of interactive video-based instructions, such as audio and visual presentation, use of animation, graphics and elements of humor.

After putting several design elements of a video-based training under scrutiny in the course of our research, here is what we found:

The Video-Based Course Design Elements That Are Essential To Ensure Interactive And Engaging Online Training For Adult Learners

1. The Voice Of The Instructor Builds An Emotional Connection Between The Learner And The Content

Human speech is the most powerful and expressive medium the design has available for use in the instructional messages. The main disadvantage of text-based learning is the lack of audible cues, which is overcome in eLearning. Audio explanation, combined with visual information, creates interaction between the learner and the instructor, and between the learner and the content.

It is, however, important to remember that the same expression said with two different tones can be perceived differently. Therefore, the intonation, the pitch of the instructor’s voice, the speed of speech and the pauses are critical in creating an engaging online training. Whether to involve an instructor with an emotional, energetic and rather loud voice, or with a calmer, soft-spoken voice, will always remain a personal preference. This can be tailored in correlation with the topic and overall style of the online training.

2. Visual Aesthetics, Clear Graphics, And Relevant Text Provide A User-Friendly Environment

Aesthetics and visual design are the key points of any eLearning project. This includes the arrangement of the elements on the screen, colors, background, layout consistency, and text fonts.

Clear image, bright colors, light and clear background, good quality videography/graphics are the key to an engaging video-based eLearning course. By placing the text and graphics next to each other on the screen, indicating clearly where the learner should look, the developers of online training will only increase the learner’s engagement in and satisfaction with a course.

Any graphics, that are unclear, poor, irrelevant or not in line with the audio explanation will hinder the learning experience and lead to the lack of learner’s attention. Also remember: Too much information on the screen will create visual overload and distraction.

3. Animation Creates Mood And Helps Present Abstract Concepts

Animation makes the WBT environment more stimulating. Putting information in images, pictures, and emotions makes video-based courses more enjoyable to watch and enables the delivery of the most complicated technical messages.

It is however important to remember that neither cosmetic application of the animation, nor irrelevant drawings enhance learning. Only instructive animation of a good quality, which serves the purpose of the knowledge acquisition, combined with storytelling, sound or visual cues will create a favorable and engaging eLearning environment.

4. Narrative And Storytelling Form A Clear Image In Learners’ Memory

Learners appreciate the human component of online teaching. Emotionally gripping stories, surprises and real-life scenarios positively affect the learning process and increase the degree of information retention.

It is important to have a clear storyline. The user will be confused and dissatisfied with the course if there is a lack of clear narration, or no introduction, main story line or conclusion.

5. Language: Simple And Friendly

The instructor’s choice of language has a very strong link with the adult’s learners’ satisfaction with online training.  The use of simple, non-scripted everyday language without complicated words or long sentences will create a feeling of being involved in a day-to-day conversation with the user; resulting in a more enjoyable, hence more effective learning experience. The human factor, such as the instructor making small mistakes and laughing about them, can create an atmosphere of trust.

It is important to remember that accents play a very important role in the perception of the language (e.g. British vs. American or Australian English).

6. Elements of Fun And Humor Create Strong Memory Cues

The elements of fun, humor, and fantasy in the science of eLearning are a relatively new idea in the overall movement towards a more engaging and more creative eLearning environment. Imagination and fun increase information retention and correspond to how the human memory system operates, for both children and adults. Humorous visual materials and jokes in the instructor’s narration, comfort the learners, making the learning process easier and more enjoyable.

While the presented course design elements appear to affect learners’ enjoyment with WBT, the interdependence of these elements is of no less importance. Moreover, adult learners have unique learning patterns, established values, opinions and taste. This brings the focus forward to the need for customized web-base training, which remains a strong advantage of eLearning as an educational system. Creating tailor-made video-based courses would address a variety of learners’ personal preferences and result in a more effective and engaging learning outcome.