How To Choose The Right Kind Of Video For Your Employee Training

Video-based learning has become an important part of corporate training delivery today. In this article, I share pointers that will help you identify what training videos would work best for your employees.

Choosing The Right Kind Of Video For Your Employee Training

Using videos for training employees has been around for a while. Of late, there is an acceleration in their usage. This is on account of the wider adoption of mobile learning and microlearning as they both leverage extensively on video-based learning.

Video is an immensely high-impact medium and when used as training videos for employees, they offer:

• High engagement quotient
• Sticky learning experience leading to higher retention and recall

The value of using training videos for employees lies in their ability to offer:

• Formal training which can be consumed “on the go”
• Instant job aids that are within the learners’ workflow and can be accessed at the moment of their need
• Informal learning
• Social learning

How Can You Use Training Videos For Your Employees?

You can use training videos for employees to supplement your corporate trainings and step up their impact. Some of the key trainings that can leverage on videos for employee training include:

1. Induction and onboarding
2. Soft skills training
3. Product training
4. Sales training
5. Application simulations training
6. Compliance training

The flexibility of training videos enables you to use them for:

1. Formal training (online)
2. Support Instructor-Led Training (ILT) or Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT)
3. Performance Support (learning aids/job aids to support formal training)
4. Social learning

This is not all. The true power of videos for employee training lies in their ability to contribute beyond learning or performance support intervention. They can contribute to other levels of the learning and performance ecosystem, notably to:

1. Create a buzz or awareness (before the launch of the training program)
2. Support crucial change management initiatives
3. Continue the connect with the learners (post the training program)

Are There Any Drawbacks Or Limitations That You Should Be Aware Of As You Opt For Training Videos For Employees?

As I see it, there are a couple of aspects that you should note:

From The Development-And-Cost Perspective

The cost of video-based learning for formal training or as Performance Support is higher as compared to traditional eLearning development. You also need to be aware that any updates or enhancements do entail significant costs and lead time.

From The Learning-Impact Perspective

Even though video-based learning offers an immersive learning experience, the video does have an intrinsic limitation of “passivity”. It allows learners only to start/stop or pause.

This can impede the learning impact when you have long run length videos.

Additionally, you cannot track the learners’ progress as they go through videos for training.

What Kind Of Video Formats Can You Opt For In Order To Create Training Videos For Your Employees?

You have wide-ranging options that you can offer as training videos for your employees:

1. Teaser videos
2. Context-setting videos
3. Explainer videos
4. Scenario-based videos
5. Story-based videos
6. Complex decision-making branching simulation based videos

Are There Other Interesting Approaches That Can Enhance The Impact Of Training Videos For Employee Training?

Here are 3 interesting options that you should certainly consider:

1. Interactive videos
This is a Next Gen approach that creates highly interactive and immersive video-based learning solutions. It includes:

• Learning interactions that are similar to traditional eLearning (Hot spots, Click and Reveal and so on)
• Quizzes and assessments
• Learning paths that branch to different tracks based on learners’ choices
• Gamification elements
• Unlike traditional videos, interactive videos allow you to track learner performance, and they also offer SCORM output

2. Microlearning videos
These short, focused, bite-sized videos use rapid development approaches. They are particularly useful as a social learning tool. They are designed to be available within the learners’ workflow so that they can access the relevant bite exactly at the time of their need.

3. 360-degree videos for VR and AR
These can take your user engagement and stickiness of learning to an all high level.

What Kind Of Training Videos Would Resonate With Your Employees?

Modern learners face challenges of distractions and multi-tasking, and they certainly do not want to carve out a block of time for training. They want the training to be flexible, short, focused, and available on the go. So, as you opt for videos for your employee training, match it with their lifestyle and accordingly, craft the learning journey.

Here is a list of my top 5 strategies you should adopt as you offer training videos for your employees:

1. Create the buzz or awareness and establish WIIFM (What Is In It For Me)
2. Set context or teach concepts
3. Offer learning followed by practice, application, and summaries
4. Checkpoint learners’ progress and understanding
5. Reinforce and keep the “Forgetting Curve” at bay

What Would Be The Impact Of Using Training Videos For Your Employees?

You would see:

• Higher engagement
• Better completion rates
• Better retention and recall
• Better performance support leading to better application of the acquired learning
• Increased focus on informal learning
• Higher ROI on your training spend

I hope this article gives you great ideas that you can use as you implement training videos for your employee training. If you have any specific queries, do contact me or leave a comment below.

How To Use Microlearning To Train Your Multi-Generational Workforce

L&D teams face the challenge of training a multi-generational workforce with 4-5 distinct profiles. In this article, I outline how the microlearning-based approach can provide a unique mode to address the common aspects as well as personalized learning.

Ways To Use Microlearning To Train Your Multi-Generational Workforce

In 2019, more than ever before, L&D teams are facing the challenge to train employees across divergent profiles, given the multi-generational workforce which we see in most organizations. A typical team today may comprise of employees across 4 generations:

1. Baby Boomers
2. Gen X
3. Gen Y
4. Gen Z

It is quite likely that certain industries and organizations may even have a fifth one; the Traditionalists.

The multi-generational workforce presents a challenge of creating trainings for each of these profiles. Not only should training excite each one of them, but it should also provide the optimal mode of learning to each profile. Adding to the challenge, it is a fact that an approach that would excite one profile may be frivolous for another, and so on.

How Can You Address This Challenge?

Despite notable differences, there are several commonalities across generations. For instance,

• They all want to learn so that they can perform better.
• They want feedback that can help them improve further.
• They want to be part of a continuous learning process.

So, the answer lies in using a flexible approach that would excite and engage each profile of your multi-generational workforce. One of the possible options uses microlearning-based training to train your multi-generational workforce and offset this challenge.

In this article, I show you what microlearning strategies can help you train your multi-generational workforce.

What Are The Common Factors That Excite All Profiles And Can Be Used To Design Training For Your Multi-Generational Workforce?

As I have highlighted earlier, despite differences in each profile of the multi-generational workforce, there are several common aspects as well. L&D teams need to begin the exercise by taking note of what works with most of the employees.

With our experience at EI Design, we see the following wishlist across customers, geographies, and industry verticals. Most learners (across the multi-generational workforce) want the following aspects in their training:

1. The training should be personalized.
2. The learners should have the flexibility to pick up training “anytime and anywhere”.
3. The training must be interesting and should be offered in new formats (not the obvious formats).
4. The training should mesh with their lifestyle and should allow them the flexibility to learn effortlessly during their day, for example, while commuting, during waiting periods, or over the weekends. They do not want to block large chunks of time during work to accomplish this.
5. The training should feature short, focused learning assets that can be consumed “on the go”.
6. The training should be easy to access, and it should be available within the workflow, exactly at the moment of their need,, rather than having to access it over the LMS all the time.
7. They should have the flexibility to consume on the device of their choice, and they should be able to move seamlessly across devices.
8. The training should have the required mix of learning and reinforcements.
9. The training should also have triggers to nudge the learners to review and should have room to practice.
10. Based on each learner’s performance, there should be recommendations for further learning or remediation aids.
11. The learning journey should provide a sense of achievement and recognition.
12. The learning environment should provide learners with avenues to contribute and be recognized for this.

What Strategies Would Work To Design Training For Your Multi-Generational Workforce?

From the common factors, we can derive the training and learning strategies that would work across your multi-generational workforce, and the following aspects clearly stand out:

• Interesting and new formats
• Learning on the go
• Personalized learning
• Flexibility to pull learning nuggets by choice rather than be pushed by mandated trainings
• Just-in-time learning
• Room for collaboration and social learning
• Self-directed learning

Microlearning-based training for your multi-generational workforce, delivered across devices (notably, smartphones and tablets to laptops or desktops) provides an effective approach to meet the diverse expectations of each profile.

Microlearning based training features short focused learning nuggets, often 2-7 minutes long but always associated with a specific learning outcome. Designed to be delivered in high-impact formats, it facilitates a highly sticky learning experience.

You can use microlearning to map to each of the multi-generational workforce profile’s training needs as:

1. Formal or structured learning
2. Performance Support Tools (job aids or learning aids)
3. Support to ILT

To meet the expectations of the diverse profiles, you can offer microlearning for your multi-generational workforce as:

1. A standalone nugget, meeting a specific learning need as a just-in-time learning aid or job aid. This could support an ILT program or a traditional eLearning program.
2. A series of nuggets in a learning path (for formal training as well as for reinforcements and practice).

Furthermore, to meet each of the multi-generational workforce profile’s training needs:

1. With the microlearning approach for your multi-generational workforce, you can design the nuggets in multiple formats. You can opt for apps for learning, Video-based learning, Decision making scenarios, interactive PDFs, and interactive infographics and so on. This ensures that the expectations of each profile are met.
2. Additionally, you can offer the same learning in different formats so that employees have the flexibility to use a format that works best for them. For example, a video-based nugget can also be made available as a downloadable PDF.

You can use the following 10 creative strategies to offer microlearning-based training that would appeal to your multi-generational workforce:

1. Personalized learning paths (based on proficiency or interest)
2. Gamified learning paths
3. Gamified quizzes
4. Gamified challenges for proficiency validation and practice
5. Video-based learning
6. Interactive video-based learning
7. Scenario-based learning
8. Story-based learning
9. New immersive approaches: AR, VR, MR, and wearable tech
10. Leverage on AI to recommend further learning

It is given that each profile will embrace these learning strategies differently. Yet, microlearning-based training for your multi-generational workforce does provide an effective approach to address the common factors and the unique aspects that a given profile may require.

I hope this article does give you some pointers that you can use to offer a microlearning-based approach to train your multi-generational workforce. If you have any queries or need any specific support, do contact me at apandey@eidesign.net.

Source: https://www.eidesign.net/how-to-use-microlearning-to-train-your-multi-generational-workforce/

5 Ways to Increase the Impact of Your Interactive Video Based Learning

Various organizations have been using videos as a part of their training deliveries for a long time now. Nowadays, interactive videos are becoming the trend and organizations are starting to opt for it. Video based learning strategies have always yielded positive results for businesses. They are seeing a wider acceleration in adoption because of a few other upcoming trends.

The change from traditional eLearning strategies to Mobile Learning strategies is seeing a prominent rise. Most of the formats for Mobile Learning strategies that are now being designed to be primarily consumed on smartphones make use of videos. Microlearning based techniques are also being used to both formal as well as informal learning. Microlearning used in combination with videos can be used as job aids or as Performance Support Tools.

Recent research indicates that an interactive video impacts learning 10 times more than a classic video.

The following are 5 ways you can use interactive video based learning strategies in your corporate training.

 

As you have seen, the adoption of interactive video based learning strategies can create high-impact learning experiences. It appeals to all learner profiles, offers higher learner engagement quotient, provides better recall and retention, enables you to track the learner, enables you to check-point and assess learning, and can be used in combination with other techniques to amplify the impact.

If you have any queries or need any specific support, do contact me at apandey@eidesign.net.

Source: https://www.eidesign.net/5-ways-to-increase-the-impact-of-your-interactive-video-based-learning/

5 Killer Examples Of Interactive Videos For Corporate Training

Interactive videos can be used to create high-impact corporate training (for both formal training as well as for performance support). In this article, I showcase 5 killer examples of interactive videos for corporate training.

Interactive Videos For Corporate Training: How Is An Interactive Video Different From Traditional Training Videos?

Although using videos for training has been an established practice for several years, they fall short when the run lengths are long, as it gets difficult to retain the learner’s attention till the end. The passivity or lack of engagement becomes a drawback when cognition levels are higher and the learners are required to analyze and apply the learning.

This is exactly where interactive videos fit in.

Today’s technologies enable us to provide levels of engagement and interaction on videos that are typically part of any eLearning or mobile learning course.

As a result, we can leverage on the power of video and enhance the learning experience through a series of interactions that interactive videos provide.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Interactive Videos?

Besides providing a better learning experience through interactions, some of the other benefits of interactive videos are as follows:

1. High impact.
   You can enhance the impact of classic videos by up to 10X through interactive videos.
2. High learner engagement.
   Varied interactions and personalization will resonate better with your learners.
3. Meet the required cognition level.
   Interaction cues allow tremendous control to push cognition levels to analysis and application.
4. Appeal to varied learner profiles.
   Interactive videos are not intended for Millennials alone. In fact, they appeal to all learner profiles.
5. Enhance the impact of your mLearning or mobile learning solutions and leverage on the current trends.
   Today, interactive videos or learning experience.

How Can You Use Interactive Videos In Corporate Training?

When we look at the 70-20-10 model of learning, we see that usage of interactive videos maps to formal training as well as for Performance Support Tools. They can also be used to enhance your blended training delivery.

1. As formal training, they are a great fit for typical corporate training needs, including:
   • Compliance.
   • Soft Skills.
   • Leadership training.
   • Product training.
   • Sales training.
   • Behavioral change.
   • Change management.
2. They find a great fit as Performance Support Tools (PSTs). By providing interactive video-based learning aids within the learner’s workflow, you will see the application of the formal learning increase.
3. This is not all. As you look at supplementing your Instructor Led Training (ILT) or Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT) with online resources (moving to blended delivery), you can use interactive videos for role plays and reinforcement/simulations-based assessments.

In the examples that I have shortlisted to show how you can use interactive videos for corporate training, I have picked instances that map to these three ways to deploy them.

Before I move on to the 5 examples of interactive videos for corporate training, let me outline the key facets of an interactive video framework.

Highlights Of Our Interactive Video Framework

We at EI Design use a customizable interactive video framework to introduce interaction levels similar to the interactions that learners typically experience in a traditional eLearning or an mLearning course.

Unlike other online solutions offering interactive videos, our interactive framework:

• Offers the flexibility of further customization based on the learning needs.
• Offers multi-device compatibility: The videos work across multiple platforms such as Desktops, Tablets, and Smartphones (iOS and Android).
• Enables you to include branching within a single video or multiple videos.
• Allows inclusion of Gamification elements.
• Provides room to include videos from online sources, like YouTube, Vimeo, etc.
• Is compatible with AICC, SCORM 1.2, 2004, and TinCan. It can be hosted on LMS/LRS or can be run as a standalone piece on a web server.
• Comes with SCORM-related features such as completion time, resume, and scoring in LMS/LRS.

Interaction points for learners: The framework is designed to break the monotony of the learning experience. This is reflected in the various interactivity types that the framework offers, which include:

1. Hotspots.
2. Button click.
3. Fill in the blanks.
4. Carousel.
5. Single-choice assessments.
6. Multiple-choice assessments.
7. Drag and drop.

5 Killer Examples Of Interactive Videos For Corporate Training – Created In Our Interactive Videos Framework

Here’s a short video that highlights the benefits of interactive videos with 5 examples on how they can be used to boost the impact of learning.

Example 1 – Application Simulation Video Made Interactive

This video showcases how we brought in engaging interactivities to an application simulation course of Microsoft Word application with the interactive video approach. The video (containing narration) features how to use Microsoft Word.

We’ve jazzed up the learning with interactivities such as click and learn, some review questions, and the summary of learning, which appear on the video as overlay popups.

Example 2 – Interactive Video For Compliance Training

This video nugget features high-impact, contextual imagery and recaps the basic aspects of a Health, Safety, and Compliance (HSE) compliance course. We brought in inline checks at the end of each feature explained in the video and created a trackable asset (the Interactive Video is SCORM compatible).

This solution is an example of how you can multiply the impact of your existing compliance-related videos and convert them into rich and interactive formats adhering to SCORM or AICC standards.

Example 3 – Interactive Video For Corporate Training On Managing Customer Expectations

This interactive video showcases how we have transformed a scenario-based video into an engaging, interactive experience.

The video is on Managing Customer Expectations, and while the story plays out in a logical flow, viewers get to pause the video at regular intervals and check their understanding of the concept along the way.

To keep the learners engaged, it includes review questions, click and display, hot spots, drag and drop, and other interactivities.

The scenarios in the video help learners relate to the subject and provide a realistic feel in terms of how they should treat customers and what they should do to meet customer expectations. The interactive video, being a short microlearning nugget, also helps learners learn the bite-sized way.

Example 4 – ILT Converted To Interactive Video

This interactive video solution showcases how we have converted an ILT session into an engaging learning experience.

In this video, we have an Instructor demonstrating the features and benefits of eBridge, our review and collaboration tool.

We’ve pepped up the learning journey with interactivities such as click and learn, info highlights, and drag and drop.

This solution is a classic example of how you can multiply the impact of your existing videos and convert the recordings of ILT sessions into a rich, interactive format.

Although the core is still the Instructor’s recording, the approach is now more learner-centric.

Example 5 – Training Video On Financial Subject Made Interactive

This video showcases how we have brought a relatively dry financial concept of Japanese Candlesticks to life with the interactive video approach.

The video features eye-catching visuals in the form of illustrations, icons, graphics, photographs, and animations with a voiceover explaining the subject playing out in the background.

The interaction points in the video come in the form of options to take notes and voice controls to navigate through the video. Learners can either type in their notes or provide feedback by recording their voice.

Learners can also learn using the drop-down interactivity to choose the right options in a simulation designed exclusively to explain the concept of Japanese Candlestick charts.

I hope these 5 killer examples of interactive videos help you identify how you can use them for your corporate training. If you have any queries or need any specific support, do contact me at apandey@eidesign.net.

Take a look at this video that showcases the key features of our interactive video framework. You can see the various interactivities that can be used to create an engaging learning experience.

Source: https://www.eidesign.net/5-killer-examples-interactive-videos-for-corporate-training/

How Can You Improve Your Corporate Training ROI Through Interactive Videos – Featuring 3 Examples

Interactive video is being considered the next big thing for mLearning or mobile learning solutions. It appeals to a wider audience (Millennials as well as other learner profiles) and is more engaging compared to videos. This article features 3 interactive video examples that showcase how you can improve your corporate training ROI.

How To Improve Your Corporate Training ROI: How Is An Interactive Video Different From Traditional Training Videos?

In simple terms, interactive videos are videos that provide viewers with an interactive experience helping them be very much a part of the viewing journey through interactive controls.

Training videos as such are known to appeal to learners but in spite of the aura that they carry with them, they still come with the limitation of providing one-way communication to viewers.

Normal training videos fail to meet the learning mandate, especially when:

• They’re long, failing to retain learners’ attention all the way till the end.
• Learners are required to analyze and apply the learning.

Interactive videos negate the passivity of standard training videos and offer learners with an interactive viewing experience besides providing other benefits.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Interactive Videos?

Some of the other benefits of interactive videos are:

1. High impact.
   The impact they have is ten times the impact a normal video generates.
2. High learner engagement.
   They nudge learners to put their thinking caps on and keep them engaged through a host of interaction points.
3. Meet the required cognition level.
   Learning interactions akin to eLearning, such as knowledge checks, CYU, hotspots, click and reveal, and so on can be used in interactive videos for greater impact.
4. Appeal to varied learner profiles.
   They find takers in the millennial workforce as well as other learner profiles.
5. Enhance the impact of your mLearning solutions and leverage on current trends.
   You can use interactive videos with other approaches such as microlearning and gamification to enhance the impact of your mLearning or mobile learning solutions.

How Can You Use Interactive Videos In Corporate Training?

If we look at the 70-20-10 model of learning, we can map the usage of interactive videos for both formal training as well as Performance Support Tools or PSTs. This is not all. Interactive videos can also be used to support ILT.

Let’s see how exactly you can use them.

1. Formal training.
   Like videos, interactive videos can be used for compliance, soft skills, leadership training, product training, sales training, behavioral change, change management, and various other eLearning needs. Given the higher punch that you can pack with your learning design, interactive videos can provide a very high-impact learning experience.
2. As Performance Support Tools (PSTs).
   As we know, PSTs are just-in-time learning or job aids that are part of the learners’ work-flow. In contrast to formal training or classic eLearning that focuses predominantly on knowledge acquisition, these focus on the learning application. As they are available to learners precisely at their moment of need and can be used effectively on the job, they are very popular. Interactive videos find a significant application as PSTs.
3. Support ILT.
   Interactive video nuggets can be used to supplement ILT/VILT sessions. You can use them to support role plays, complex decision making simulations as well as scenario based assessments.

How Can You Multiply The Impact Of Using Interactive Videos In Your Corporate Training?

Today, you can enhance the impact of your learning design by leveraging multiple learning strategies.

Specifically, you can enhance the impact of Interactive Videos by:

1. Packaging them as microlearning nuggets: For primary training or supplementing the primary program (as a prequel or sequel to an eLearning course).
2. Using components of gamification to engage the learners.
3. Using scenario-based learning with branching to help learners analyze complex, real-life situations, and practice in a safe environment.
4. Offer personalization (use surveys to ascertain the specific path for each learner).
5. Encourage learning as a continuum by weaving multiple interactive video nuggets into learning paths/learning journeys.

Can Usage Of Interactive Videos Help You To Improve Your Corporate Training ROI?

Most of us are familiar with the Kirkpatrick model of training evaluation.

I use this as a standard measure to determine the potential impact of a given learning strategy. If we look at the model, the usage of interactive videos will certainly impact the first two levels positively.

Impact on Level 1: Usage of interactive videos has shown to create a strongly positive learner reaction and shows better completion rates as compared to traditional learning.

Impact on Level 2: Here the impact is similar to any other learning strategy in creating sticky learning experiences.

Impact on Level 3: Increasing the probability of behavioral change is possibly what sets interactive videos apart. As learners interact with real-life situations, the learning is more relevant and sticky thereby increasing its chances of application. All these factors increase the triggers for the required behavioral change.

Impact on Level 4: Once the required behavioral change is accomplished, the business is likely to see the required impact.

Impact on ROI: If we monetize the impact and divide it by the cost of training, we can arrive at the ROI. As I have highlighted through the impact on each level, a positive impact on ROI is the final derivative gain of using Interactive Videos for your corporate training.

Having seen the power of interactive videos and specifically how they impact the ROI positively, let us look at three interactive video examples.

Interactive Video Example 1: Managing Customer Expectations

This interactive video showcases how we have transformed a scenario-based video into an engaging interactive experience. The video is on Managing Customer Expectations and while the story plays out in a logical flow, viewers get to pause the video at regular intervals and check their understanding of the concept along the way.

To keep learners engaged, it includes review questions, click and display, hot spots, drag and drop, and other interactivities.

The scenarios in the video help learners relate to the subject and provide a realistic feel in terms of how they should be treating customers and what they should be doing to meet customer expectations. The interactive video being a short microlearning nugget also helps learners learn the bite-sized way.

Interactive Video Example 2: ILT Experience Made Interactive

This interactive video solution showcases how we have converted an ILT session into an engaging Interactive Video learning experience.

In this video, we have an instructor demonstrating the features and benefits of eBridge, our review and collaboration tool.

We’ve pepped up the learning journey with interactivities such as click and learn, info highlights, and drag and drop.

This solution is a classic example of how you can multiply the impact of your existing videos and convert the recordings of ILT sessions to rich, interactive format. Although the core is still the Instructor’s recording, the approach is now more learner-centric.

Interactive Video Example 3: A training Video On Financial Subject Made Interactive

This video showcases how we have brought a relatively dry financial concept of Japanese Candlesticks to life with the interactive video approach.

The video features eye-catching visuals in the form of illustrations, icons, graphics, photographs, and animations with a voiceover explaining the subject playing out in the background.

The interaction points in the video come in the form of options to take notes and voice controls to navigate through the video. Learners can either type in their notes or provide feedback by recording their voice.

Learners can also learn using the drop-down interactivity to choose the right options in a simulation designed exclusively to explain the concept of Japanese Candlestick charts.

Take a look at this video to know how we use our Interactive Video framework to flip viewer passivity to interactivity:

 

I hope this article has provided you with insights on how interactive videos can enhance your learning strategy and improve your corporate training ROI. If you need any further assistance on how you can integrate Interactive Videos in your learning strategy, do contact me at apandey@eidesign.net.

Source: https://www.eidesign.net/interactive-videos-improve-corporate-training-roi-3-examples/