Let’s admit it.
Creating microlearning videos can be quite challenging because of the shorter duration of microlearning modules, and because they could revolve around a tutorial, a lecture, a demonstrative ‘how-to’ methodology, or an explainer animation. Securing recall, retention, and implementation within the small time available is certainly not easy!
So, how do we deliver our message in a short burst and incorporate a video in it? How do we make the microlearning videos compelling and memorable?
Here are some critical dos and don’ts that help…
Create a Blueprint for the Microlearning: A Microlearning Map-
Before jumping into making your video, it’s important to remember that you should opt for the video format only if it fits, if it helps achieve the learning objective.
Before starting to create the video, you need to be clear about what you want to do and how to do it. A microlearning map is a high-level blueprint that tells you exactly how to do that. In it, you list down what your microlesson is all about, and the why, what, where, and how of your video! A well thought-out microlearning map must be guided by your overall microlearning strategy.
Microlearning considerations for a video
A microlearning map makes the objective of your initiative clear. That can be to:
- Supplement your current training in different ways to engage the learner
- Reinforce your training to teach concepts or skills vital for performance
- Augment your current learning content as a confidence-building measure
- Remediate by helping those who perform or behave poorly at work
Microlearning Use Case scenarios
Microlearning videos can be based on any one of these 6 Use Case scenarios:
Pensive videos in the microlearning lesson will make learners think and reflect upon something. The videos could revolve around a concept, a process, an idea, a scenario, or a task.
Performance microlearning videos are meant to be ready-reckoners, providing just-in-time support for your learner at work.
- Persuasive microlearning videos aim to modifying the learner’s behavior. This type of video specifically targets a certain behavioral goal.
- Post-Instruction videos are meant to complement the larger training agenda, with interesting graphics to support learning in a fun way.
- Practice videos act like coaches in the microlearning snippet, enabling learners to practice and hone their skills.
- Preparatory videos act as a prelude to a series of planned training initiatives. They lay the groundwork and set the context for the main training initiative.
You can choose the appropriate Use Case option in your microlearning map depending on the scenario.
Do Not Take Shortcuts while Creating Videos
One of the biggest blunders while creating videos is to opt for an easier option, such as modifying or editing an existing classroom training video and force-fit it into the microlearning lesson.
A shortcut like this never works! With a microlearning format, you need a very tight and tailormade video.
The reason is simple. A video recorded in a classroom setting with an instructor addressing the entire class can never achieve a one-to-one connect with the individual learner, which is what we aim with microlearning.
Microlearning is meant to be adaptive. That means the learner needs to get connected directly to your host in the video.
That’s why a microlearning video needs time and effort to create. It needs a well-written script and proper design to be effective. The same applies for other formats such as whiteboard animation videos.
Avoid Slide-heavy Videos
Too many static slides (like a PPT) in the video with a robotic disinterested voice droning in the background puts off the learner.
Your speaker (the host or instructor) must be the hero and guide of your video, and must appear every now and then along with your content slides.
The video should be instructor-dominant rather than being slide-heavy!
You host must also speak with enthusiasm. Learners get hooked to your microlearning lesson when they experience the host’s energy and passion!
Be Real and Connect Personally
You don’t need to have a picture perfect 5-star rated video clip to get your learner’s attention. It just needs to look, feel, and sound real! Only then will the video engage the learner.
That’s the reason we love real videos by real people on YouTube. We feel so much at home watching videos with no artificial stage settings, no pretentions, and no fake feeling. Everything seems natural and real that we can relate to!
Being informal pays! You get a great personal connect when talking directly to your learner in a video. All you need to do is to design your video properly.
For example, let us assume that you want to shoot a video with a practice ‘use case’ scenario to augment learning. You need to make that part of video easily accessible to enable the learner to rewatch it repeatedly to practice. You could do that by creating a bookmark or an action button for this section to make access easier.
Let’s now explore the whiteboard animation explainer videos, what makes them so popular, and how to get them right.
How to Make Impactful Explainer Videos
Whiteboard animation explainer videos do a great job of cutting through the clutter, and getting straight to the point!
Here are a few tips to help you make them better.
- Keep your videos straightforward, using the technical features sparingly. You don’t want your learner focusing too much on the bells and whistles (swoosh sounds, special effects, loud music, excessive camera movement, etc.). They only distract the learner without helping learning, and we don’t want that!
- Never compromise on audio quality. A great voice coupled with clear sound is like music to the ears.
- Use stories, emotions, and examples (as applicable) to make your explainer videos effective and engaging.
- Engage your learner’s eyes by providing constant movement. Eyes get bored if the video frame remains static for too long. Provide different imagery and movement every now and then. This keeps your learner engaged, and they continue to process the pictures and imagery on-screen. But take care not to make it so fast that processing it becomes painful and irritating.
To conclude, making videos is a serious activity that must be done strategically. Use these tips to deliver awesome videos for your microlearning lessons!
