Michael SimonsonFor some reason, interactive videos are now a big thing. Could it be that videographers are starting to read the research? Or is this a new spin on the old idea.
First, instructional videos are “recorded content with motion that provides detailed information on how to meet a specific educational challenge, such as knowing something, being able to do something, or feeling something—the three domains of learning—cognitive, psychomotor, affective.
Generally, traditional instructional videos (films actually) tended to be about 27– 28 minutes long, presented about a multifaceted topic, and were usually viewed in a classroom situation—because there was no way to see the video or film at home.
The content of a traditional instructional films, if well done, could be divided into about five subideas. These ideas, when viewed in sequence, provided a fairly comprehensive presentation of the topic.
Instructional videos and films were almost always produced by professional film crews or videographers working from a detailed script with a talented acting crew. Do you remember “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge?” If you haven’t seen it, look it up on YouTube and watch.
Interaction, the new spin on instructional videos, certainly sounds good. Interaction is communication or direct involvement with someone or something—it is the way people affect one another. For example, the two ended their interaction with a hug.
Interactive instructional video is instruction using video that enables people to understand, do, or feel something, such as solving a problem, building a fence, or expressing empathy, with interaction added. And as with all interaction, there is something for viewers to do—they interact.
Often, professional, or semi-professional instructional videos are produced by a team. Having professional help is great, but expensive help is often beyond the resources available to most distance educators. What about DIY—do it yourself?
DIY is the idea of enhancing, creating, or fixing something yourself rather than employing a professional. DIY instructional videos are:
Simple and cover one idea, such as a single concept
Short, both in length and in production time – a couple of hours for production of a 3–4-minute video
Unpolished and unsophisticated, and are obviously “homemade”
Personal because you do it, and it is your creation, not “theirs”
A first question that should be asked is “Are DIY interactive videos effective?” The general answer is YES.
The taxonomy
There is also a taxonomy for DIY interactive instructional videos that relates interaction to the video.
Level 1: The first and most common approach for using a video is to view the video, then interact, usually by discussing it. This approach is the typical way videos are used in a class or online.
Level 2: The second approach is to first interact, then view the video, and next interact again. For example, learners may be asked to explain what they know about a topic such “the lead nurse’s role for surgery.” Then the video, usually a tutorial, would show the required duties of a lead nurse. Finally, another discussion would be held to reconcile the differences between the first discussion and the second.
Level 3: A third approach is to show the video, then have instructors and learners interact, which would be followed by another clarifying video, or a continuation of the original video. The clarifying video gives more in-depth information about the video’s content. Recently, developers have inserted questions during the video for viewers to answer. This modification works great when viewing is by an individual rather than a group.
Level 4: Finally, a fun, simple, and effective approach is called the “What Now_? technique. The What Now video technique (also called trigger videos) is a motion media production the presents a dilemma without resolving it. The intent is that the video will lead to an interactive discussion among the group of onsite or online learners for which it was intended. The dilemma can be of many kinds—ethical, professional, moral, financial, technical, social or organizational.
For any type of DIY video—entertainment, informative, or persuasive—only a few ingredients are necessary. First, one needs an idea. What is the problem, the situation, or the event to be the basis for the DIY video? Next, the idea should be made real by writing a script—a script is a video production plan with a written explanation of the motion segments and the narrative.
Next a simple computer with basic video production software is needed—certainly free software. Next, a video camera is needed. Today, the best choice for a DIY video is the cell phone. Finally, a little time. The rule of thumb is that a DIY video should be about 3–4 minutes long and take 3-4 hours or less to produce.
Sound simple, well of course it is not. To start, grab your iPhone, shoot some footage, transfer it to a computer, do simple editing, and take a look. Of course, there are tutorials available online, but today, trial and error is fun and does not cost anything.
And finally, to paraphrase Coleridge, “it is not the video which we have viewed, but that to which we remember.”
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