What are some best practices for creating engaging and inclusive content for your training videos?

The first step is understanding your audience -- like, REALLY understanding. Most folks think they understand their audience, but they're making assumptions that are often incorrect. Don't skip this step! The most vital thing you can do when working on engaging and inclusive training videos is meticulously understanding your audience. Start with a needs assessment to pinpoint knowledge gaps, skills, and attitudes. Tailor content to match learning preferences, considering factors like generational differences or tech availability. A responsive approach ensures your content resonates with your audience -- who they are, what they need, where they'll be when they tune in, etc. -- which helps you morph pitfalls into engagement opportunities.

Crear contenido atractivo e inclusivo en los videos de teleformación de ITC, es fundamental para asegurar que todos los participantes se mantengan interesados. En nuestra empresa, nosotros cuidamos mucho que la duración sea adecuada, que los videos sean concisos y concretos. Y, esto junto a un audio de calidad, asegurándonos que el sonido sea claro y libre de ruido de fondo, para evitar distracciones. Así nuestros videos llegan a ser accesibles a una audiencia diversa.

It's essential to strike a balance between being comprehensive and maintaining engagement. Too much information too quickly can overwhelm learners, while too slow a pace can lead to disengagement. Use the needs assessment to gauge your audience's familiarity with the subject matter and adjust the pacing accordingly. Interactive elements can significantly enhance learning outcomes. Depending on the platform you're using, consider incorporating quizzes, interactive exercises, or even simple prompts for reflection. These elements can help reinforce learning and provide immediate feedback, which is particularly beneficial for adult learners who value practical, applicable knowledge.

Drawing from my own experience in creating educational content, I can't stress enough the significance of the language choices highlighted in the article. Using jargon-free, clear, and concise language is not just about accessibility; it's about respect for your audience's diverse backgrounds and experiences. In my work, I've found that simplifying complex concepts without dumbing them down helps in building a bridge between knowledge and understanding. This approach encourages engagement and fosters an inclusive learning environment.

According to experts, knowing your audience is essential for creating impactful content. Understanding their needs, preferences, and backgrounds allows you to tailor your message effectively, ensuring that it resonates, engages, and meets their expectations.

Besides using various techniques, using varied Multimedia elements like animations, graphics, images, and video clips, to enhance visual appeal and engage different learning styles can be very helpful as well!

In my journey of creating training videos, one of the key lessons I've learned is the importance of interactivity and relevance to keep the audience engaged and motivated. Incorporating quizzes, polls, and scenario-based questions not only tests their understanding but actively involves them in the learning process, making it more dynamic and less passive. I always strive to align the content with the learners' real-world challenges and goals, using relatable case studies and stories that resonate with their experiences. This approach not only makes the learning more applicable but also significantly boosts retention and the ability to apply the knowledge in practical situations, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the training.

En mi opinión, la estética es fundamental para motivar. No concebida como decoración sino entendiendo que va de la mano de la ética. Es nuestro modo de ver y mostrar el mundo. Los colores, las imágenes que elegimos y los sentimientos que evocan van a generar diferentes reacciones para quién está aprendiendo. No hace falta mostrar imágenes crudas o de alto impacto para generar una reacción. Creo que si usamos imágenes violentas o sonidos irritantes estamos violentando a los/as alumnos/as. Incorporar a nuestra estética el arte, audios y videos que sugieran o generen climas que nos hacen experimentar algo sin la crudeza es nuestro mayor desafío a la hora de generar interactividad y conexión con los/as alumnos/as.

In my experience, incorporating captions and transcripts into videos has been a game-changer for accessibility and inclusivity. It's not just about reaching those with hearing impairments; it's also about acknowledging diverse learning preferences and environments. By providing captions and transcripts, I've been able to support learners who might prefer reading to listening, those who are non-native speakers seeking clarity on specific terms, or even individuals in low-bandwidth areas who can't stream video effectively.

Based on 5+ years creating videos for educational and commercial purposes, here are my TOP BENEFITS of captions/ transcripts for videos: 1. ACCESSIBILITY: Makes video accessible to audiences with visual or hearing impairments 2. SEARCH FUNCTION: Learners can search videos for keyboards to find a specific answer, if need be 3. ENHANCED COMPREHENSION: Audio + Text (Visual) helps reinforce understanding of what is being said, especially with voice overs (off screen speaking) 4. ENGAGEMENT: Where ever you look -- Instagram, TikTok, Netflix -- captions have gone mainstream. As with sing-a-longs for children, they present a draw for viewers to continue following along. Auto-transcribe with... - CapCut - DaVinci Resolve - Free online tools - etc

Also make it compatible with screen readers using e.g. media alternative transcripts. This makes it accessible to audiences who have visual impairments.

This is key in engaging the audience…Using visuals and audio-visual elements wisely can greatly enhance learning experiences by making content more accessible and engaging. When used thoughtfully, visuals help clarify complex ideas, while audio can reinforce key points and create an emotional connection. It’s important to ensure that these elements are purposeful, not distracting, and align with the message to support understanding and retention for all learners.

Entiendo que capacitar es una experiencia y como tal debe ser envolvente para los sentidos, convocar emociones, permitir generar una profunda conexión con el contenido. Creo que los/as docentes o capacitadores tenemos que sentir el deseo de compartir algo con nuestros/as alumnos/as y si nosotras/os estamos motivados, se genera la magia. Cada vez que armo una clase siento ganas de contar una historia, pienso en cómo repercutirá en las personas. Cuando la estoy dictando me gusta mirar sus caras, aunque sea virtual, y en general me he encontrado con auditorio muy predispuesto. Por eso recomiendo calurosamente no generar clases altamente expositivas sino buscar la forma desde diferentes propuestas de que los/as asistentes puedan participar.

I have noticed that creating engaging and inclusive content for training videos requires thoughtful consideration of diverse learning styles and perspectives. To achieve this, incorporate varied multimedia elements like captions, diverse visuals, and interactive features. Personalizing content with real-world examples and using clear, accessible language ensures that all learners feel included and connected, enhancing both engagement and understanding. What has worked for you?