1. Guest speaker

In a training seminar you will probably have experts on-hand to talk about their specialist area. This approach re-engages the learner, makes the session more interesting and adds credibility to the content. You can employ a very similar approach with online learning by interviewing your subject matter experts on-camera. The footage can be edited to create a series of short, informative video clips that can be added at appropriate intervals to your e-Learning content.

Playback controls allow the user to navigate through the video clip, adjust the volume and toggle to full-screen. To emphasise the point being made by the speaker you can use cue points in your video to trigger an on-screen bullet point (as shown in the screenshot). Video is also a really effective medium for creating case studies, 'what if' scenarios and testimonials within an e-learning episode.

2. Video instructor

Video instructors are a great alternative to audio narration and add real personality to a learning episode. The presenter acts as an on-screen instructor and guides learners as they navigate through a learning episode. Typically, presenters are filmed using chromakey technology (i.e. blue/green screen) that 'drops out' the background. This allows the presenter to be seamlessly 'embedded' into the content and even walk around to point things out. The result is a much more personalised experience that is highly engaging. See an example here.

3. Demonstrations

Often, a key element of product-based training is a demonstration of product assembly, use or maintenance. A video demonstration, that the viewer can watch and replay at their own pace, is ideally suited to this purpose. You might choose to use a professional presenter (or member of staff) to talk the viewer through the demonstration. Alternatively, the video could be accompanied by voiceover narration - making it easier to add support for multiple languages. In both cases, cue points can be used to trigger on-screen text to accompany the demonstration.

4. Diagnostic tools

Sometimes, online courses force the learner to proceed through the content step-by-step in a linear approach. This can be frustrating for a learner because they may not wish, or need, to see everything. The same is true when a user is expected to sit through an entire video when actually they just want to skip ahead to the section that is relevant to them.

Diagnostic tools allow a learner to profile themselves before receiving a personalised response. Visitors create a profile by simply dragging sliders into the position that best reflects them. When they click submit a tailor-made response is generated. In this example, the video instructor introduces a diagnostic tool that profiles your personality type.