708 How to Stop Training Videos from Being Boring
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Wednesday, March 28
Video & Media
Salon 3
Many people making training videos are wizzes at the technology, but few are schooled in the editorial skills of crafting pictures to convey meaning. As a result, many training videos are boring and fail to engage learners. One reason is that video messages are picture-led. To truly engage learners, you need to create video with a picture-first mindset. You also need to play to its strengths as a modality.
In this session, you will explore what makes a good training video and how pictures are central to visual engagement. You’ll learn about four key techniques that television and digital video professionals use to make video more engaging. You’ll find out how to avoid video that is boring. And you’ll uncover both the opportunities and limitations of video for learning.
In this session, you will learn:
- About four key techniques to increase visual engagement
- How to sequence shots to tell a strong story or convey learning
- About the dynamics of crafting pictures for different devices
- About the opportunities for, and limitations of, video in learning
Audience:
Novice to intermediate designers and developers.
Technology discussed in this session:
Video.

Jonathan Halls
CEO
Trainer Mojo
Jonathan Halls, the CEO of Trainer Mojo, is the author of Rapid Video for Trainers, Rapid Media for Trainers, and Video Script Writing, He's taught digital storytelling to journalists in 20 countries and train-the-trainer programs for almost 30 years. Jonathan started his career as a talk show host, moved into training, and later headed up the BBC's Television Training. Jonathan now runs digital media workshops for trainers and delivers evidence-based train-the-trainer programs. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in adult learning and is an adjunct professor at George Washington University.