The Four Things You Need to Know Before Designing Your Whiteboard Animation Training Content

Whiteboard Animation Videos have grown in popularity because they deliver information very effectively. The consistent pace of video and audio maximizes immersion and creates a conversational environment that matches the atmosphere of a classroom setting. Animated modules like whiteboard animation have shown on average an 80% boost in information retention.

Almost 90% of Forbes 500 companies have adopted video training mostly using whiteboard videos as a major part of their learning content suite.   If you are ready to get started, or already have an idea in mind for your next e-learning video, this is the blog for you.  

For the best advantage of Whiteboard Animation Video format, it is important to optimize its principal strengths when planning your video. So, as you start to draft your new e-learning video, keep in mind the following four tips:  

1. Design content in episodic segments with clear, visual cues

Episodic Whiteboard Animation Videos are very successful. While these can save a lot of time for the learner, video lessons need to be clear enough to be understood at the first viewing. While the audiovisual nature of video content is very effective, your learners are unable to browse your content in random order.   Therefore, we recommend splitting your lessons into episodic elements and choosing specific diagrams and visual cues for each one. Some may incorporate complex diagrams or blueprints to aid visual learning, while others may simply use eye-catching images to capture the students’ attention and help them to remember the information.     

2. Make information retention easy with a learning narrative

Some tasks build on others. The linear structure of these videos makes it difficult to move back and forth between pages like a text module, so it is important that each element you introduce is understood as it is explained.   A great way of achieving this is to rearrange your content to build a learning narrative. Learning elements should be arranged logically with the sections that build on one another kept close together.    

3. Build engagement and motivation by scaling up complexity

The narrative structure of a Whiteboard Animation Videos can also be used to make complex tasks seem easier by building up to them. Opening with difficult tasks might be too challenging. Most learners respond best when starting with simpler tasks. So, they can become more comfortable with the content in preparation for more challenging tasks. This gradual growth in task complexity aids both learner productivity and attentiveness.   To make things easier for your learners, once you have sorted your elements into groups, take note of the most challenging task in each group and try to arrange these in order of increasing complexity.    

4. Use a consistent animation style

Many Whiteboard Animation Video tools come with a database of drawings to choose from, and there are marketplaces to browse for more images. Unless you are getting your content custom-made, it can be tempting to pick and choose the best visuals from multiple sources. But a break in the consistency of your visual style can have a huge negative impact on your video. Your visuals serve as mental anchors or mnemonics for your learners so, if the visual style shifts suddenly, it can be difficult for your learners to connect with or recall information.  

Ozemio builds custom e-learning solutions and has helped dozens of companies build video content, from extended, hour-long training videos to multiple micro-learning videos with consistent, recognizable mascots and animation styles. We even help you with the design process and drafting your narrative. We help you to build videos that train your staff to achieve company objectives and consequently grow revenue for your business.