Tips for creating silent training/instructional videos

Hey Francesca,

This is such a great question and I'm sure you're going to see a lot of tips come through! I'll share two tips that I think are very important:

• Easy-to-Read Text Layout: Since you won't be using any audio narration, that means all of your learning content is on the slide, much of it as text. Because of this, it becomes that much more important that the text on the screen is easy to read. Take time to consider the layout of your text. Take note of the fonts you're using, along with the line and paragraph spacing.
• User-Driven Slide Advancement & Animations: Since you won't be using audio narration, there is no clear "end" to each screen or slide. Make sure to turn off any auto-advancement, and give the learner the option to advance when they are ready. If you include any animations, make sure the learner has an easy way to replay the animation or video. 

Those are my tips for right now! I hope those are helpful! If I think of more, I'll post them!

Hi Francesca,

Here are a couple examples for you:

• Storyline 360: Review 101 Software Sim
• E-Learning Heroes 101

I hope that helps! :)

Along with Tim's suggestions, I would pop a music track in the background to move the narrative along.

Thanks for the tips Tim!

Thank you!

I like that idea, thanks!

Sorry if you've received multiple replies! Things are looking wonky on my end, lol. Thanks to everyone for their tips and suggestions! Fran

I recently created a step by step training with no audio to show how to navigate our learning management system. I decided to use screen shots instead of video because I anticipate part of the interface for the LMS might change in the next year, so updating the course would be simpler by just swapping out new screen shots. I also wanted to remove or mask real employee names in the software demo. 

Another tip is to have the text you would normally be narrating along the bottom of the screen, similar to closed captions. 

You're welcome :)

Thanks so much!

Hi Melanie. I really like the idea of using screen shots instead of video! Brilliant! I am also currently doing how to navigate our learning management system. I would like to ask how did you organize your screen shots? And did you publish them as video slides? Thank you in advance!

Some additional tips:

• Break your text into small bites; do not present monolithic blocks of text.
• Place the small blocks of text right next to the part of the software they describe (e.g., "Start by entering your username and password" which would be right next to the username and password fields on the login screen, not up at the top or down at the bottom of the screen).
• Put a Continue button at the bottom of each tiny block of text, so learners can move forward through the course at their own pace. 

Thanks!

I do a lot of these and agree with the above. In addition, if I am concerned that some folks will just click through (I know - you are shocked!), I change the Next button to Disabled at the start of the slide. I time out how long it takes me to read the content as if I am a fast reader, and then use that time for changing it back to Normal. I like the grayed-out disabled button better than the hidden option.