Why use PlayPosit for branched learning?
Branched learning offers learners greater autonomy and boosts engagement. Instructors can establish a branched learning environment to accommodate learners with varying prior knowledge, providing different levels of scaffolding with a single Bulb. This approach also fosters a learner-centered learning environment that allows learners to choose their learning paths, encouraging them to participate actively. Moreover, instructors can design a gamified learning experience using an interactive branched learning video, transforming the learning process into an adventure for the learners.
Creating an interactive branched learning video with PlayPosit is straightforward. Instructors don’t need to handle programming or logic settings behind the branched learning. Instead, they can use the jump feature pre-built in most PlayPosit’s interactions to direct learners to different video sections based on their answers and responses. Additionally, instructors can allow learners to choose the video section they wish to watch, empowering them to decide their own learning path.
Another great feature that makes PlayPosit an excellent tool for creating branched learning is that the designer allows instructors to upload multiple video segments into one Bulb. This feature allows instructors to create a diverse learning experience by incorporating videos from different sources.
Lastly, the preview function in PlayPosit Bulb Designer allows instructors to easily test their branched learning Bulb. They can examine the video they build to ensure it operates as expected.
How to build branched learning Bulbs with PlayPosit?
Add multiple video segments to the Bulb
When building branched learning Bulbs, instructors can add multiple videos to the Bulb. After launching the Bulb designer, select the video host and add the first video to the Bulb.
Switch back to the video segments tab at the top, and click the Add Video button below the first video segment to add another video segment to the Bulb. The second video does not need to be imported from the same video host as the first video.
To reorder the imported video segments, toggle on the Enable drag and drop reordering option, drag and drop the video segments to reorder them, and toggle off the option after reordering them.
Repeat the step above to add more video segments to the Bulb if needed.
Add Jumps to the Bulb
There are four options to add jumps to the Bulb:
- Jump learners based on their responses to the questions
- Add jumps to the feedback of the questions
- Create hotspots/buttons for learners to jump in the Bulb
- Add auto jump to the Bulb
Please see the instructions for each option below.
Jump learners based on their responses to the questions
For multiple choice, poll, check all that apply, and fill in the blank interactions, instructors can add jumps to the interactions that will jump learners based on their responses to the questions.
Multiple choice and poll interactions:
Enter the content for the question and answer options, click the gear icon next to the answer option, and select Add Jump.
Enter the time code to set the target timestamp for this answer option. The jump time format is set to hours: minutes: seconds. milliseconds.
(Optional) Repeat the steps for the other answer options in the interaction. Each answer can have different target timestamps assigned, and learners will jump to the specified timestamps based on their selected answer options. If learners choose an answer option that does not have a jump configured, they will continue watching the video without jumping.
Click Save to save the interaction.
Check all and fill in the blank interactions:
Enter the content for the question and answer options and click Advanced to expand the advanced settings.
Toggle on the Jump if the user answers this question correctly and Jump if the user answers this question incorrectly options.
Enter the target timestamps for these two options and click Save to save the interaction. Depending on whether they answer the question correctly, learners will be directed to the specified timestamp.
Add jumps to the feedback of the questions
Enter the content for the question and answer options, click the gear icon next to the answer option, and select Add Feedback.
Type in the feedback, highlight the text for the jump button, and select the Jump icon from the rich text editor.
Enter the target timestamp for the jump and change the button's styling if needed. The jump time format is set to hours: minutes: seconds. milliseconds. Instructors can also adjust the button’s color with the color picker. After adjusting the settings and timing, click Insert to create the jump button for the feedback.
Repeat the steps for other answer options if needed. After learners answer the questions, they will read the feedback and can click the button to jump to the set timestamp.
Create hotspots/buttons for learners to jump in the Bulb
Add a Pause interaction to the Bulb and enter the text for the button. We recommend leaving a line between each button to ensure enough space between each button.
Highlight the text for the first button and click the jump icon in the rich text editor.
Enter the target timestamp for the jump and change the button's styling if needed. The jump time format is set to hours: minutes: seconds. milliseconds. Instructors can also adjust the button’s color with the color picker. After adjusting the settings and timing, click Insert to create the jump button.
Repeat the steps above to build out all the buttons.
(Optional) By default, the interaction will be placed on the left sidebar. To have it overlay on the video, click the Placement at the top and select a new placement for the interaction. Instructors can also expand the Advanced Settings to further adjust the interaction's placement, size, and opacity.
Click Save to save the interaction.
Add auto jump to the Bulb
When learners reach the timestamp of an auto jump interaction, they will automatically jump to the selected section of the Bulb. This interaction can help instructors branch learners to a desired section of the Bulb without interrupting their experience. Please follow the steps below to add auto jump to the Bulb.
Click Create New Interaction and select the Auto Jump interaction for the interaction type.
Enter the target timestamp and click Save to save the interaction.
Adjust Bulb settings for branched learning Bulbs
Click the Review tab on the top, expand the Playback Options, and check the following options.
- Allow learners to skip interactions
- Allow viewers to fast forward
These two options will allow learners to jump to different sections of the Bulb and prevent them from being restricted by the interactions unrelated to their branched learning experience.
Preview and playtest the branched learning Bulb
When in the Bulb designer, click the Review tab and click Preview.
From the My Bulbs page, click the Bulb thumbnail and select Preview.
Click the gear icon in the lower right corner of the player and change the playback mode to Learner.
FAQs
How to acquire the timestamp to set up branched learning?
After importing all the video segments into the Bulb Designer, instructors can click the Play button in the lower left corner to preview the video and find the timestamp above the Play button. Instructors can also click on the timestamp to copy it to the clipboard.
Additionally, instructors can drop down the timestamp and create a simple wireframe to help visualize the learner’s workflow in the branched learning Bulb.
Why are some questions left blank on the monitor page after learners complete the Bulb?
Learners will only interact with the interactions included in the section they choose or are assigned to watch. For example, if the learner selects to jump and start watching the Bulb from 2:30, they will not see nor interact with the interactions placed before 2:30. Therefore, those interactions will be left blank after the learner completes the Bulb.
Learners’ experiences inherently differ from each other based on their choices and responses when taking a branched learning Bulb. This unique characteristic makes branched learning an engaging and intuitive way for learners to acquire new knowledge and skills in a learner-centered environment. However, because learners might see and interact with different questions throughout their learning experience, the branched learning Bulb might not be the best tool for creating a summative assessment.
When to use auto jump?
Learners will be automatically sent to the selected timestamp when they reach the auto-jump interaction. This will be beneficial if the instructor wants to branch learners to a desired section of the Bulb without interrupting their learning experience.
For example, if the instructor lets learners choose to watch sections A or B of the Bulb, the instructor can add an auto jump at the end of section A to allow learners who decide to watch section A to skip section B.
Why allow learners to skip interactions and fast forward?
The jump feature will only work when learners can move between different timestamps in the Bulb. Therefore, the instructor must enable the fast-forward option to allow learners to jump from timestamp to timestamp in the branched learning Bulb.
Similarly, if an interaction in the Bulb is unskippable, learners will be forced to stop at that interaction and can’t jump to the desired part of the Bulb. For example, if a learner needs to jump from 1:00 to 2:00, and there is a required interaction at 1:30, the learners will stop at 1:30 to answer the required question and will not be sent to the target timestamp.
Also, please instruct the learners not to use the progress bar or the fast-forward/rewind button to navigate the branched learning Bulb, as this could potentially break the learning experience.
Will learners know they are being jumped?
Yes, when learners jump to a timestamp in the Bulb, they will see a notification in the top right corner indicating that they have jumped.
Can I jump learners to a specific question?
To jump learners to different questions in the Bulb, instructors can assign the questions to specific timestamps and guide learners to those timestamps based on their selections.
For instance, instructors can position the first question at 00:08 and the second question at 00:09 and jump them to one of the timestamps according to their answers.
If the instructor prefers that learners who answer question 1 do not see question 2, they can also implement an auto jump interaction after the first question to bypass the second question.