Video has become an increasingly popular tool for instruction, with students frequently turning to it for both learning and entertainment. Platforms like YouTube see tremendous traffic, illustrating this trend. However, research shows that videos only retain viewer attention for a few minutes. Even brief commercial breaks can enhance engagement and retention, much like pausing a video for a single question can significantly improve memory.
At MSU, instructors have access to a tool called playposit for creating interactive videos. It can be accessed for free via D2L. However, there is a catch: MSU has only licensed playposit for three years, and we are already nearing the end of the first year. Despite this, it's worth exploring the potential of interactive video. If enough instructors express interest, there may be a case for continued support and licensing.
playposit offers a variety of interactive features designed to make videos more self-paced and impactful. At MSU, the most popular interactions include multiple-choice questions, reflective pauses, free responses, and discussion forums. Other options include polls, fill-in-the-blank, select all, place-in-order, and vocabulary matching. These interactions enable instructors to provide feedback and guide learners to reinforce their understanding. For a complete list of interaction types, visit this link. Additionally, templates are available for adding multiple interactions or incorporating more complex interactions automatically. You can use videos from your MediaSpace account, or you can paste in a URL from YouTube.
playposit refers to its interactive modules as "Bulbs," aiming to illuminate the learning process for both instructors and students. These bulbs help students identify gaps in their knowledge in real-time and offer opportunities for note-taking to document questions and learnings. To see for yourself, access your D2L course, select "Content" to add a module, choose "Existing Activities," and then select "playposit Interactive Video." Afterward, be sure to come back here share your experiences with this tool. Here is an infographic to help you get started.
