Although educational videos are now ubiquitous online, many learners find it difficult to stay focused while watching. Even with a distinct learning objective, the temptation to open a new browser tab, respond to a text message, or check a social media feed can make it difficult to stay engaged. A 2023 exploratory study found, however, that questions embedded in videos may serve as effective and engaging learning resources across various age ranges.

To help enhance the learning experience and help students retain key concepts, LabXchange now offers annotated videos—transforming passive viewing into active learning. As an educator, you can also apply your own annotations to any type of video found in the LabXchange library (including animations, teaching, interview, and method videos). These annotations allow learners to engage with supporting notes, discover additional materials, and test their understanding with assessment questions.

“Effective use of video as an educational tool is enhanced when instructors consider three elements: how to manage cognitive load of the video; how to maximize student engagement with the video; and how to promote active learning from the video.” (Brame, 2017)

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How do annotated videos enhance students' learning?

Here are a few ways in which annotated videos can support your instructional goals:

1. Annotations provide clear definitions of key terms, exactly when needed.

Simple text annotations can briefly expand on a topic, offer interesting facts (for example, “Did you know?”), or provide definitions that aren’t included in the video footage or voice over. 

If a supporting concept is better conveyed through an image than through text, you can upload an image annotation. The image should be simple and include minimal text, so that learners don’t need to pause the video to engage with it. 

‍Note: only one image can be embedded per annotation.

2. Annotations give learners additional information through popups. 

If the video deals with a complex topic, you can link out to supplementary or extension content from the LabXchange library. For learners who are highly motivated or would like a further challenge, this offers an opportunity to explore the topic further (for those who are interested or would like to be challenged further). The link can either appear as a “Learn more” button, or as an in-text hyperlink.

3. Annotations can test learners’ knowledge with interactive questions. 

If a question or question set annotation is included, the video will automatically pause and allow learners to engage with the question(s) and answers. This way, you can test a learner’s progress in understanding the content or pose a rhetorical question.

Note: At this time, learners’ results on assessments included on annotated videos are not tracked. Learn more about how LabXchange can help gauge learners’ progress here.

While it is possible to include an annotation that combines text, an image, and a hyperlink (or different combinations of these), we recommend using this feature sparingly. It can distract the user and may require them to pause the video, defeating the purpose of adding annotations. Annotations can increase engagement with video content, but should only be used when they add value to the learning experience.

In summary, annotated videos are especially useful for the following instructional goals:

• Providing definitions for concepts that are not (or could not) be explored in the video
• Offering interesting facts that will foster increased curiosity about the topic
• Providing extension opportunities by linking out to additional and/or challenging content 
• Providing video chaptering so that learners can explore specific parts of the video that interest them most, or skip past basics that they have already mastered
• Allowing learners to pause and test their understanding of content through formative assessment questions or question sets
• Posing reflective or thought-provoking questions about the topic that help learners develop an opinion or point of view

To save you time, we've created annotated videos for some of the most popular LabXchange resources, which you can find in the library under the "Annotated Videos" content type!

Check out these annotated videos and start exploring today:

• Secretory Pathway
• How Social Determinants of Health Contribute to Type 2 Diabetes
• Fluorescence as a Biological Tool
• Antibodies–A Brief Introduction