Guiding Question - What are your key points?

In our experience evaluating videos, we've noticed that many fail due to one of two common problems:

1. Information Overload: Packing too many big ideas, facts, and details into one video, leaving viewers overwhelmed. This approach bombards the audience with data, jargon, and concepts they can't fully process in one sitting.
2. Unsubstantiated Claims: Making bold statements without providing enough evidence or context to support them. This leaves viewers disconnected, with nothing concrete to hold onto or remember.

In essence, these videos struggle to find the right balance of information. By using the Outcome and Audience statements we created in the Foundations stage, we can hone in on the appropriate amount of content to share, ensuring it’s clear, engaging, and digestible for viewers.

Theory Corner: Cognitive Load Theory

The foundation of organization lies in Cognitive Load Theory, which focuses on structuring information into manageable, easier-to-process chunks called schemas.

Being an expert doesn’t necessarily mean you’re inherently smarter than a beginner—it simply means you’ve developed schemas that allow you to connect ideas effectively. In other words, you’ve mastered how to organize information because it was presented to you in a clear and digestible way.

When creating videos, our goal is to design content that’s easy for viewers to follow and absorb. This means avoiding unnecessary fluff, cutting out complex jargon, and building on what your audience already understands to create a seamless learning experience.

The Resizing Filter: Choosing the Perfect Fit

How can you find the ideal balance? There are three key factors to keep in mind when selecting the main topics to include.

If you’re staring at a mountain of content, it’s time to start weeding out the unnecessary! Just like tending a garden, removing the extra details allows the essential points to shine. While it might be tempting to include background stories or fun trivia, too much information can overwhelm your audience and increase their cognitive load. Stick to the basics to make your message clear and easy to follow. Focus on what truly matters!

Anchor new information to concepts your audience is already familiar with! If your viewer already understands the basics, reference that knowledge instead of re-explaining it. Introducing new ideas becomes much easier when they’re grounded in an existing framework. Plus, by avoiding over-explanation, you show respect for your audience's intelligence and keep your content engaging and efficient.

Some topics are inherently tough. Take quantum mechanics—it’s going to be complex no matter how you approach it. But by finding the most efficient way to explain it, you can avoid piling extra burden on the learner. Aim for the Minimum Effective Chunk to make even the heaviest subjects feel like a piece of cake to grasp!

Instead of overwhelming your audience with everything about your topic, focus on what they truly need to know to understand the core message. Eliminate any "nice-to-know" details, even if they seem fun or interesting to you. Including too much extra information can distract your viewer from grasping the most critical points.

Reflection:

Take a moment to identify three key points your audience needs to know to achieve the outcome you outlined in Foundations. If you’re finding it challenging to come up with three, don’t worry—we’ll dive into strategies for organizing around a single topic when we discuss Support next.

Go to next course: "Organize - Support"