Interactive video for learning: A review of interaction types, commercial platforms, and design guidelines

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a sharp increase of research in employing interactive video for learning. More researchers study both the functional and cognitive interactivity affordances of educational interactive video and try to identify the learning effectiveness of the various supported interactions. In this study, we aim at providing a review of the interactivity types and their educational value based on the analysis of 18 studies and 13 commercial interactive video environments. We also analyze whether the commercial environments keep up with the research trends. Finally, we provide specific design guidelines for developing effective educational interactive videos. Such holistic review approaches help to promote the research field in everyday educational environments but also reveal its promises and gaps. The educational interactive video seems to be a fast-changing field which needs further inquiry, while the available commercial platforms have just started to incorporate functionality proposed in the literature.