Create interactive training videos in 160+ languages
Have you ever been told to add a poll to a Zoom training to "make it more interactive"? As if giving people a question to respond to at the beginning or end of a webinar would transform the experience.
People often equate interactivity with engagement, and therefore “good training.”
But adding buttons to click or something to swipe doesn’t change learning outcomes.
What is an interactive training video?
A training video is interactive when the learner is prompted to do something. That could mean making a decision, answering a question, or sharing feedback.
Interactivity exists on a spectrum. On one end, you might have a single interaction point, such as a knowledge check at the end of a microlearning. On the other end, you might have a branching scenario, where each decision leads to a different outcome and feedback is provided along the way.
There is no "right" number of interactions in a training video. One intentionally placed interaction can transform a training, while too many can start to work against it. That's because interactivity doesn't automatically translate into engagement.
What’s the difference between interactivity and engagement?
I often see the terms interactivity and engagement used interchangeably. It's easy to conflate the two (I've certainly done it), so let's make sure we're aligned.
Interactivity is about the structure of the learning experience. It's observable actions like clicking through a scenario or answering a question.
Engagement is about what's happening in someone's head while they go through the training. It's the degree to which they're processing and applying what they're learning.
Interactivity is how the experience is built. Engagement is what it produces. And importantly, interactivity doesn't automatically lead to engagement.
Types of interactivity in training videos
The right type of interactivity depends on what you want learners to be able to do after watching the training video. Start by asking yourself: after watching this video, what should someone be able to do differently? And how will you measure that change?
Once that outcome is clear, you can use it to decide what kind of interaction makes sense. I've broken down the most common types of interactivity in training videos, and given examples of when to use them.
How to create interactive training videos with AI
There are a few reasons you might be here. Maybe you've tried training video before but it didn't drive the engagement you were hoping for. Maybe you have a training that's currently delivered live and you want to make it available on demand to reduce costs and reach more people. Or maybe you have a new idea you're ready to build.
Whatever the starting point, the process in Synthesia is the same: give the AI Assistant the right inputs, shape the experience around your learner, and add interactivity where it supports the outcome you defined. This isn't a linear process. You'll move back and forth between these phases as you build and refine.
💡 There are a range of options available to create and deliver interactive training videos, from full-service production studios to AI platforms. If you want a deeper breakdown, you can explore our guide to training video production tools and companies. If you want to see how the process works in Synthesia, keep reading.
Define your outcome
Whether you're uploading existing content, starting fresh, or rebuilding a previous video, you need to articulate a clear outcome before you open any tool.
Define it like this: After watching this video, [role] should be able to [complete a specific task] in [context], without [common errors or support].
If the outcome isn't observable, the video will be difficult to design and even harder to measure.
Generate a first draft
Upload what you already have into our text to video tool. That could be a slide deck, a transcript from a live session, an SOP, or a recording from a previous training. Or it could be the outcome you just identified.
Synthesia's AI assistant will use it as a starting point and shape it into a first draft. The more specific your prompt, the stronger the draft.
💡Tip: If you're starting without existing materials, you can also start with our AI scripting tool or these script templates.
Shape the experience
Once you have a draft, review it scene by scene for clarity and flow. The goal is to reduce cognitive load: every design decision, from the visuals to the voice, should help the learner focus on the task (don't distract them with catchy music or a cheery voice talking through a serious safety topic.)
Select an avatar that feels appropriate, and customize their attire and background to align with the setting. For instance, you might put our electrical engineer from the earlier example in PPE in an industrial setting near an electrical panel.
Then find a voice that suits the tone. Voices are organized by region with descriptions like "approachable" or "authoritative." Preview a few and find one that feels right for your work environment. If you're unsure, test it with a colleague.
Finally, listen to the narration carefully before moving on. Check specifically for proper nouns like your company name, software tools, and any corporate jargon to make sure everything sounds right.
Add interactions
Now you can decide which interactions best support your learning outcome. The types table earlier in this guide can help you choose. If you need to reinforce a procedure, like PPE safety, a knowledge check after a demonstration confirms understanding. A branching scenario can show the consequences of not following the procedure correctly.
Moderation is key. One well-placed interaction can transform a training video. Too many can work against it.
Refine and pilot
Before you publish, loop in a subject matter expert or a colleague who represents your target learner. Ask them to go through the video as if they were completing it for the first time.
For interactive training specifically, you want to know two things: is the content clear, and are the interactions working as intended? Are the decision points realistic? Are the knowledge checks reinforcing the right things, or do they feel like an afterthought?
You can do this as a live session where you observe and take notes, or async with a few targeted questions. Either way, avoid open-ended prompts like "what did you think?" Ask specifically about the moments where learners are asked to respond or decide.
Take the feedback and refine before you publish.
Publish and localize
Once you're satisfied with your video, publish it through your LMS, embed it in your internal tools, or share it directly via Synthesia. If you're using an LMS, export as a SCORM or xAPI package to enable completion tracking and interaction data (more on why that matters in a bit).
If you have a global team, this is also the time to decide if, and how, your video will be localized (Synthesia supports 160+ languages).
▶️ If you want to see how this process comes together in minutes, watch this video.
Interactive video templates
If this is your first time creating a training video and you're looking for a tried-and-true structure, I recommend starting with a template instead. Designed by our instructional designers, these templates offer a structure backed by learning science, so you can focus on the content rather than the design.
Synthesia offers a range of interactive training video templates built around common interaction patterns, which you can adapt to your specific training. Here's an editable example for you to try.
How to measure the impact of interactive training videos
At some point, someone is going to ask whether the investment in interactive training was worth it. That means building a business case grounded in evidence, and interactive training gives you more to work with than passive video.
- Early signals. Are people engaging with the interaction points, or moving through without thinking? Look at completion rates, drop-off, and interaction clicks.
- Learning signals. Are they making the right choices in context? Look at assessment scores and branch-decision accuracy.
- Performance signals. Is it changing how they work? Look at time-to-competency, interaction quality, and on-the-job behavior.
Take Avetta, a global leader in supply chain risk management. By incorporating interactive video into onboarding and just-in-time learning for 150 support agents, they saw 20% faster ramp-to-proficiency, a 19% improvement in new hire interaction quality within two months, and a 16 second reduction in average call handling time.
To track these signals, you need to go back to your publishing plan. Publishing via SCORM or xAPI, or directly from Synthesia, is what connects your interactive training to your LMS and unlocks data like completion rates, interaction clicks, branch decisions, and quiz responses.
💡 For a deeper look at how to build the business case, see our guide to training ROI.
Amy Vidor, PhD is a Learning & Development Evangelist at Synthesia, where she researches learning trends and helps organizations apply AI at scale. With 15 years of experience, she has advised companies, governments, and universities on skills.
Frequently asked questions
What is interactivity in training videos?
Interactivity in training videos refers to how the learning experience is structured and what learners are asked to do as they progress. It often includes decision points, scenario-based questions, or moments where learners choose how to respond.
Well-designed interactivity creates situations where learners need to think through a problem, consider options, and act. These moments help connect the content to real work situations, making it easier to apply later.
What is an example of interactive training?
A common example is a scenario where a learner is placed in a realistic situation and asked how they would respond. In a customer service module, for instance, the learner might choose how to handle a difficult conversation and then see how that choice plays out.
This approach allows learners to practice judgment in context.
What tools do you use to make interactive training videos?
There are a variety of tools available for creating interactive training videos, from eLearning authoring tools, to native LMS functionality, to video platforms including those powered by AI.
The right choice depends on your tech stack and measurement goals.
What’s the difference between interactivity and engagement in training?
Interactivity describes how the learning experience is designed. It focuses on the actions learners take, such as making decisions or responding to prompts.
Engagement reflects the level of cognitive involvement. It shows up when learners are actively processing what they see, connecting it to their work, and applying it in context.
Strong training design uses interactivity to support that deeper level of thinking.
What types of interactive training videos are most common?
Several formats are widely used, depending on the goal of the training. Quizzes and knowledge checks are often used to reinforce understanding. Branching scenarios are useful when learners need to practice decisions in context. Hotspots can guide exploration in software or physical environments. Some videos also include prompts or actions that connect the training to a real task or next step.
Each format supports a different type of learning, from recall to application to decision-making.
Can interactive training videos be used in an LMS?
Yes, interactive training videos can be integrated into most learning management systems. Many platforms support SCORM or xAPI exports, which allow teams to upload content, assign it to specific groups, and track completion.
This setup also makes it possible to monitor how learners move through the experience, including responses to questions or decision points.
How do you measure the effectiveness of interactive training videos?
Measurement should reflect how learning progresses from participation to performance. Early indicators include completion rates and interaction data. From there, teams often look at how well learners understand key concepts and how confidently they respond to scenarios.
The most meaningful signals come from application. This includes changes in behavior, improvements in task performance, or reductions in errors in real work situations.
Can AI create interactive training videos?
AI can support many parts of the process, including scripting, video generation, and localization. It also makes it easier to update content as procedures or environments change.
The quality of the training still depends on how the experience is designed. Interactions need to reflect real decisions and situations so that learners can practice applying what they learn.
