Video Studio¶
Turn a plain video into an interactive lesson: drop knowledge checks, callouts, and chapters onto the video's timeline, add captions, and control skipping.
The Video Studio opens on any video block in a lesson. Add a video block first (see Courses & lessons), wait for it to finish transcoding, then click the lightning button on the block row to open the studio. (It shows a count of interactive elements already on that video.)
The layout¶
The studio has three regions:
- The stage: the video preview with standard playback controls, plus a live time readout (
current / total) and counters for elements, checks, captions, and chapters. - The config panel: on the right, showing settings for whichever element you have selected. On a narrow screen it moves below the stage instead.
- The timeline: a scrubbable track running the full length of the video, where interactive elements live as markers.
Transport controls¶
While the studio is focused (and you are not typing in a field), you can drive the video from the keyboard:
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Space | Play / pause |
| ← / → | Step one frame back / forward |
| Click the timeline lane | Scrub the playhead to that point |
Add interactive elements¶
Drag an element from the palette onto the timeline track. It lands at the time you drop it, and a marker appears on the track.
| Element | What learners see |
|---|---|
| Knowledge Check | A question that appears on the video clock |
| Callout | A titled note shown over the video for a set duration |
| Branch | A prompt offering choices for how to continue |
Once placed, click a marker to select it and edit it in the config panel. Drag a marker along the track to retime it, or set an exact Trigger at (seconds) value in the panel. Use Remove to delete the selected element.
Knowledge Check on the timeline¶
Configure the check just as you would an inline knowledge check:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Type | Multiple choice, Multiple select, or True / False |
| Question | The prompt shown to the learner |
| Options | The answer choices; tick the correct one(s) |
| Pause & require to continue | Halt playback until the learner answers |
| Must answer correctly | Require the right answer, not just any answer |
| Allow retries | Let the learner try again |
| Max attempts | Cap retries, or leave blank for unlimited |
| Explanation | Optional note shown after answering |
Blocking checks enforce attention
Combine Pause & require to continue with Must answer correctly to make sure learners actually engage with a point before the video moves on.
Callout on the timeline¶
A callout (note) shows a title and body over the video:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | The callout heading |
| Body | The message |
| Visible for (seconds) | How long it stays on screen |
| Pause while shown | Freeze the video while the callout is up |
Branch¶
A branch presents a prompt and a list of branches (choices) at its point on the timeline. Configure the prompt and add or edit branch labels in the config panel.
Branch routing
Branch elements are configurable and saved with the video today; the routing behavior that jumps learners between paths is being finalized. Set them up now and they will light up when routing ships.
Playback settings¶
Two switches at the top of the stage control how the video behaves for learners:
| Setting | Default | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| No-skip | On | Learners cannot jump ahead past unwatched sections |
| Autoplay | Off | The video starts playing automatically |
No-skip and required checks
With No-skip on, learners must watch through in order, which means they will reach every blocking knowledge check rather than skipping past it.
Captions¶
Upload a WebVTT (.vtt) subtitle file in the Captions field. Once attached, learners get a CC toggle on the player. Remove the file to detach captions.
Producing a .vtt file
Most captioning and transcription tools export WebVTT. Each cue is a start/end timestamp and a line of text; upload the file as-is.
Chapters¶
Chapters let learners jump to sections of the video. In the Chapters field:
- Click + Add chapter; it seeds the current playhead time.
- Enter a time as mm:ss (for example,
2:30) and a chapter title. - Add as many as you need; remove any with the delete icon.
Chapters are sorted by time when you save, and untitled rows are dropped, so you can add them in any order.
Save your work¶
Click Save to store all elements, settings, captions, and chapters. If the course is already published, the button reads Save & publish, and your changes go live as part of the video block. You return to the course editor when the save completes.