The Visual Lounge

What Research Says About AI Avatars in Learning

Should AI avatars replace human presenters?In part two of this research series on The Visual Lounge, host Matt Pierce is joined again by TechSmith Senior Market Researcher Stephanie Warnoff to discuss the latest findings from TechSmith's research on AI avatars in instructional video.Building on episode 275 about AI voices, this conversation explores how different on-screen presenter styles affect viewer perception and information retention.The study compares multiple formats, including human presenters, AI avatars, and alternative visual approaches. You’ll learn about common misconceptions teams have about avatars, why viewer reactions often differ from stated preferences, and where avatars may help or hurt depending on context.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 – 01:40 Intro01:40 – 03:45 What surprised Stephanie most in her findings on AI avatars03:45 – 05:20 The five video snippets used during the study05:20 – 08:27 How are perspectives around AI changing?08:27 – 11:25 When to use avatars, and when not to use avatars11:25 – 13:35 The impact of avatars on learning13:35 – 15:17 Stephanie’s advice on implementing AI avatars into work15:17 – 17:03 Stephanie's tips to people who are reluctant to use AI avatars17:03 – 18:29 Questions that Stephanie would like to answer in future research18:29 – 19:42 Matt's take on the research19:42 – 21:14 Stephanie's advice for people interested and how to get involved with TechSmith research21:14 – 21:59 Stephanie's final take21:59 OutroImportant links and mentions:Connect with Stephanie: research@techsmith.comLearn more about the study in this blog post: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/ai-voices-avatars-in-training-videos/Check out part one of this research series, episode 275, on AI voices: https://the-visual-lounge.captivate.fm/episode/275-ai-voices-impact-on-learning/

AI Voices: Impact on Learning

How much does audio really affect learning? And does it matter whether that voice is human or AI?In this episode, Matt sits down with Stephanie Warnoff, Senior Market Researcher at TechSmith, to walk through new research that looks at how audio quality and AI narration influence learning outcomes, perceived professionalism, and retention in instructional video.The study, conducted by TechSmith, was built around a simple experiment. Participants watched the same 45-second how-to video, with the visuals kept the same each time. The only variable was the audio. Viewers heard one of four versions: high-quality human narration, low-quality human narration, high-quality AI narration, and low-quality AI narration. What the team found was...surprising.Throughout the conversation, Matt and Stephanie explore what the results mean for teams creating training and instructional content, especially as AI tools become easier to access.This episode is part 1 of a two-part research series. Stay tuned for episode 2, where Matt and Stephanie take a closer look at the second half of the study, focusing on AI avatars, and how different avatar styles compare with human presenters in real learning contexts.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 - 01:19 Intro01:19 - 02:53 Stephanie's background02:53 - 04:59 TechSmith’s research on AI voices04:59 - 06:14 The four audio versions used during the study and how the experiment was structured06:14 - 07:47 What surprised Stephanie about the AI voices07:47 - 10:58 Is there a need for disclosure with AI?10:58 - 15:37 Signals for high quality voices15:37 - 18:04 Why poor audio quality performed better than high audio quality18:04 - 20:34 Other considerations for effectiveness of learning through AI20:34 - 23:08 Future research23:08 - 26:22 Closing thoughts26:22 - 27:01 Stephanie's final take27:01 - 28:00 OutroImportant links and mentions:Connect with Stephanie: research@techsmith.comLearn more about the study in this blog post: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/ai-voices-avatars-in-training-videos/

What SMEs Actually Need from Instructional Designers

Have you ever struggled to get the information you need from a subject matter expert? Or maybe you're the expert (SME), and you're not quite sure what the instructional designer actually wants from you?In this episode, host Matt Pierce explores what subject matter experts actually need from instructional designers (IDs) to do their best work. Drawing from his experience on both sides of the dynamic, Matt breaks down seven key principles for building a strong SME-ID partnership that leads to better learning outcomes.From being specific with requests and setting clear boundaries, to giving early feedback and closing the loop on how information gets used, Matt offers practical guidance for creating a smoother, more productive working relationship.Matt also explores how video can strengthen communication between SMEs and IDs, whether that's recording verbal feedback, providing quick status updates, or simply adding a personal touch that helps you stand out in a busy SME's inbox.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 - 01:26 Introduction and the SME-ID dynamic01:26 - 03:25 Respecting SME time and being specific with requests03:25 - 05:57 Setting clear guardrails and context before asking for content05:57 - 08:11 Helping SMEs remember what it's like to be a beginner08:11 - 09:57 The importance of early, actionable feedback09:57 - 12:18 Pushing back when expertise doesn't serve the learner12:18 - 14:06 Giving SMEs something to react to rather than starting from nothing14:06 - 18:22 Closing the loop and using video to strengthen communication18:22 - 21:01 Matt’s final take and outroImportant links and mentions:Camtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/Snagit: https://www.techsmith.com/snagit/Audiate: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/audiate/

Why Stories and Visuals Matter More Than Ever in Times of Change

Change is emotional. Even when the strategy is solid, people still feel uncertain, skeptical, or overwhelmed, especially when the vision feels huge and the path feels unclear.In this revisited episode of The Visual Lounge (originally Episode 168), Matt sits down with Jake Gittleson, who leads McKinsey’s Learning Research and Innovation Lab. Jake shares why storytelling is one of the most effective tools L&D teams have for supporting change inside organisations.Instead of trying to persuade people in one big moment, Jake explains why change stories should be shared over time, through small experiments, human insights, and incremental updates that meet people where they are. He also breaks down practical ways to gather stories through interviews, outline your narrative, and use video and audio to create connection, without needing expensive gear or a polished production setup.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 - 01:21 Introduction01:21 - 02:03 Jake’s background02:03 - 04:14 How Jake started using audio and video04:14 - 07:01 What does a successful change look like07:01 - 08:45 Creativity as a tip for using video at work08.45 - 11:55 Jake’s role and expertise in change and innovation11:55 - 15:11 Why human connection matters in change15:11 - 18:13 Operationalizing storytelling without big budgets18:13 - 21:13 Building the right stories21:13 - 27:10 Visual approaches to telling stories27:10 - 30:21 Capturing real voices30:21 - 39:51 Speed round39:51 - 40:46 Jake’s final take40:46 OutroImportant links and mentions:Connect with Jake on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-gittleson/Check out The Learning Geeks podcast: https://www.learninggeekspod.com/Listen to Jake’s first appearance on The Visual Lounge in episode 168: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/ee9c311f-7f51-4a6c-a749-c2d7090a1274

End-of-Year Tips and Holiday Cheer from the TechSmith Team

As the new year starts, it’s the perfect time to reflect (and look forward) on how we create and communicate learning content.In this special episode of The Visual Lounge, Matt is joined by some TechSmith team members (or TechSmithies!) who share their favourite tips, shortcuts, and features in Snagit and Camtasia. These are real workflows used every day to support creators, teams, and organizations.From speeding up video editing with simple keyboard shortcuts, to collaborating without meetings, to building consistency across projects, this episode is packed with practical insider tips from our TechSmithies that you can start using right away.It’s also a moment to say thank you to The Visual Lounge community for tuning in, sharing feedback, and being part of the conversation throughout the year.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 - 00:39 Intro 00:39 - 01:31 Matt’s most used features in Camtasia 01:31 - 02:55 A look back on a great year02:55 - 03:20 Happy Holidays from Cameron, Senior Customer Care Specialist at TechSmith03:20 - 05:41 Collaboration workflow in Camtasia Online05:41 - 08:20 How presets in SnagIt make your life easier08:20 - 08:48 Capturing text directly with Snagit08:48 - 10:51 Using placeholders in Camtasia10:51 Looking forward to the year aheadImportant links and mentions:Explore TechSmith: https://www.techsmith.com/ Learn more about Snagit: https://www.techsmith.com/snagit/ Learn more about Camtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/ Explore Camtasia AI: https://camtasia.ai/