MediaSpace: Video Hotspots

This guide provides a detailed step-by-step process for creating interactive video hotspots in MediaSpace, allowing users to enhance video content with clickable areas that link to additional resources. It includes essential best practices such as strategic placement, clear calls to action, and ensuring mobile compatibility, to optimize viewer engagement and interaction.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Video Hotspots in MediaSpace

Creating video hotspots in MediaSpace is an excellent way to enhance interactive video content by embedding clickable areas within a video that can link to additional information, resources, or external websites. This feature can significantly improve viewer engagement and provide a richer learning experience. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create video hotspots within MediaSpace, along with some best practices for their effective use.

Access MediaSpace

1. Log In to MediaSpace:
   • Open your web browser and log into my.mines.edu with your Mines credentials.
   • Navigate to the MediaSpace tile within my.mines.edu or use the url, mediaspace.mines.edu.
     

Select a Video

2. Navigate to Your Video:
   • Click on My Media to access your video library.
     
   • Select the video you want to enhance with hotspots by clicking on its title.

Open the Video Editor

3. Launch the Video Editor:
   • Beneath the video player, click on the Actions drop-down menu.
   • Select Launch Editor to open the video editing interface.
     

Add Hotspots

4. Access the Hotspot Tool:
   • Within the video editor, locate and select the Hotspots tool from the menu options.
     
5. Create Hotspots:
   • Play the video and pause at the time you want to add a hotspot.
   • Click on the Video to create a new hotspot and resize or move the hotspot to the desired location on the video.
     
   • Enter a Text Description as well as the URL or Time in this Video you want the hotspot to link to.
     

Configure Hotspot Settings

6. Customize Appearance:
   • Click on Advanced Settings to further configure your hotspot.
   • Customize the hotspot’s appearance, such as its Text Color & Size, Roundness, Background Color, Position, etc. to make it noticeable without disrupting the video content.
     

Preview and Adjust

7. Preview Your Hotspots:
   • Preview the video within the editor to see how the hotspots work in real-time. Ensure that they are correctly timed and placed as intended.
   • Make any necessary adjustments to optimize visibility and functionality.

Save and Publish

8. Save Your Changes:

   • Once you are satisfied with the placement and functionality of the hotspots, click Save to apply the changes.

9. Test the Video:

   • Ensure the video is published with the new hotspots active, so viewers can interact with them.

Best Practices for Using Video Hotspots in MediaSpace

• Strategic Placement: Place hotspots at strategic points in the video where additional context or resources can enhance understanding. Avoid overcrowding the video with too many hotspots.

• Clear Call to Action: Make sure each hotspot has a clear and concise call to action. Viewers should understand what to expect when they click on a hotspot.

• Keep Mobile Users in Mind: Ensure hotspots are large enough to be easily clickable on mobile devices.

• Test on Multiple Devices: Preview your hotspots on different devices and browsers to ensure compatibility and functionality.

• Analytics Tracking: Utilize MediaSpace analytics to track interactions with your hotspots. This data can help you understand viewer preferences and improve future video content.

• Update Regularly: Keep the linked content from hotspots up-to-date to maintain relevance and accuracy over time.