Ever used closed captioning? Do you know what the texts at the buttom of a video are? Do you also want to use them in your learning experience? Then keep reading! This blog talks about everything you need to know about closed captioning. From what it is and what it does to why it matters in learning and development. Let’s jump right in.
Table of Contents
What is a Closed Caption?
Closed caption (CC) is a textual representation of the audio within a media file. It makes video accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing people. It provides a time-to-text track as a complement for the audio. It includes all spoken dialogue and non-speech elements such as sound effects (e.g., [door creaking], [thunder]), music cues, and other significant auditory cues. While the text within a closed caption is mainly the dialogue spoken, it can also include non-speech elements like speaker information and sound effects. This is necessary to understand the video’s plot. Closed captions are mainly noted on a video player with a CC icon.
The history of closed caption
As per the Television Decoder Circuitry Act of 1990, all televisions made in the US since the year 1993 must include a built-in caption decoder if the picture tubes are bigger than 13 inches. This law said that viewers should have access to closed captioning in order to understand television content without audio.
In 2000, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made a significant stride in accessibility. It mandated sections of industry-standard EIA-708-B, digital closed captioning implementation into its broadcast regulations. This update now allowed viewers to personalize their captioning experience. Under the new rules, users could adjust the color, size, and font of the closed captions to their preference. Not only that, they could choose from multiple caption streams. This was useful for selecting captions in different languages.
Then, the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act is a testament to our commitment to inclusivity. It states that any newly created or edited video programming must be closed captioned if it is “substantially similar” to the program that is displayed on TV. All prerecorded videos that is shown on television with closed captions must be captioned when offered online unless an exception applies.
How does closed captioning work?
Not sure how closed captioning works, right? Well it’s not rocket science! Here’s a quick look at how closed captioning mainly works:
Step 1: firstly, the audio track of a program is transcribed into text. The text captures dialogue, sound effects, and other relevant audio information.
Step 2: This text is then divided into bite-sized chunks. It is known as caption frames.
Step 3: These caption frames are then synchronized with the video. This is so they appear at the right moment.
Step 4: After that, the captions are encoded into the television signal.
Step 5: A decoder, which can be built into the television or a separate device, interprets this data and displays the captions. Usually, it is shown at the bottom of the screen.
What’s more?
Well after all this work, viewers can activate or deactivate closed captions, usually via the remote or menu option.
Types of Closed Captions
Though closed captions and subtitles are text versions of spoken words, there’s a big difference between closed captioning and subtitles – even though they are often used interchangeably. Let’s find out the difference!
In a nutshell, closed captions (CC) are designed for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing and include all spoken dialogue and non-speech elements, as we already discussed. Now, what are subtitles? Subtitles, on the other hand, are primarily for the viewers who can hear but do not understand the language in which the video is produced. Slightly different, right? Let’s learn more!
Here’s a comparison:
| Feature | Closed Captions | Subtitles |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Primarily for the deaf and hard-of-hearing audience | Primarily for viewers who do not speak the language of the dialogue |
| Content | Include dialogue, background noises, music, and other audio cues | Include only the dialogue |
| Audience | People who cannot hear the audio | People who can hear the audio but need textual representation of the dialogue in either the same or a different language |
| Usage | Closed captions can be turned on or off | Subtitles typically cannot |
| Language | Same as the audio | Can be the same as or different from the audio |
What are the closed captioning requirements in learning and development?
Closed captioning are also needed in learning and development are designed to ensure that educational content is accessible to all types of users. Sometimes the training programs we use uses audios. So closed captioning is important to those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Let’s look why:
1 – Compliance with legal standards
First of all, educational institutions or training programs must adhere to laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This orders captioning on all educational videos to ensure effective communication. Accurate transcriptions are crucial for providing an effective eLearning experience. This involves selecting the right tools and services for transcription, whether it’s automated AI-driven or manual professional transcription. This not only caters to people with hearing disabilities but also helps learners with different learning styles.
To learn more about learning styles, read our blog on, VARK.
2 – Multisensory engagement
As already discussed, closed captions offer text transcripts of spoken content, and this supports learner’s different learning styles. This, in return, fosters an inclusive learning environment. Closed captions also convey meaningful non-verbal information. Such as audio effects, background music, and speaker identification, to provide the complete context of the content. All of this helps learners to retain the said knowledge or skills better.
3 – Adherence to accessibility guidelines
Now, following guidelines like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) ensures that eLearning content is accessible. Accessible to whom? To users with diverse capabilities and requirements. We always have to keep this in mind. Effective closed captioning begins with writing a precise transcript of the media content and synchronizing it with the on-screen action. It is important to test the closed captions before showing them to learners to ensure they meet the requirements of all learners and to improve the captioning process continually.
Meeting these requirements not only aids in compliance but also improves learner engagement, retention, and the overall interactive learning experience. It advances literacy and language comprehension skills by making vocabulary recognition automatic for learners.
Are you willing to add closed captioning in your learning and development programs as well?
Contact us today to integrate closed captions into your training programs and witness the transformation in your team’s learning experience!
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The Benefits of Closed Caption
Knowledge Check!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What do closed captions mean?
A: Closed Caption (CC) is a textual representation of the audio within a media file. It makes video accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing people.
Q: What is the difference between subtitles and CC?
A: Closed captions (CC) are designed for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing and include all spoken dialogue and non-speech elements. Now, subtitles, on the other hand, are primarily for the viewers who can hear but do not understand the language in which the video is produced.
Q: What is an example of a closed caption?
A: An example of closed captions might look like:
[soft music playing in the background]
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