Heuristic
Cue the part that matters right now
An arrow can be more useful than another paragraph.
When it fits
- A demonstration contains many moving or visually similar parts.
When to avoid it
- Do not encode meaning through colour alone or use flashing effects. A cue must not obscure the underlying content.
Why it matters
Use one restrained cue to identify the part being discussed at that moment. Let the cue follow the explanation, then remove it when attention should move. This is signaling, not a licence to animate every control.
An example
During a load-status demo, a temporary outline marks the transition that means accepted rather than completed.
Check your result
Can the learner name the important change without mistaking the highlight for a separate instruction?
Keep this limit in mind
- Do not encode meaning through colour alone or use flashing effects. A cue must not obscure the underlying content.
Connected ideas
Useful withRemove the interesting detail that teaches nothing
Evidence and sources
Supports
Brame recommends signaling important information with a restrained visual cue in instructional video.
A teaching recommendation, not an independently reviewed causal claim for this exact cue design.
Effective educational videos · Recommendations: Signaling.