The Structure of Learning

It may seem obvious that we learn everything in stages, just like how we learn to crawl, then stand, then walk, then run. Yet, it is a good lesson to come back to again and again when you're creating any kind of educational tool. Each time I sit down to make a video, I ask myself what the core of the video (or lesson) is. I try to, as simply as possible, explain this core concept without any additional information at the very start of the video, and expand from there.

To achieve this I follow the tried and tested method of getting everyone on a base level of understanding regarding this topic. Some people may know most of your lesson already, but it is far worse to have a group of people who are lost as soon as they start watching your video, rather than a group of people who see the first minute of your video as a refresher of previous knowledge. You can see this come into play in the passwords and protection video, where the opening deals only with how to set a password on a document you already own.

In fact, you can see a fairly clear map of each stage of learning in this tutorial.

• Step 1: Crawl by learning where all of these options are(in the save as menu). You're not actually creating a password yet, but it is vital information for very new users.

• Step 2: Stand by creating a password, and testing it works by checking if the 'replace existing file' option comes up. Re-opening the document and entering a password is important at this stage, as it gives the user firm feedback as to whether their own attempt is working correctly.

• Step 3: Walk by giving the user additional options and places to go, in this case showing them how to create 'read-only' or 'only edit with password' documents. This combines the two processes of practicing and expanding on the core concept.

• Step 4: Run by handing the reigns over to the user. At this point I make the suggestion that the user can intermix and test these options themselves as they become more conversant with the program. I also provide a couple of examples of how this intermixing would work, without covering every eventuality.

This whole process might be giving you flashbacks to your high-school math class, with each new concept involving practice, expansion of concept, and practice again, until the student can take on the entire spectrum of the concept by themselves and apply it when appropriate.

If you have any comments or suggestions please get in touch through the comments here or on my youtube channel. I'm always open to different view points and constructive criticism. And if you want a professionally made tutorial, e-mail me here.

Your Online Shopfront

Product overview videos are part of your virtual shopfront.

As mentioned in my last post, my Overview video is not for people who are already using OpenOffice/LibreOffice, or want to download it. The overview video is not there to deal with specific questions.

It is aimed squarely at people who wanted to be sold on OpenOffice/LibreOffice.

There are so many different ways to give an overview. I have seen lots of very different overviews for different things online. However, when people ask for an overview, or search your website, or even when they put “[Product] Overview” or “[Product] Overview tutorial” into google, what they often want to know is:

“Can you sell me on [Product]?”

An overview tutorial video is part of your virtual shop front. It is seen by multiple people; all asking the same question, but expecting slightly different answers.

You can't help every one of those people all in one video. You're best bet is to construct that video so that it appeals to as many people as possible. It can't be too long, it can't be too complex, nor should it cover things which are too simple(such as “how do I save a document?”). It needs to be 'just right', to draw in the largest audience, while turning away no one.

There will always be those who can't be helped by the usual answers, and who find this 'virtual shop front' never gives them enough information for a decision. For them, this video needs to show you are welcoming, knowledgable and helpful. From there they should feel comfortable to ask you their more specific questions.

If you have any comments or suggestions please get in touch through the comments here or on my youtubechannel. I'm always open to different view points and constructive criticism. And if you want a professionally made tutorial, e-mail me here.

Only answer the question being asked.

My first video is a simple one which shows how to install and run non-apple programs on mac OSX Mountain Lion. You might wonder why this is my first video. Well, I was originally going to start into a series on OpenOffice, but before I could even begin I found I was unable to get into the program because of my computer's permissions. I immediately realised that this was a common issue, and that I could potentially loose a significant portion of my OpenOffice audience if viewers on MACs were unable to install the program in the first place.

I did not want the installation of the application to be a part of the overview tutorial. I have seen a lot of other tutorials out there that put the installation and overview (or first impression, or whatever) in the same video. I think this is a patently bad idea. Lets disregard the fact that this is a way of installing for only one type of operating system out of the many that will use OpenOffice. Installing something means that you are already sold on it. If you're watching an overview you're probably not sold yet on the product. If you are sold on it and you are watching an overview, you want to see the program working. Either way, this in no way relates to solving a problem in which you can't get the program to work. You will have two different groups searching for two very different questions relating to your product. Giving them the same answer to both questions will lose audience on both sides. Interested viewers will immediately see flaws in your product. Viewers who have already committed to downloading the program will search an answer, see a 10-20 minute video, and decide to go elsewhere to get their answer.

It doesn't really matter which video is posted first, so long as viewers of my overview tutorial can quickly and easily find the installation tutorial immediately. I decided to put this one up first, because I have another post idea planned for the overview tutorial.

If you have any comments or suggestions please get in touch through the comments here or on my youtubechannel. I'm always open to different view points and constructive criticism. And if you want a professionally made tutorial, e-mail me here.

Welcome to my blog.

I'm Robert, a Film and TV graduate with a passion for educating through media. In my route to starting this blog I have worked for a few different organizations, but always have had Media production and Education at the core of my work. I decided to start the blog because as time went on I have moved closer and closer to a happy medium between the two spheres.

I have always been fascinated with how a video tutorial seems to engage on a very different level than a technical manual, or a written description. They can be teaching the exact same set of skills, but bite sized videos are received very differently than chapters and sub-headings. This opinion isn't held by everyone, but there is a growing number of people who want technical videos instead of technical manuals, cooking shows instead of cook books and so on.

My goal with this blog is to talk about my passion for making tutorials, while explaining a little about my processes in making them. I will use examples from the videos that I make, and will post them here so that you can understand the reasoning behind my choices. It is also a place for potential clients to see my work, and understand my processes when making a video.

There are many software programs out there, with more being produced all the time. A large part of my tutorial work is turning the technical manuals for these programs into easy to understand video form. However video, unlike text, has some aspects that can affect the quality of learning greatly. Often sound quality and meandering dialogue, or even poor visuals can get in the way of the potential learner. A good video tutorial is just like a good technical manual in its need for thoughtful construction.

If you have any comments or suggestions please get in touch through the comments here or on my youtubechannel. I'm always open to different view points and constructive criticism. And if you want a professionally made tutorial, e-mail me here.