Putting together your own video-based learning program takes time and effort. Our 10-step guide will help you stay on track so you can make effective eLearning videos:
Figure out who you want to reach and what your main goal is. This should be the basis of everything you do, both before and after production.
Match the right video eLearning format to your target audience. If you do this right, you'll get more people interested and keep them interested longer.
Think about your content. Is it a simple talking head video (cue your SME interviewee) or an animated video with slides, a quiz, and a voice over?
Write a script and make a storyboard. Plan out your audio and video content and stick to it.
Make a filming schedule. Who do you need and when do you need them to make this happen?
On the day of filming, make sure you have all the mics, cameras, and props you need, as well as the right technical help (directors, runners, sound, and lighting bods).
Give yourself time for post-production. As you put everything together, think about your audience and your goal at every step.
Make sure your video is accessible. Can everyone in your target audience watch it?
Make the video public. Whether it's an onboarding video for a new employee or phase one of an ongoing learning campaign, time the release so that it has the most impact and gets the most people involved.
Figure out how well it worked. Write down feedback, keep track of how it was used when you can, and use what you've learned for your next project.
You don't need a huge collection of technical tools to make good eLearning videos. You just need to look at the different options and choose the best video software for your needs and budget. In fact, keeping things simple is often the best way to go, no matter how much money you have. But it does need to look like it was done by a pro.
So, what tools and resources do you need to get a professional result? Here's what we know.
In its simplest form, all you need to make a great eLearning video is a laptop or smartphone with a camera, a good microphone, and an in-app recording system. Put it on YouTube or Vimeo and let your team know. Job done.
If you have PowerPoint or Keynote, you can add sound to a set of slides and save the result as a movie. Easy.
Screencasting, which involves recording what's on your computer screen and adding a voiceover, is a good and cheap way to make "How to" guides, product or technical training videos. There are a lot of free tools out there. Look for one that lets you edit so you can divide your content into sections that are easy to read.
And don't forget. If you use an LMS, you have even more options and they cost less. You can make full courses by combining your videoconferencing tools, making your own videos, and uploading your own recordings.
Tip: YouTube has a lot of room for creativity.
If you're on a tight budget, don't underestimate how YouTube can help you expand and improve your learning through videos. YouTube can help you improve visual engagement, interaction, and social learning, whether you are making your own videos or putting together online training content.
