I believe that most people are “experiential learners”. I know that I definitely am. An “experiential learner” is someone who learns through experience or “by doing”, as opposed to learning passively through lectures or book learning.
If you are an experiential learner there is an amazing new training tool that is starting to sweep the Web and it’s called “Online Video Tutorials”.
About 18 months ago I was at a Web site, the name of which I’ve long since forgotten, when I was told to click on a link to actually “see a video demo” of whatever software tool that site was promoting.
Well, I did click on that link, and in that instant my online world was changed forever! There, right on my screen appeared an actual video point-and-click demonstration with an audio track explaining exactly what was going on in real-time! I was truly amazed! I had never seen such a powerful learning/training tool online before!
It uses what is known as “screen capture video” and it IS an amazing way to learn. It actually walks you through the software program that is being demonstrated, click-by-click and screen-by-screen. Nothing is left to guesswork.
You can replay it as many times as you like, until you “get it”.
So, when I was creating my recent book/ebook “How-To Write A How-To Book (or eBook)” I made sure that I covered the use of these screen capture videos. They can be used to create how-to videos and tutorials that will complement any kind of how-to book.
I’m going to give you a link here so that you can try one of the video tutorials that I have created as an extension of my how-to book that I just mentioned.
To play these videos, all you need is the free Macromedia Flash Player plug-in installed on your PC. There’s a good chance that you already have Flash installed. If you don’t, you can do that in a few seconds for free at the following link:
The Video Tutorial that I’m going to share with you here is one I did for my how-to book that explains How To Create an Automatic Table of Contents in MS-Word, for any document. Just click on the following link to play this video tutorial:
The total playing time of this video is a little over 6 minutes.
I apologise in advance for the amateur quality of the audio narration but I’m not a professional voice-over pro - I’m learning that as I go.
Nevertheless, I’m sure that playing this video will convince you of the power of video tutorials as a way to learn through “seeing and hearing” exactly what to do.
I would really be interested in your feedback on this type of video learning tool. If you have anything to say on this please post your comments in the box below. Thanks.
May 27th, 2006 at 10:55 pm
Shaun
As an educator I’ve been using this type of medium for quite a few years. It is very good for instructional purposes as you say and makes much more sense to the average Joe than text or audio alone. I use Camtasia, which may be what you are using. You could produce a better job if the screen size was reduced so as not to need to scrawl up and down.
Good luck.
Robin
May 28th, 2006 at 1:24 pm
Thanks Robin,
I guess as an educator you’ve been at the leading-edge of the use of this technology. An “early adopter” perhaps. However, this technology has only caught hold relatively recently in the online circles that I travel in. Thanks for your technical suggestions.
All the best… Shaun
May 28th, 2006 at 5:38 pm
Google
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May 30th, 2006 at 3:07 am
Hello Shaun,
This is an interesting article, but you forgot to include the link so I have not seen the video.
Please can you attach the link and send to me.
Thank you.