Tech Video Tutorials
In this assignment students are to create a 20-25 (no more, no less) minute video that teaches the viewer how to use The Wireframer to make wireframe mockup diagrams. Think of this as an introduction to this tool for a novice user (i.e. a Tutorial). It should be carefully scripted so as to walk the user through a big-picture introduction and detailed demonstration of use. Note, of course, quality visual aids help. By watching this video the user will understand what the application is for, what the application's capabilities are, and how to use it.
First things first, learn the market
Your first task is to educate yourself on what a mockup tool is. Go out on the market and find other tools to play around with a bit, like Figma and Moqups. Get a feel for what these things can be used to do and how they work. It's important that you are informed about a product marketplace when using a product. You want to know what these things are for and what good products out there in the marketplace are capable of.
Use the Product
Before you get started with your video you'll need to become intimately familiar with the product. Try making real mockup diagrams with it and learn how to use it to do all sorts of things. You'll want to be skilled at using it when you demonstrate its use during the tutorial so be sure to learn its ins and outs.
Learn from the best
There are many content creators online making great tech tutorials on how to use all sorts of things. One popular creator is the Net Ninja, who creates high quality tutorials for all sorts of Web technologies. Make sure you watch many such tutorials and follow along. Use those technologies, implement what he is doing so that you learn what you find effective and not effective. Make a list of the things you like about these videos. Good tutorials should:
- Be Correct
- Have Good Visuals
- Demonstrate Proper Use and Technique
- Have a Carefully Crafted Script
- Be logically structured (beginning, middle, end)
- Target the proper audience
- Be Clear and Concise
- Be Carefully Edited
- Be Engaging (i.e. not boring)
- Show Adequate level of detail, but not get lost in the weeds
- Educate
Outline your story
First you're going to need to choose your approach and then decide what you are going to cover. Come up with a rough sketch of what your tutorial will include. What features will you be showing, and how long will you spend on each detail? Time management approximations will be important. Divide the presentation into carefully segmented sections and create a rough outline with all the points you wish to make. Give your different sections titles to help you remember what will go where. Division of content is important.
Plan your visuals and demonstrations
For each of the points and your sections decide what the best way of communicating this information will be. Should it include pictures or graphics? Demonstrations? Live demonstrations are a very important part of this assignment so figure out what you will be demonstrating when and figure out how much time you'll need for each part. For this tutorial I would recommend making something interesting with the tool that demonstrates why it might be useful in the first place.
Write your Script
Fill in your outline with a carefully written script that you will use for your narration during your presentation. Note that you're not going to want it to sound like you're reading from a script so you're going to need to practice so that it sounds more natural. Your script should tell the story you want your viewers to hear, walking them through the full features of your application. Read the script aloud clearly in a measured tone that emphasizes important points. Read it offline first and time yourself so that it suits the alotted time.
Record
Once you have your visuals and script worked out you can then start recording each piece. Note that you'll want your video to be consistent throughout. It should not look like it was made by different people with different technologies and equiqment and different styles at different times. Use a consistent font, audio levels, resolution, colors scheme, everything.
Edit
Once you have recorded all the pieces you'll need to fit them together into a cohesive presentation. Watch your work over and over again to make sure it flows properly from one section into the next. Does it follow your desired logical order? Is it easy to understand? Easy to follow? Edit out all mistakes. Re-record sections if necessary.
Polish
Do your best to make something that is flawless. Think of something you might want to show to a prospective employer, something for your portfolio. Creating great content is habit-forming, so get into that habit. Enjoy the assignment, perhaps it's the start of a whole new YouTube career.
Handin Instructions
Submit your .mp4 file to Blackboard before lecture on the due date.