Scenario-Based E-Learning

Screencast Tutorials and Software Simulations: Screencast tutorials are a great way to quickly show your audience how to use a piece of software. They are a type of instructional video where you record your screen and accompanying narration as you demonstrate how to use a piece of software, website, or web application I have extensive experience creating screencast tutorials for a wide array of applications. The primary tool that I use to create screencast tutorials is Camtasia. It is the leading product in this space and it allows me to create professional videos that focus the learner's attention through the use of callouts, annotations, highlights, zooming, and captions along with interactive elements. These elements aid in drawing attention to specific parts of the screen and to provide additional information, where appropriate.
Why are screencast tutorials so in-demand?
I am typically contacted when a department is experiencing challenges relating to too many people using a program incorrectly, causing them a significant amount of work fixing the mistakes of others or retraining frequent offenders.
How do these projects kick off?
My process involves working side-by-side with the person(s) closest to the problem. The conversation starts with me asking questions to get at the root of the problem. In our first meetings, I am trying to understand what specifically people are doing wrong. I collect available data, for example from helpdesk tickets and email requests for assistance. Sometimes it will make sense to allow the problem to persist for a little while, as I guide the subject expert on how to collect and document the errors. Depending on the specific needs of the client, I may also speak with users or observe in their retraining to better understand why they are making these errors. This analysis phase is foundational in creating a working solution.
Is retraining the best solution?
Sometimes we learn that the problem is not user error as much as it is poor user UI/UX design, and I turn the project over to IT with the relevant documentation including my recommendations on how they may resolve the issue.
What does the process of developing a screencast tutorials look like?
When user error is the problem, and we have a good understanding of what people are doing wrong and why, we can start the process of developing a transcript for the video. Ideally, we have a prioritized backlog of the most common mistakes being made and we organize and develop our screencast tutorial or software tutorial around addressing those issues first. This is in line with Adult Learning Theory and Agile Project Management. Once the first draft of the transcript is complete, I typically send it out to a wider audience of people familiar with the problem for their input and feedback.
Recording and Editing
I use the final transcript to record the screencast using Camtasia and a studio microphone for clear and crisp audio. I edit the video and the audio to deliver my client a polished, high-quality final product. After trimming the video in Camtasia, I make use of the array of features that allow me to focus the learner's attention. Camtasia also has features that allow me to make the video interactive—for example, requiring the learners to click on an area of the screen or to answer a multiple-choice question before proceeding. Once the video is completed, and depending on the number of learners, we will pilot the screencast course.
Screencasting at Scale
For example, I recently created a screencast tutorial on how to use a new e-performance evaluation software feature that was being implemented across the entire organization as part of the annual performance review. Because over 10,000 employees would be taking the training in preparation for an upcoming focal evaluation date, we needed to be certain that the final screencast video would be easily understood by everyone.
The pilot group brought our attention to a few, albeit minor, areas where there was a potential for misunderstanding, and we were able to fix these for the larger audience. In most cases, I will publish the screencast tutorial/software simulation as a SCORM package which is uploaded into the organization's learning management systems (LMS). Once the learners have completed the training, I often run a report to learn questions that were answered incorrectly most often, information that is valuable to the client.
Animated Videos and Executive Messages: When there is a strong need to drive an overarching message, or essentially convince the learners of the importance of something, the best options are animated videos and executive messages. The executive message video is where I work with a member or member of leadership to create a sort of “talking head” video of them explaining the importance of a new initiative. I typically avoid “talking head” type videos because they only work well when the presenter is a great storyteller or is someone of significant importance who commands a great deal of respect. While animated videos and executive messages are different mediums, they are both great tools for persuasion. I will cover both.
Animated Videos: I used Vyond to create my animated videos because it allows me to create impactful messages relatively quickly. Recently, I was tasked with creating training to encourage more physicians to accept workers' compensation patients. To do this, we developed a short survey to understand the most common reasons why physicians refuse to treat this patient population. We learned the most common reasons were not supported by any facts and that these physicians were misinformed based on worst-case-scenario anecdotes.