The basic process for creating our How-to Videos is outlined below.
I. Write Script
- Scripts are generated from common topics taught in library instruction classes and ideas suggested by faculty. These include basic searching techniques, database tutorials, catalog searches, document formatting, and others. We also solicited ideas from faculty.
- Focus on outcomes and chunking topics into manageable amounts of information
- Use simple, natural language and avoid the use of library jargon
- Create a template for your scripts. We used Google docs - you are welcome to use or modify our template
- Include an introduction with a clearly stated learning goal - what will the student know or be able to do after viewing the video?
- Include a description of the action the viewer will see on the video for each segment of narration to aid in screencasting the video
- Save your scripts in a shared project folder - we used Google drive
- On average they took 2 hours to complete
II. Edit Script
- Two team members or more should review each script, read the text, complete the action described and suggest any necessary changes or additions
- Resolve outstanding suggestions and the script is ready to narrate
- Editing and revising takes about an hour to complete
III. Record Audio
- Find a quiet place to record to avoid outside noise
- Speak clearly and naturally allowing pauses between sections
- Edit out any mistakes, noise, etc. using Audacity
- Upload the finished .mp3 audio file to a shared drive
- Recording takes about 1.5 hours
IV. Screencast
- Select a screencast software to create your videos - we used the desktop version of Screencast-o-matic
- Import your audio files and record the video portion for each audio segment.
- If desired, use cursor movements and mouse clicks highlighted with a yellow halo to focus the viewers attention to the action as the video demonstrates the skill
- Edit the video to correct mistakes, add transitions and effects to enhance the video, and remove pauses between each recorded segment
- Add captions by either importing a text file or using the speech-to-text option and edit as needed
- Save the .mp4 video file to your shared drive
- Screencasting can take up to 3 hours to complete
V. Publish to YouTube
- Upload the video to your YouTube account adding brief meta details including a title, short description, and a thumbnail of your opening branded title slide
- Chose your license and distribution - ours is set to Creative Commons - Attribution.
- If desired, add cards (links which appear in the top right corner of the video) and end screens to promote related content
- Set the video to "public" and add it to relevant playlists that group like topics together
- Add the video to your library website and relevant libguides where it would be most likely needed.
- Lastly, update your project tracking system with the completion date and a link to the Youtube video
- This step takes about 30 minutes
