The First Step to Making Great Videos: Set Your Goal:

Set Your Goal, is the “Video for Learning” course’s first module. In this blog post, I dive deeper into the importance of having a clear goal for your video and explain how setting the goal will help guide your subsequent decisions in the video creation process.

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Before Setting a Goal

A goal is broad. Goals focus on long-term accomplishment. In a previous post,

Is it a Goal or an Objective? I point out that a goal is a destination on a map, and the objectives are the many roads you can use to get there. When I teach people how to set goals, I suggest they immerse themselves in three key topics (The VFL Way, 6 Types, Rubric) before I call ACTION!

1. The VFL Way

The “WAY” is a mindset I want all of my scholars to learn and practice.

Done is better than perfect.
Meaning is more important than visual quality.
Follow the process.

If you want to make videos that help train or teach, then you need a process. Sure, you can use an online tool that makes it easy. Yes! Sure, you can use templates to make it faster. Sure, you can use formulas to write and produce content. If you lack the understanding of what it means to make a video for learning purposes, you will make videos that miss the point and fail to deliver on the purpose of learning. The purpose of learning videos is always to improve the knowledge, skills, and behaviors of the learner. So, now you know the VFL way and it will help you set your goal.

2. The 6 Types of Video for Learning

The Educational genre can be broken down into six categories: Lecture, Screencast, Micro, Explainer, Scenarios/Simulations, and How-to. As you become more familiar with each of the six types of video for learning, remember the purpose of video for learning: to improve knowledge, skills, and/or behavior. Techniques and methods used in the other four genres do find their way into educational videos, and that is okay. If the purpose of the video is to improve knowledge, skills, and behavior, then the video is educational. Check out KSB and The 6 Types of Video for Learning to dive deeper into the types of learning or training videos. Knowing the 6 types will aid you in setting your goal.

3. The Rubric

Using a rubric will help you set a consistent standard for your learning video content. By evaluating content the same way for every project, you will be efficient and objective – every time. By breaking down the different components of your video and providing a clear set of expectations for each, a rubric can help you to objectively assess the strengths and weaknesses of your video and identify areas for improvement. So, if you want to take your video production to the next level, be sure to use a rubric to evaluate your completed videos. Learn more about the rubric I recommend in my How to Evaluate Learning Videos with a Rubric guide.

Step 1: Set your Goal

Now that you learned about the three key topics (The VFL Way, 6 Types, Rubric), you are ready to set your goal.

Setting a goal will help you with your KSB: knowledge, skills, and behaviors. Goal setting gives you focus and helps you recognize mastery. Jump on the meta train with me. The purpose of all learning videos is to improve the knowledge, skills, and behaviors of your learning audience. In order to become a creator of learning videos, we focus on the KSB that YOU need in order to master video production for learning purposes.

The course offers you in-depth lessons on each of the three topics above as well as a bonus section aptly named, Learn More module that includes these topics

Goal v. Objective – A Simple Explanation for Better Training
The Promise of Learning Video
The Case for Using Video
Five Genres of Video
Glossary of Learning Video Terms
5 Phases of Learning Video Production

Now, you can set your VFL goal once you:

Are aware of what makes video an ideal tool for learning, aka, the case for learning video
Learn the fundamentals of VFL (video for learning)
Know the difference between a marketing video and a learning video
Discover the phases of learning video production
Become familiar with the 6 types of learning video

Once you have improved your knowledge of the key concepts bulleted above, you will write your goal. The goal is what you want to accomplish. The goal language is broad. Here are some examples of goals from past students of the VFL program:

Create a video that teaches my students how to use the lab equipment properly.
Learn how to record me so my courses are more engaging for my audience.
Make a how-to video that I am proud to share with my clients.
Use a screencast video to demonstrate various software concepts for my database software client.

Summary

Setting clear goals and learning about the VFL Way, 6 Types of Video for Learning, and a rubric can help you create effective and engaging learning videos. To learn more about these key concepts and set your VFL goal, consider signing up for the “Video for Learning” course or subscribing to the newsletter. With in-depth lessons on these topics, you’ll be on your way to mastering video production for learning purposes.

Helpful Links

What is the VFL Way? – Video For Learning
KSB and The 6 Types of Video for Learning
The 6 Types of Video for Learning
How to Evaluate Learning Videos with a Rubric
A Video Expert’s Opinion: Is MrFixitDIY’s Electrical Repair Tutorial Worth Your Time?
REVIEW: Is it a Good How-to Training Video? – VIDEO

Do you want to learn how to make your own videos like a pro?

Contact me today if you want to learn more about how to make your own or look for the link down below to sign up for the online course. And I can’t wait to help you on your journey.