An educational video is a great teaching tool or just a fun way to share your knowledge with the world. Thanks to the ease of access and the growing popularity of sites like YouTube (which has more than 1.8 billion users), educational videos are ideal tools for teaching others what you know. Being able to take advantage of sound and images, these videos are particularly useful for those who learn best thanks to hearing and sight. Whether you want to reach millions or an elementary school class, educational videos communicate information in a powerful and lively way.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Thinking about the Technical Details
Step 1. Determine the equipment you need to film
Do you want to record your video with a smartphone or digital camera, or do you prefer to use a professional camera and microphone? Decide what tools to use before you start shooting, so you don't have a hitch while creating your movie.
- Think about lighting. Proper lighting is important, so consider shooting in a well-lit location during the day, or bringing the artificial lights to your video set so that it looks bright.
- Find a decent microphone. A good microphone allows you to get your message across loud and clear. Even a small recording device can greatly improve the quality of your video.
- Consider the goal of the video. Are you creating a movie to show in a professional workshop or classroom? In this case, invest in a high quality camera to get a professional recording. If you just want to have fun, you can use the tools you already have at your disposal, such as a tablet or smartphone.
Step 2. Choose a shooting set
Find a place where you feel comfortable and where you can set up the equipment needed to make the video. Also, avoid places where there are a lot of noises, which can interfere with shooting.
If possible, visit the set before you start filming. Pay attention to the noise at various times of the day and choose the background you want for the video
Step 3. Learn how to use a movie editing program
Once you're done shooting, you'll probably want to make some changes. A tool like Windows Movie Maker (for PC) or iMovie (for Mac) can be very useful for enhancing educational video. These software allow you to import and edit videos, add and alter audio, as well as share the finished product over the internet.
Consider using software to add interesting elements to your video. Tools like Go! Animate (which allows you to create cartoons), Google Story Builder (which allows you to create mini-movies and video stories) and Stupeflix (which animates images and videos in a slideshow) can give your movie a professional look
Step 4. Visit a site like YouTube
Find a page to upload your educational video to for everyone to see. YouTube is a great option, because it offers the best tools to edit your video and allows you to embed or share it with ease. Many users choose this platform for their educational videos.
Watch more educational videos. Before creating a movie, it may be helpful to analyze the work of other users, so you can find out what to do and what to avoid
Step 5. Learn about existing material and how to make your video unique
A quick YouTube or Google search on your topic of interest can help you figure out what kind of movies have already been posted.
- Don't be put off by the existence of a video similar to yours. Many people watch more than one video to learn something new.
- Find ways to distinguish your video from others. Find the missing information from other videos and include it in your own.
Part 2 of 3: Prepare to Make the Educational Video
Step 1. Decide on the topic
Choose an area that you are well versed in, or learn something new and tell everyone what you have learned.
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Determine what kind of educational video you want to make:
- Will it be a "how to do" guide or will you provide in-depth information on a particular topic?
- Will there be interactive activities, or will you be talking throughout the video?
- Make a rough outline of the video structure before you start shooting.
Step 2. Prepare a script
It is very important to prepare yourself well. Many people (especially those who are shy in front of the camera) feel more comfortable talking once they have tried what they are going to say.
Make sure you check the truth of the facts. Before making an educational video, you need to be absolutely sure that the information offered is correct. You can't know how many people will watch it
Step 3. Test the script
One of the most important aspects of creating an educational video where you sound like an expert is to communicate your message with confidence. The best way to show confidence is by repetition.
- Practice in front of the mirror. Rehearsing your script without anyone judging you is a great way to correct problems and gain confidence.
- Practice with a friend and ask for their opinion. You may find it helpful to have another person listen to the script before shooting yourself and posting the video.
- If possible, try to remember the lines by heart instead of reading them.
Step 4. Get all the props you need
Think about the message you are trying to convey and find everything you need to present the information clearly and make the video inspiring.
- Watch other educational videos to understand if and how props are used effectively. It is important not to directly copy another movie, but you may find inspiration from this research.
- Remember that you can use very simple or complex objects. There are no rules for educational videos! Look for unique items based on the topic you want to present.
Step 5. Do a costume fitting
Remember that talking in front of a camera will be a very different experience than talking in front of the mirror. The more you practice, the better your video will be.
- If possible, resume the costume fitting. This allows you to look at yourself, evaluate your performance and identify any errors.
- Ask a trusted friend to watch your video and give you their opinion. A neutral third party will be better able to identify errors and potential distractions in the video.
Part 3 of 3: Making the Video
Step 1. If possible, ask someone to be a cameraman
You can make the video all by yourself, but it will be helpful to have another person maneuver the camera so that you can focus on the content to deliver to the audience. In addition, the cameraman can give you his opinion right away and will notice elements such as lighting and sound.
Step 2. Make a good impression with the clothing
To create a truly effective video, audiences must think that you are an expert on the subject, even if you are not!
Dress appropriately for the topic. If you want to teach the public how to prepare for an interview, wear clothes suitable for the professional environment; if you want to explain how to fix a car oil tank leak, you will probably have to put on completely different clothes
Step 3. Create a concise video
Studies have shown that the average attention span ranges from 7 to 15 minutes. Remember this when shooting and try to make the video as concise as possible, while still communicating the message clearly.
Step 4. Upload the video to your computer
Once you've finished the necessary filming, you should upload the footage to your computer so you can edit it.
Be sure to save the original footage in a separate file so you can edit it in the future without taking any risks
Step 5. Publish your video
You can do this on sites like YouTube, which allow you to reach a lot of users. It might even go viral!
- Read the article on wikiHow How to Edit Videos for YouTube. It's a great place to start.
- Consider using the "YouTube for Creators" page on the YouTube site. Here you will get help to develop your video production skills, to better understand your audience and enrich your YouTube channel.
Step 6. Request comments and suggestions from the viewer
The audience is a great source of criticism of your work. Pay attention to how many "likes" and "dislikes" the video receives and read all constructive comments that are posted.
Ignore negative or rude comments. Pay no attention to personal attacks and criticisms that are not constructive
Step 7. Analyze the statistics
YouTube gives you information on who is watching your video, how long they stay tuned, the age and geographic location of viewers, as well as many other useful statistics. This can help you understand what the demographic category of people watching your educational videos is.
