This document outlines 7 tips for designing effective technical training tutorials:
1. Use iterative design methods like agile design to allow for imperfection and continuously improve tutorials.
2. Pick formats like text with images, video demos, step-by-step or interactive tutorials that fit the content and learners.
3. Keep tutorials short with microlearning and chunked content broken into small pieces for accessibility.
4. Start with detailed storyboards outlining scripts, on-screen text, graphics and animations to plan content.
5. Plan screenshots and determine needed assets while ensuring quality and correct aspect ratios.
6. Record high-quality audio with good microphones, minimal noise
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7 Tips Design Top Tech Tutorials
1. 7 Tips for Designing
Top Tech Training Tutorials
Crystal Schimpf & Ginny Mies
LITA Forum
November 11, 2017
#litaforum
#7tipstechtutorials
2. Crystal Schimpf
o Librarian
o Consultant
o Training & Instructional Design
o eLearning Design
• DigitalLearn.org
• Project Outcome
• Infopeople
• International City/County Management Association
5. Building an Effective Learning Culture
Infopeople
o Instructor-led
o Online course
o Storyline & video
o Docebo LMS
6. Ginny Mies
o eResources Librarian at SMCL
o Former Content Developer for
TechSoup for Libraries
o Former Tech Journalist
(PCWorld/Macworld)
7. Supporting San Mateo County Online
o Population served: 270,000
o 12 libraries, 1 bookmobile serving:
• 11 towns
• Unincorporated county across 744 sq miles
o 2 million digital items in collection
o 750 circulating Wi-Fi hotspots
8. Online vs. In-Library:
Seamless Customer Service
We want to provide the same level of customer
service online as we do in the library!
11. Do you have experience
designing tech training tutorials?
Or other types of eLearning?
12. Tech Training Tutorial Examples
o DigitalLearn.org
o GCF LearnFree
o Niche Academy
o Lynda.com
o Tech Boomers
o Gale Courses
o YouTube
o Coursera
13. 1. Use iterative design
2. Pick a format that fits
3. Keep tutorials short
4. Start with storyboarding
5. Plan out screen shots
6. Record good audio
7. Make it personal
7 Tips for Top Tech Training Tutorials
42. o Live screencast vs. sequenced screenshots
…or how about both?
o Determine assets needed
o Test quality & aspect ratio
5. Plan out screen shots5. Plan out screenshots
61. 1. Use iterative design
2. Pick a format that fits
3. Keep tutorials short
4. Start with storyboarding
5. Plan out screen shots
6. Record good audio
7. Make it personal
7 Tips for Top Tech Training Tutorials