What is this project?

During the spring semester of my undergraduate studies at the University of Tampa, I was tasked with creating a 1-minute video tutorial on Camtasia. This video aimed to solve a common problem through step-by-step guidance and a multimodal approach (audio and visual). I chose to create a video tutorial that guided learners through the Canva file download process, a skill that is relevant in many modern scenarios. I specifically wanted to teach learners how to download a design file as a JPEG, a perfect file type for deliverables like flyers, social media posts, and web applications. 

How did I prepare?

To prepare, I personally worked through the file download process, noting my natural instincts, roadblocks, and areas of confusion. While I went through the process, I recorded my experience, allowing me to analyze it and identify key steps or places that may require more detailed instruction. As I analyzed the video, I found that it would be critical to highlight the different file types, specifically emphasizing the JPEG option. When creating step-based learning experiences, my top priority is clarity, ensuring every possible roadblock is avoided. Additionally, I spent time exploring the Camtasia platform, ensuring I understood how to navigate between settings, input media, and implement features such as panning, zooming, title animations, transitions, callouts, background music, and voice-overs. This preparation allowed me to focus on the quality of the video tutorial. 

How did I put my plan into action?

Once I noted each step and prepared the test environment (Canva design creation, account, and professional space), I shot a clean and seamless video of my laptop screen as I was walking through the file download process in Canva. I made sure to include my mouse icon and the entire Canva interface in the screen recording. Then, I moved the screen recording to Camtasia, where I would begin editing, extending, and further developing the tutorial. Once I organized the video flow by adding an introduction section and conclusion, I created callouts for each step, using visual principles like emphasis and contrast to ensure accessible readability and cognitive load management. Once the visual assets were developed for the video tutorial, I finalized the learning experience by adding a voice-over. I watched the video multiple times so I could engage in an interactive refinement process, improving my instructions, formatting, and designs. I then exported the finalized video tutorial.