How do I create an online tutorial from scratch?
Decide on a single, concrete outcome for your online tutorial. Then describe how to achieve that outcome, step by step. What does your student need to know before they start? What will they know when they finish? Now list each step they must take to achieve the desired outcome. Add examples and exercises. Pick text, images, video, or some mix of them. Test your tutorial and make sure it works before publishing it!
How to create an online tutorial from scratch
Begin with a single learning objective. Tutorials are simpler to learn from if they enable someone to complete one particular job, like editing a picture, registering for an account, or creating a basic report. Attempting to teach the whole topic in one tutorial will likely result in a hard-to-use lesson.
1. Decide who the tutorial is for
Think about who your learner is and what you want them to be able to accomplish at the end of the activity. What does the learner already know? What materials will they need? Where might they struggle?
2. Organize the steps
1. Organize your task in a brief step-by-step list and ensure it's in the correct sequence. 2. Mention any necessary prep or materials. 3. List decisions the learner must make, as well as checks to avoid mistakes.
3. Select the format
Written instructions are useful for when learners might want to look up something later. Video can be helpful if an action is easier to see than to describe. Images are helpful if you want to highlight a specific screen, item, or end product. You can use multiple formats as long as they each have a clear goal.
4. Write and build the lesson
This section can be kept short and should contain just one instruction. Define any technical terms if needed, and offer some examples to clarify things. A mini-practice task lets learners get some practice with the instruction before they simply read about it or watch it in a video.
5. Test and publish the tutorial
Proceed with the tutorial as if you're experiencing the task for the first time. Look for missing instructions, poorly written or confusing instructions, broken links, and places where a learner might be unsure of what to do. Make the required edits, choose a meaningful title and description, and publish it. Choose the right permissions for your learners.