Situation
This was a class project for course TECM 5191 in Fall 2025. The project goal is to create a video demonstrating features of a software program for users.
Task
The first task is to create a script and storyboard. The second task is to create the final video using Camtasia software. The two main goals of this project on digital literacies are to understand the process in providing instructions via video to technology users and screencasting tools and techniques to produce videos.
Action
For the first task, I determined which software program I wanted to use and what features I wanted to demonstrate. Then the vision is put into the script and storyboard showing what the movements would be, how the demonstration would look with screenshots, and what the audio will say.
For the second and final task, I recorded the audio using the script and storyboard and then did a video recording demonstrating the features mentioned. After that, I had to split and delete the parts I did not want to use and put together the audio and video parts that I showed. I did not follow the storyboard exactly as timing was a factor. The video will be more than 150 seconds if I followed the storyboard. I ended up taking out one feature to demonstrate which significantly cuts out time in the video.
I had followed Sarah Ley-Hamilton’s tip to break longer videos into smaller sections for easier edits (Heath, 2018). I also tried to create the video in a minimalist approach. The minimalist approach lets user immediately start with a task, reduce the time, and make it easier to recover from error with lesser steps (van der Meij & Carroll, 1995).
For self regulated learning, I had worked on elaboration techniques for this project (Weinstein, C.E., Husman & Dierking 2000). I took down notes as I am watching the videos and try to link it to tutorials and lectures I have watched. I also try to verbally go over the information to help me remember and understand the information better.
Result
The first task allowed me to organize and create a storyboard that assisted in creating the final video. For the second task, after reviewing the best version created, I have saved as a MP4 video. The final result is a 138 seconds video presentation showing features of PDFgear on how to edit PDF and how to merge and split PDF.
As a technical writer, it is necessary to know how to create videos for documentation. Upon completing this project assignment, I am confident in creating videos for documentation and user purpose.
Bibliography
Heath, C. (2018). Making video documentation by Sarah Ley-Hamilton (Vol. 19). https://blog.knowledgeowl.com/blog/posts/video-documentation/
Weinstein, C.E., Husman, J. and Dierking, D.R. (2000). “Self-regulation Interventions with a Focus on Learning Strategies,” Chapter 22, pp. 727-783. In Boekaerts, M., Pintrich, P. R., & Zeidner, M. (Eds.). Handbook of Self-regulation, 1st edition. Academic Press.
van der Meij, H., & Carroll, J. M. (1995). Principles and heuristics for designing minimalist instruction. Technical Communication, 42(2), 243–261.