Accommodating Learning Styles in Utopian Video Tutorials

Learning Style considerations when creating video tutorial content for Utopian-io

https://github.com/utopian-io/utopian.io

Learning Styles

All learners have preferred learning styles. Each person's preferences are a combination of four unique styles: Visual, Literary, Auditory, and Kinesthetic. The nature of a video tutorial leans more toward visual and auditory learners, but all four learning styles must be accommodated.

To accommodate the literary and kinesthetic learners video tutorials must employ techniques which make use of appropriate teaching techniques. The following are some techniques for these two learning styles.

Literary Learning Style

Video tutorials must show the topic being covered in text form at all times. There are a variety of ways to present topics and subtopics within the video. Creators can allocate space in a margin for text only. Text could be presented as an overlay of the video as long as it does not distract or cover critical elements.

Each video tutorial must be supplemented by a text/graphic post. This content should only address the content presented in the video and is not required to be a standalone tutorial. Instructors should use this content to guide the learners through the video content, clarify points and offer concise alternative explanations to complex concepts.

Kinesthetic Learning Style

Kinesthetic learners learn by doing and prefer to take an active role in the processing of tasks. Kinesthetic learners can be accommodated in video tutorials. Instructors must create opportunities for kinesthetic learners to work on tasks first hand. As concepts are explained and demonstrated in a video learns can be invited to pause the video and try the concept for themselves. This can be done as a simple, "Now you try it" or can be presented as a defined activity within in the tutorial. Either way, the learners must be presented with an opportunity which will produce a specific result. Identifying a clear objective will allow the learner to self-evaluate.

Supplementary text/graphic material accompanying the video tutorial can contain activities which can be completed by learners. These activities will provide learners with opportunities with opportunities to practice and self-evaluate.

Even though visual and auditory learners find video tutorials to be a more accessible means to learn than literary or kinesthetic learners, instructors must make every effort to provide best learning experience for these learners. We must not take these learners for granted. Care must be taken to provide the best learning experience possible.

Visual Learning Style

To ensure that visual learners are provided with the best possible learning experience great care must be taken to create visually appealing video tutorials. All elements presented on the video must be large enough to be easily viewed. This will require instructors to enlarge or zoom in on the content. Font sizes must be used which can be clearly read and other visual content must occupy a substantial portion of the video real estate.

With the exception of text indicating the topic being covered, the screen should be clear of any distracting visual content. Instructors must consider what is necessary or not in the video. Instructors should avoid showing the full desktop with unnecessary menu bars and other UI elements which do not add value to the lesson.

Many visual learners respond positively to seeing the face of the presenter. This can either be in the form of a still image or as a live video. If the latter is being used there must be no distracting background and the presenter's image must be well lit and clear.

Auditory Learning Style

Auditory learners learn through listening. These learners require clear sound to perform at their best. Instructors must make every effort to provide the best listening experience possible.

The use of professional language is preferred. Instructors must avoid speaking in the vernacular or using slang. Proper grammar must be used at all times.

Auditory learners prefer language presented in a consistent pace. This pace should be calm and calculated. Instructors must avoid long pauses and corrections of substantial errors. Pauses and corrections can be corrected using editing software.

Diction should be clear and precise to allow easy interpretation of the content. While all regions of the world have accents every effort should be made to speak in a fashion which is easily understood by any learner.

We must strive to produce video tutorial content which addresses the needs of all four learning styles. With some simple considerations the video can be an effective learning tool for everyone.