Most speakers feel nervous in front of the camera, no matter how experienced they are. Therefore, it is useful to prepare talking points or text before recording. Writing the script helps ensure that you get to all of your key points and that you will explain your course content clearly and concisely.
Create Your First Lecture
The introductory lecture is one of the most important parts of the online course because it defines the style and expectations of the learners. Learners often preview this video before recording to help them decide if it’s right for them. Keep your first lecture brief but impactful, between 2-4 minutes.
Here is a roadmap to follow to help you write your introductory script:
- Start by welcoming the learners to the course. Introduce yourself and explain why you are the best person to teach this course.
- Help learners learn more about the target group for the course. Who will benefit the most from taking your course? What level of knowledge should they already have on the topic?
- Set expectations for the course, and tell the learners what they will learn and be able to do by the end of the course.
Remember that this video is the learners’ first impression of your course and about you as a teacher, so show your passion and enthusiasm for the topic. Involve learners’ interests to motivate them to continue the course. Enjoy your time with the training so that it reflects on the learners as well.
- Keep things simple. When recording your videos, you will find it easier to read the text if your sentences are short and clear. It is also easier for learners to process and understand short sentences.
- Identify key terms and acronyms that first-time learners may learn and avoid using confusing terms or acronyms. Remember, learners are not experts in your topic yet!
- Focus on accessibility. Ensure that your content is usable by as many people as possible. In your scenario, describe the visuals, use jargon consistently, and avoid using too many slang words.
- “Tell them what you’re going to teach them, then explain the details to them, and then retell them what you told them.” This simple structure is a great way to lay out the text for each lecture. Start by introducing the concept you are going to cover, explain the concept, and then provide a brief summary of the concept.
- Use various stories, examples, and reflection questions to engage learners. They are powerful tools to help learners understand concepts and relate what they are learning to their own experiences. Activate learners’ prior knowledge by asking them to think about their own experiences or how they relate what they learn to their lives.
- Maintain a friendly, audible and motivational tone of voice. Your learners may face challenges when they first learn about your topic. Be encouraging and tell them that it’s okay if they need more support at first.
Practice Makes Perfect
As you write your script, remember that you will be speaking out loud at the end when you record your videos. It’s a good idea to read the text out loud as you type it to make sure it sounds natural and has a smooth, balanced format. Some teachers use speech-to-text technology to help them write in a well-spoken tone. No matter which method you use, make adjustments to your content as you go. Edit anything that seems inappropriate to you while reading the text aloud.
Before you start recording your videos, practice reading your script out loud as if you were recording it on camera. Record a video of yourself doing this, so you can watch it later and assess if you want to make any changes to the final version of your text. If you feel completely confident about your work, share it with friends, family, or colleagues to gather feedback on how to improve the video.
