How We Can Use Video in e-Learning
Video can be a great compliment to e-learning courses. Here are a few ways you can use video in your courses:
- Vignettes of experts providing advice/tips as it relates to the course’s content. I will usually place the video in a box in the corner with a play button. Once the user reads the content they can then “hear from as expert.” FYI: I want the video to add to the content, not overshadow it.
- Narration – a talking head can narrate each page. Personally, I am not a big fan of this. It just annoys me and I end up turning the sound off. I only ask that you give users the option of turning the sound off and that they have the option of moving forward without listening the entire narration. User control is very important in e-learning. It is, please believe me on this. You can also get fancy and show a narrator’s full body imposed over the page. You can have them walking about the screen and pointing out specific elements of the content.
- Demonstrations of psycho-motor activities. For example, assembling a widget.
- Showing role-plays. For example, how customer service is done properly at your organization. Or perhaps how it is not executed properly. Better yet, create stopping points where the user makes decisions and the video branches dependent upon the user’s choices. That is a lot of work on our end, but if done right it is well worth the effort.
- Simulations – add a setting or background to your simulations. For example, the interior of a store, building or factory where the sim is set. This can add an element of realism, like customers coming and going, machines moving, etc.
These are the uses of video that come to mind, but I am sure there are other uses I have excluded. Please let me know how else we can use video in e-learning.
Video Studio Design – Equipment is on its Way
If you have not been following prior posts, I am building a small video studio. It will be used for creating videos that will be incorporated into e-learning (WBT) courses and for online, stand-alone, instructional videos.
The equipment has been ordered, and here’s what we will be using:
- 2 Kino Flo Diva fluorescent lights (each has 2 tubes and include a dimmer).
- Lamp with reflector (hair light) that will hold a 30 watt GE Reveal True Color flood.
- 10′ x 12′ gray, muslin backdrop.
This will be a very small studio and the above should provide very sufficient lighting. I did not include a light reflector, which is good for removing any shadows. I learned that if one is necessary, I can actually use a windshield reflector that is bought inexpensively at any auto supply store. It may not look as professional, but will save 40 to 50 dollars.
Below is a picture of the empty studio. It is small, approximately 12′ x 12′, and is not a perfect square, but has column on one side and an inset on the left wall.
Empty Studio 12-2008
Here is the layout design:
Studio Layout Design
An important note: I very recently found out my bank/employer has been acquired. Luckily, the equipment was ordered prior to the acquisition and as these things do not happen immediately, I will be continuing with this project unless told otherwise. I am expecting to get a fair amount of use from the studio prior to the actual change over (2nd quarter 2009, at the earliest).
Video Studio – Figuring Out What I Need
I have done my research on the equipment I will need to set up the video studio. FYI: I already have a digital video camera, microphone, and tripod. So, they are not included in my lists of equipment needed.
Here is my very “tight budget” option:
- 2-Fluorescent lights on stand - each with two 40 watt, 48″ 5000k fluorescent tubes
- Light reflector
- Muslin backdrop – 10′X12′
- Hair light – 30 Watt GE Reveal True Color Flood
If I buy the above equipment new from a reputable vendor I can stay under $1, 500. But many corners can be cut. For example each of the 48″ 2-tube fluorescent on stands are going to run me $550 each (the largest expense). I can opt out of buying professional video lighting and buy everyday fluorescent surface mounts and put them on a stand. But I worry about having noisy, flickering, fluorescent lights.
In addition, I made a great connection with an expert in film production. He gave me advice on putting this together inexpensively. However, it will cost more than the prior. Here is the equipment he suggested.
- 4-tube Kino Flo Diva for the key
- 2-tube Lowel fluorescent for the fill (if there’s enough room to back it off)
- Small (200 watt) Fresnel on a dimmer (any good brand: Mole, Arri, LTM Pepper, etc.) for the hair-light (need to be able to adjust it quickly)
- Theatrical light with patterns and various color gels (Source 4) for lighting the background
- Muslin backgrounds are a great idea. I like to steam them flat and make them interesting with patterns and gels in the Source 4.
The above will exceed $2,000, but I can cut out the theatrical light and shave a few bucks off.
He also added the following advice:
“If you are going to have a dedicated room, I’d look very seriously at putting in an overhead lighting grid, so you don’t lose floor space to a bunch of stands and wires. But if you don’t have the budget for a lot of lights and a control box, you may want to keep a key light on a rolling stand, just to have that flexibility for various shooting situations. Everything else can probably hang on the grid.”
Great idea, my space is limited, but I want to have the option of moving the equipment “on location,” if needed. More to think about.
I will be mulling all this over. There are some overlaps in the two lists and I may end up mixing and matching from each list. When the decision is made I will post it. If anyone has suggestions/advice, please leave a comment.
Building a Studio for Instructional Videos on a Tight Budget
More and more I have been using video in my e-learning courses. These are not high level productions, but they have been effective, bite-size pieces of instruction that add value to my courses. Very recently I have been asked to expand our use of online videos.
The simple setup I have been using is just not going to suffice for longer, more complex instructional videos. In fact, I expect many of these to be stand alone instructional videos versus clips imported into web based training (WBT) courses.
So, what is an e-learning designer to do? Build a video studio, and learn a little something about shooting instructional videos, of course. My budget is very limited. In the coming weeks I will be researching how to set-up a small video studio on a tight budget. I will also research approaches to designing and shooting instructional videos. As I progress I will share resources as I find them along with my thoughts and lessons learned.
For now here are the first resources I found about setting up an inexpensive video studio:
Setting up a low budget video studio for professional results - This site provides some helpful, inexpensive tricks to setting up a studio. And includes photos and diagrams (example below).
Building Your Own Mini TV Studio - Very creative tips on cutting costs when building a studio. And some great information on sound control and lighting. Also provides diagrams (example below).
What’s next? Some more research on building a studio, cost analysis, finding a vendor, learn more about designing instructional videos, finding talent, and probably many things I am not expecting. Stay tuned, I will keep you updated.
If you have any advice or resources to share, please leave a comment and let me know. It will be greatly appreciated.
Adding Pizzazz to e-Learning Videos
I am currently working on adding short videos into a web based training course. These are approximately 2 minute videos of the subject matter experts (SMEs) who are extrapolating on the content at hand. The SMEs did a wonderful job, but…a little extra “pizzazz” would increase attention.
So here’s what I did…
I imported each video into Flash and added layers above the video. In these layers I added text that emphasized key information in their presentation. Where graphics, charts, and screenshots helped, I add those too. I was very careful not to distract the learner away from the presenter, but rather highlight their message. It is also important not to obscure the presenter. In my case, I left some room above and to the sides when taking the video. This allowed me the space to have the text and images tween in and out of the canvas.
In one particular case, the SME was discussing a scenario that involved a series of numbers and calculations. By showing, and labeling, the calculations next to the SME, along with numerous animated arrows, it allows the learner much more visualization of the scenario.
The course is still in the works, but I have shown the videos to a small group and they have been received very well. I have shown these to the SMEs too, who liked them. FYI: Always show videos to SMEs early on. It is better to find out they are not happy with the results and re-shoot the video, than invest a lot of time into it something you may not use.
