494 - User Content, Simple Videos for Learning
December 20, 2007 Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Dec 20, 2007.
#494 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,069 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning Systems ‘08 - April 10 & 11 - Las Vegas, NV
Special Learning TRENDS from Senegal, Africa!
1. User Content - 2008 Trend.
2. Simple Videos - How We are Producing Rapid Content.
1. User Content - 2008 Trend: Watch for a dramatic increase in the amount of “User Created Content” used by organizations in 2008. Simply, these are short segments in audio, video or just text that are created by actual users focused on key tasks and stories in the workplace. User Created Content is not the same as, nor will it replace, all formal content. BUT, there is now an appetite and growing capacity for organizations to rapidly capture and distribute content from the workplace. Here are just a few examples:
* Orientation Videolets: 3 minute video stories from current employees about key issues and topics - made available to new hires, before or right after they are employed.
* Sales Debriefings: Short video or audio segments done by key salespeople as they debrief a successful or failed sales attempt - and published hours later.
* Remedial Segments: Augment authored modules with short supplements that focus on remedial learning — have users reteach the toughest content from their perspectives.
2. Simple Videos - How We are Producing Rapid Content: I have received several hundred emails from TRENDS readers during this trip to Africa, asking how we are shooting, editing and then distributing the video so quickly from the remote villages of Africa. Here is the process:
* Camera: I brought a new, high definition digital video camera from SONY. I choose to shoot the content in higher definition than can be webcast so that it has use as a Hi-Def DVD as well as a webcast.
* Editing: Each day, I transfer the content from the DV tapes to my MacBook Pro via a Firewire connection. Using the iMovie application from Apple, the clips are automatically transfered to the laptop. Then, I create a storyboard, edit and shorten the clips, add some still photos and even do a few titles and voiceovers. I have been able to get a 6 minute finished segment edited in about 1 hour.
* Posting: I can then post and publish it in a few ways. iMovie has a direct connection to a Mac publishing space. But, I do it in two steps. I create a MP4 version and FTP it to my office and website. If needed, I or my staff can convert it into Flash.
The time from shooting to publishing is usually less than 2 hours, with minimal costs and labor. I am not a professional editor and I will have Lauren, our designer, do a final edit of all of the video from our trip once I am back in Saratoga. But, the good news is that I can publish and share it in almost real time. I have even made specialized versions of key segments to send as email to an individual person.
The next step in my learning curve will be to add more “meta-data” and develop more templates to make editing even faster.
If you would like to see some more of the video that we have published:
http://www.masieweb.com/fieldlessons
blog: http://masieafrica.blogspot.com
I hope that you have had a few minutes to follow our Learning Gives Back journey to Africa. We really appreciate your support.
Send me an email to: emasie@masie.com
Upcoming MASIE Center Events and Services:
- Performance Support LAB & Seminar: Jan. 30 - Feb 1, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Learning Leaders Academy: March 10 - 12, Saratoga Springs, NY.
- Learning Systems ‘08 Conference: April 10 and 11, Las Vegas, NV.
- Learning 2008: Oct. 26-29, Orlando, Florida.
Information and Registration: http://www.masie.com