522 - Mod 4: Rich Media Tutorials


Tutorial: How to create a wiki using Google Sites




Module target goal 

From the module instructions:

Our goals are multiple. The first is for you to become aware of your presence when communicating with video and audio. Note features such as pacing and tone of voice, lighting, background, effect of dark or light clothing and/or makeup. A second goal is to become familiar with the features of your chosen rich media software. Finally, in the bigger picture, your goal is to create a rich media tutorial for other online teachers. This aspect of teacher leadership is a requirement in our program, and adds to your skill set as a leader in educational technology.


Design a tutorial for online instructors. The topic must be related to online teaching and be useful for online teachers of adults.

The tutorial must include:
  • a video/audio segment in which you are visible as well as speaking
  • Screen recordings or screen captures
  • The tutorial needs to be from 7 - 15 minutes long
  • You may use any rich media software that you know how to use and/or want to learn how to use 
  • Select a topic and title for your presentation. The topic must be relevant and useful to online teachers.
  • Select an objective for your presentation. What do you want your participants to learn, experience, do?
  • Select the format for your presentation. Will it be a pre-recorded tutorial/ A dialog with a guest speaker? Will you integrate slideshows, screen capture, websites, Flash?

Project outline

Topic: How to create a wiki using Google Sites

Title: How to create a course wiki using Google Sites: A Beginner's Guide

Software: Camtasia Studio 8

Video URLlink



Reflection

This was a great learning process. For anyone who hasn't used Camtasia before, I highly recommend trying it out and exploring the various features. I found the screen recorder to function very well, nothing too noteworthy besides the ability to tweak the audio and video capture settings for personalization. I think the "studio" program that allows you to edit/modify the media capture (where your capture video is sent when you're done) is well-designed for those in the e-learning industry. With plenty of options for drawing attention to areas of the screen, LSM integration options, and the ability to add other media to the capture, I think it is a great tool for creating tutorials.

The software can only do so much, however. Quality tutorials require a prepared script or outline, good lighting, smooth audio and video, and preparation. When preparing the script, an instructional designer should always take care to find a pacing that will match the learners age and ability level. For this tutorial, a beginner's guide for adults, I tried to keep the pace quick and the content easy to follow. I made sure to let the adult learner know early on and at the end of the video why this tutorial is useful, exactly what they will learn, and what they will be able to do when they finish.

As we learned in this module, screen presence is also important if the instructor wants to engage the learner; eye contact and a relaxed disposition will help the user connect with the instructor (and material by extension) and feel comfortable with the digital learning process. Although I have experience creating tutorials, I have not spent much time thinking about how my presence on screen could detract or add to the quality of the tutorial. Early in the process, I watched a few edits of my Google Sites tutorial. I noticed the background I chose for my live video was cluttered and distracting, the lighting bright and overbearing, and I fidgeted a bit. After making some adjustments to the light and background, I re-shot the tutorial and tried to imagine I was making the tutorial for a close friend that I respected. The overall quality of the tutorial seemed to improve greatly. In the future, I will spend less time creating early edits that can't be used because of poor quality live video and instead can focus on enhancing other aspects of the tutorial.


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