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Subject:RE: Video vs The Written Word From:"Dubin, David" <David -dot- Dubin -at- sage -dot- com> To:<techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Tue, 20 Feb 2007 15:02:25 -0000
I strongly agree with Peter's assessment on video, if that video is
shown via a VCR or similar format. However, "video" can be a useful
tool, if done correctly and with the required amount of prior planning.
We use Camtasia and Captivate for our "Anytime" learning -asynchronous
training delivered via streaming content from our web site. Sarah is
correct that, if saved in the highest quality format, the files are
large, which is one of the reason that we stream the courseware. The key
is that using either application, we are able to chunk individual
learning objectives into 3-8 minute segments, which are easily editable
both in the content (visual) and the audio portion of the course. These
segments are then combined to form a 30 - 90 minute class in which the
learner is able to move forward, backward, take a test, practice, and so
on. It does take good prior planning, creating a storyboard, and the
development time is somewhere around 1:200. However the level of
knowledge transfer is much greater because the learner is engaged in all
the senses (when done correctly) and any type of learner will be able to
learn. The only drawback is that there is no ability for the learner to
ask questions. But they couldn't ask questions of documentation either.
David B. Dubin
Senior Curriculum Developer
Sage Software
727-579-1111 x 3356
david -dot- dubin -at- sage -dot- com
Your business in mind.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+david -dot- dubin=sage -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+david -dot- dubin=sage -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf Of stevefjong -at- comcast -dot- net
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 9:43 AM
To: Sarah Bouchier
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: Video vs The Written Word
We had a manager come in with a grand plan to modernize the
documentation with Camtasia videos. I agree that it is the way of the
future, but in that implementation, not only did we encounter the
revision issue already mentioned, but the few videos we produced took
more space on the release CD than all the software, documentation, and
Help put together--so much so that a second CD was required, to the ire
of upper management.
(It was also my impression that it also took more time and effort to
produce half an hour of simple tutorials than to update several thousand
pages of Help--the same guy did both, but it wasn't me.)
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