Describes how to use Xtranormal videos to teach personal finance.

1. Using Xtranormal to
Create Educational
Online Videos
Dr. Barbara O’Neill, CFP®
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
oneill@aesop.rutgers.edu

2. Four Workshop Objectives
• Compare Xtranormal to Second Life
• Demonstrate sample Xtranormal videos
• Discuss how to make an Xtranormal video
• Have participants start writing an Xtranormal
video script

3. eXtension Virtual World
Educational Content is Not New
• How many are familiar with Second Life?
• How many regularly use Second Life?
• How many are familiar with Xtranormal?
• How many have made Xtranormal videos?

4. Virtual Learning Platforms
Second Life Xtranormal
• Users access content
• Requires users to be
through online searching
able to access and use
or links sent to them
Second life
• Good for short content
• Good for in-depth “soundbites” of 2-3
content minutes
• Requires payment to
• Requires payment for publish videos
land, clothes, etc. (Xtranormal XP points)
(Linden dollars)

5. Xtranormal Video Use
• Used in training New York Public Library
staff on financial education resources
• Short videos (approx. 2-3 minutes) featuring
a library staffer and patron
• Ends with a question posed to the library
staffer
• Segue to group discussion

6. Sample Xtranormal Videos
• Banking: http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/13646000/nypl-money-
matters-banking-lifeline-accounts
• Credit 1: http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/13645983/nypl-money-
matters-credit-debt-10
• Credit 2: http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/13646062/nypl-money-
matters-credit-debt-20
• Identity Theft: http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/13646046/nypl-money-
matters-identity-theft
• Retirement Planning:
http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/13646025/nypl-money-matters-
retirement-jerry-your-money

7. How to Make an Xtranormal Video
• Decide on video title and content
• Write out dialogue between characters
• Set up Xtranormal account with username and password
– Get 300 free points
• Click “Create”
• Pick a “collection” (unique style of actors and sets); select 1
actor or two actors
• Select a set
• Choose actors and their voices

8. How to Make an Xtranormal Video
• Add background sounds (optional)
• Enter dialogue (prepare in advance in Word)
• Add animations and camera angles
• Add title bubble at end for branding and credits
• Listen to test dialog changes
• Preview to test audio and video
• Publish when complete; pay points

9. Xtranormal (XP) Points
• 300 XP at sign-up to publish first video
• Sold in bundles; various points plans
– 1,200 XP for $10
– 15,000 XP for $50
– 40,000 XP for $100
– 80,000 XP for $150
• Purchase with credit card or PayPal
• Also professional and educator plans
• “Points bar” at top of page tells number of
points needed to publish a video

10. Helpful Things to Know
• Xtranormal has excellent tutorials with screen shots:
https://xtranormal.zendesk.com/home
• Simple words are best
– Example: “maybe” instead of “possibly”
• Spell words out as they are pronounced
– Example: Four oh one kay for 401(k)
• Previews take a LONG time to load
• Review the10 camera angles and make a list of what
they show (before you start)
• Beware: commas = awkward pauses

11. More Helpful Things to Know
• Save published videos in “My Stuff”
• Can click a button to publish video on
YouTube
• Can publish a simple video in < 300 XP points
– Purchase “assets” (sets and actors)
– Can reuse actors & sets previously paid for
• Expect some “intonation issues” (like a GPS)
• Can view video dialogue in preview mode
• Can edit published videos
– Requires additional XP points

12. Let’s Start YOUR Xtranormal Video
• Video title
– What do you want to teach or promote?
• Two Characters
• A few rounds of dialogue between characters
Comments? Questions?