2. ◦ What are you expected to do?
◦ What are the goals for this project?
◦ Overall for all screencasts?
◦ Each individual screencast?
◦ Who do you report to?
◦ How often do you need to check in with them?
3. What elements do we want to teach in each session?
Audience needs
What are they and how do we meet their needs?
Easy to use (Keep it SIMPLE)
Easy to remember (Keep it SIMPLE)
Functionality
Building on ideas
4. Screen capture vs PowerPoint presentation
Work flow –
One person do A-Z?
Or one to script, one to record, one to edit?
Keeping track of sequencing of steps from first model
Don't recreate the wheel with each screencast.
Development of "best practices" from initial session
What makes best practices?
5. How to measure progress we make in preparing the
session
Goals v “Success?”
How closely are we meeting our original expectations?
Step back and modify goals and expectations
How to test project on user group.
Who to use for this step –
Students in Library
Friends
Student workers in Library
6. Proposal
Outline
Storyboard
PowerPoint / Screenshots
Recording (including above and screencapture)
Production (deleting pauses, syncing sections,
editing narration)
PostProduction (preparing it for the Web)
Posting it to the Web
7. Created a proposal for Administration.
Developed our proposal based upon sample proposals
we had found online.
The proposal allowed us to
Clarify our task.
State the “who, why, where, what, when and how” of the entire
project.
8.
9.
10. Fulfill portions of our Libraries’ Mission and Plan.
Answering student needs
Answering a service issue
Answering ILIS (information literacy and information
services) needs and goals
11. By Administration and ILIS
From multiple departments and individuals
Created more of a cooperative effort for the libraries
Not just a project by Reference Librarians.
Confirm accuracy of information presented with other
departments.
12. How to estimate the time?
Research the amount of time for each task.
Meet multiple times with our calendars.
Included as part of our Proposal.
Adjust timeline as we progress.
13. Establish goals and mileposts.
Explore how each team member works best in different
situations.
Develop a sense of each other’s strengths and
weaknesses as we worked on the workflow.
Initial workflow based on the research we did.
14. Research !!!
Centralized our research via Delicious.com bookmarks.
Camtasia category –
anything relating to Camtasia.
TechSmith category –
items produced by TechSmith, who created Camtasia.
15. Google-searched for completed projects by other
universities.
Gleaned advice and tips from these sites:
Size of recording screen.
KISS (keep it simple, stupid).
Tips for using microphone.
Searched for Best Practices from other universities.
Flexibility in our expectations and methods.
Technology is constantly changing.
16. What elements make for a good podcast?
ADA compliant
picture, printed words, spoken words
Ability to rewind or replay, speed up, etc.
Focus on topic
Simplicity
Length of podcast (3-5 minutes maximum)
Transitions between PowerPoint, Screenshots and
Screencapture
Consistency in the presentation of the content
opening slide with introduction,
body,
closing slide with key points to remember
17. Get input from your supervisors and the various library departments
including: information literacy and instruction department, reference,
systems, and more.
Consensus
Incorporate feedback
Work from the greatest need
Start simple
18. Brainstorm your ideas, your process
Identify the objective, procedure and steps and begin pulling
information together.
Write it down.
19.
20. This will act as a guide and structure for
pre-production.
Identify the major points and steps for what needs to be
included in the tutorial.
Break down the difficult steps into smaller steps, and
add any minor points; they may end up supporting the
needed transitions.
This outline does not need to be detailed, as much as it
needs to be comprehensive.
21.
22. Once the content outline has been reviewed and is
solid, use it to write the script for each individual
screencast.
Why write a script?
The result is a more polished, professional product.
The script details what will be said throughout the
screencast, realizing it will be edited several times
prior to producing the screencast.
Must be clear, concise and explicit.
23.
24.
25. Let’s start by going to FAU’s home page, located at
http://www.fau.edu/
28. Personalize the screencast for patrons whenever
possible.
◦ Using PowerPoint, create a slide to introduce your project and the
librarian narrating the screencast with an actual or avatar picture
of the narrator.
For the final piece of your screencast, create a summary
slide in PowerPoint with ‘Key Points to Remember’ from
the screencast.
◦ This is especially helpful for patrons when there is a lot of
information presented.
29. Create a storyboard with the script and identified
graphics.
PowerPoint is a great tool to use to create a storyboard.
Check storyboard for accuracy of topic you are teaching.
It is imperative that your script match the graphics being
described.
Check or edit any transitions.
30.
31.
32. At the beginning of the project, set up a
workflow feedback and approval process with admin
and other supervisors and all interested parties.
As you receive feedback and approval, you will be
empowered in the production process. It will keep the process
flowing smoothly.
It was imperative for us to get feedback upon completion of
the script, storyboard and the screencast prior to making it
public.
Do not record your screencast until you have received
approval to do so.
33.
34. This is a time-consuming process, due to the learning
curve required for most software.
Track activities, progress, and difficulties, including
procedures and simple tips. Maintain detailed instructions
for reference.
Record all meetings, feedback received, status/stage of
your screencast, suggestions, and timelines (i.e., deadlines).
35. Working in a team environment with a team leader is an
effective way to divide tasks and complete a timely
screencast.
Divide tasks between group members.
This same individual can keep your supervisors and
administrators abreast of your process, progress and concerns.
36. Practice speaking and recording on the
microphone.
Work on comfort level with using a microphone and with hearing your
recorded voice.
Get comfortable reading and practicing a script with microphone.
Pay attention to your pace and pronunciation throughout
the practice session. You may or may not need to make
changes in your speaking and presentation from
observations made during practice. Most tutorials are
only three to five minutes.
Decide on microphone that suits you, your group, and your voices.
37. To practice, access a free and similar software
called Jing from the creators of Camtasia,
Techsmith, at www.jingproject.com.
38.
39. Expect a learning curve during which you will
learn A LOT of new skills.
Consult with tutorials as needed
(www.techsmith.com).
Embrace trial & error.
◦ Be patient, supportive and generous with smiles!
Utilize individual skills and interests, and apply
them to the various roles.
Become familiar with software features: identify
what works best for you and your project.
40. Rehearse to get comfortable with
everything!
◦ Use the storyboard to arrange screen transitions and
narrations.
◦ Check the microphone for sound quality and adjust it, if
necessary.
◦ If using the Internet, decide on what will be visible on the
computer screen (URL, menus, etc.).
◦ If you are comfortable with your task, production (and
everything thereafter) will go smoothly!
41. (Top) Before
recording:
determine the
screen size and
what will be
recording for a
screen capture.
(Bottom) During
recording: see
‘Audio’ for sound
quality, and also
the keys for
stopping and
restarting
recording.
Example: Recording with Screen Shots
42. Be familiar with the features needed for the type of
recording you want to make.
Expect to have multiple takes… be flexible.
Again, be generous in your patience (especially
towards yourself).
If you make a mistake, pause, then try again.
Script edits, updates, and good ideas often appear
at this point.
44. Production roles can be assigned by interest or
rotated to promote familiarity with the
technology.
◦ Roles were changed periodically so we could each
master the software and the different responsibilities
attached to each role.
Narrator (the voice)
Producer (recording)
Editor (editing and cutting)
More technical aspects as well as nuts & bolts
of production can be found in our “Best
Practices” document.
45. After the screencast was recorded, editing
needed to be done.
Editing uses different tools within the Camtasia
software than those used during production.
◦ Examples: cutting, call-outs, Zoom-n-Pan
PowerPoint and Internet screen actions become
sewn together at this point.
◦ “Import” features are used.
◦ This required the use of the “slice” feature and others not so
readily familiar to many.
46. When editing was completed, we
distributed our “final draft” for approval.
After approval, the screencast was ready
to be posted to the web.
◦ Final production was assisted by the Systems and Digital
Libraries departments.
◦ This presented another layer of expertise that we had to
learn or at least become familiar, including: file and
sound formats, and other technical aspects of making it
be web-ready.
48. During pre-production and production, we kept
careful notes about how things were done.
We compiled what worked for us.
We recognized that due to our assignments, priorities, and some unknowns,
we could not finish the project in one concentrated block of time.
We gradually created a Best Practices document for future reference to
be used when producing future screencasts.
This document permitted us to share and distribute what we learned
through our collective experience.
49. We were asked to advise how this project
should proceed.
“It ain’t easy…”
Create screencasts on topics that impact the
highest number of library users.
Beware: content changes rapidly!
Recommended changes to the initial idea of how
Camtasia would be used in the department.
The project was later continued.
50. Screencasts were later used in other library
projects, especially with social tools
(LibGuides, YouTube, etc.).
51. The Camtasia project generated a life of its
own!
We had:
◦ a continuity plan,
◦ careful records,
◦ other supporting documentation,
◦ and most importantly, THE INTEREST!
52. Thank you for your participation and
interest!
Kristy Padron – kpadron (at) fau.edu
Alyse Ergood – aergood (at) fau.edu
Lauri Rebar – lrebar (at) fau.edu
FAU Reference: (561) 297-3780
Editor's Notes
Volunteered to be on the committee. Being given the assignment (broad and specific) by Administration. Each of us in this committee had worked at the library for only 1-2 years and had varying backgrounds, comfort levels with technology, etc. Previous attempts in prior year(s) by others to do this same thing had not been successful, which challenged us to discover the secret.
What elements do we want to teach in each session? Audience needs - what are they and how do we meet their needs ? Easy to use (keep it SIMPLE) Easy to remember (keep it SIMPLE) Functionality – How to determine what makes it functional? Building on ideas Is each session a separate entity? Are we trying to build on ideas?)
Screen capture vs PowerPoint presentation via Camtasia Work flow - one person do A-Z, or one to script, one to record, one to edit. Keeping track of sequencing of steps from first model so we don't recreate the wheel with each screencast. Development of "best practices" from initial session(s) (what makes best practices ? )
How to measure progress we make in preparing the session Goals v “Success?” How closely are we meeting our original expectations? How to test project on user group. Who to use for this step – Students in Library Friends Student workers in Library
I would remove “how to do” or restate: What skills did we need before we started to produce the tutorials.?
Our understanding of the charge given to us. The order in which we would create the projects. A simple, sample storyboard for the first project. A timeline – detailed for first project (by week, by task) and then more generalized by date/month for the other two projects.
Helped fulfill portions of our Libraries’ Mission and Plan. This project was seen by Administration and ILIS as answering student needs and being a service issue (especially as we are going forward with more distance learning classes) ILIS met several times to discuss which tutorials were the most important. We were part of that ILIS committee and also took part in the discussions and gave input.
By Administration and ILIS From multiple departments and individuals Made this more of a cooperative effort for the libraries Not just a project by Reference Librarians. Confirm accuracy of information presented with other departments.
How to estimate the time Software not previously used research the amount of time for each task, while we were all working on other projects at the same time and continued to have multiple duties. Meet multiple times with our calendars to consider and decide the feasibility of what we planned, and when it could be completed. A timeline was developed by us and included as part of our Proposal I would say “include” as part of our Proposal (above)
Establishing goals and mileposts. (Necessary in order to create a workflow.) I made a separate sentence and added parentheses. We explored how each other worked best in different situations (brainstorming, storyboard, research, production, etc.), and also which tasks appealed most to each of us. We also developed a sense of each other’s strengths and weaknesses as we worked on the workflow. We scheduled assignments to correspond to these, and then mentor each other after we had successfully completed a task. We based a lot of the initial workflow on the research we did of how other people worked with Camtasia and their Best Practices.
Research was necessary. Centralized our research via Delicious.com bookmarks. Camtasia category – anything relating to Camtasia. TechSmith category – items produced by TechSmith, who created Camtasia.
Google searched for completed projects by other universities. (especially those with comments.) Gleaned advice and tips from these sites, i.e., Size of recording screen KISS (keep it simple, stupid) Tips for using microphone (we used Kleenex over our microphone to soften our consonants.) Searched for Best Practices from other universities, knowing that a lot of these same items could later become our Best Practices. Realized that revisions would be made to our assumptions throughout the creative process, and that we had to be flexible in our expectations and methods. Technology is constantly changing, so what appeared to be good information might actually be dated. Regularly monitor changes in programs and technology applications.
What elements make for a good podcast?, one that students will want to view, can understand and one of which we would be proud? ADA compliant (picture, printed words, spoken words) Ability to rewind or replay, speed up, etc. Focus on topic Simplicity Length of podcast (3-5 minutes maximum) Transitions between PowerPoint, Screenshots and Screencapture Consistency in the presentation of the content (opening slide with introduction, body, closing slide(s) with key points to remember)
Decide on topic to cover, based on consensus or preference. For example, our first tutorial was on “How to do a Basic Search in the Library catalog”.
This is what you have to cover. Supplement the outline with minor steps and procedures, no majorly detailed. For example, here is the content outline for our basic search tutorial….it includes the following:
Goals, expectations, roles….topics, Remember to take notes on topic- another mini brainstorming effort. Don’t include but keep-(As if you were going to teach someone how to do something by providing the steps) Provides some ideas and guidance for you. Move from notes to a list and then outline.
Create an outline prior to doing each screencast. Provides organization and structure, including transitioning within your screencast. Ensures that your major points are covered.
It is evident that the process of creating an outline evolves…it certainly gets easier with time. Here is our first and third outline that we created.
We divided the work amongst the three of us throughout the entire process with one person doing the outline while the other do did the script. For example, here is the script that we used for our basic search tutorial.
Screenshots Images Photographs Power point slides
Screenshots:For example if you are going to show how to access an electronic book from outside the library, perhaps you would include a catalog record for an electronic book in the images.
A storyboard serves as a visual representation of what you want to accomplish through your tutorial.. We divided the work among the three of us throughout the entire process, so while one person did the outline, the others worked on the script and story board, with feedback from each other throughtout the process. You might want to start looking for graphics and images to include, if you aren’t very saavy at finding images on the web. You can always use them for future tutorials.
We used a storyboard to map out our screencast, but perhaps you want to do more of a film/comic strip and use pencil and paper. This is another good way to map out your screencast prior to production. Three examples of how you might want to map out the story with some visuals and basic directions.
Note the script and the images.
I strongly discourage you from beginning to record your screencast until you receive the approval to do so from all supervisors involved with your project. From experience, this is arduous work, and anything that contributes to making it flow more simply is advisable.
Consider all feedback…also consider the population you are making the tool for….
Documenting these complex tasks can help if the software changes and/or if you end up taking a hiatus from working on these screencasts.
This is dependent upon your library, we updated on a monthly basis. Also, it is important to troubleshoot any issues as extensively as possible prior to stating that something is or is not a possibility.
Embrace trial & error. Turn it around to identify better or best practices.
Make changes as seen fit!
Camtasia can record narration during screen shots and also during a PowerPoint presentation. NOTE: I don’t know if “make” is the best word, or “do”… whatever was there before I changed it didn’t work for me. =)
NOTE: I made a lot of adjustments on this slide, including spacing, etc.
NOTE: I changed wording here… don’t know if it says what you were intending.
One time, our final recording was not approved! We were given initial directions on how the screencast was to be distributed to Digital Libraries for posting, though this gradually changed.
We revisited the initial charge and notes, and then created an additional screencast, with a third one in the works.