Monday 21 November 2011
Wednesday 16 November 2011
MIT Libraries Screencast - A Good Example
Today I watched a screencast entitled "About the MIT Libraries" (available at http://libguides.mit.edu/video/ ) on their LibGuides page.
I have started creating video tutorials for library staff at my workplace, so I'm interested in how to make good screencasts; scripting, what to cover, how to speak, and how to display a screencast. Watching MIT Libraries' introductory video gave me some ideas for my own work.
I suppose that most people who are likely to watch video tutorials know how to enlarge the viewing area so it fills more of the screen than the default 4 cm x 5 cm space on a webpage. However, I wonder if it might be good to include a note--either as a caption to the static video screen, or initially in the video--that one can click on the 4-arrow icon to enlarge the picture. Myself, I rarely enlarged video screens on webpages when I watched them. But my husband always maximizes the screens because he can't stand watching something so small. I wonder if people would eschew video tutorials based on their unawareness that they can make the screen bigger? We post our tutorials on our workplace Youtube channel, so most users wouldn't find this an issue…I think?
In any case, I maximized the screen to watch MIT's video. It captures the libraries' webpage and contains too much detail to watch in its smallest mode.
The narrator works her way step by step through the most basic steps on the home page; her explanations of the sidebar are clear and succinct. She also directed viewers to other video tutorials for help using the sidebar selections.
The next part of the tutorial was a map of library locations, each representing a subject area or two. The video also directs viewers back to the home page, and on to LibGuides to find the subject librarian for their faculty, and that librarian's recommended resources.
The tutorial concludes by pointing to the "Ask Us" and "Tell Us" buttons on the home page which allow a simple way for students to communicate questions or comments.
The screencast is under 4 minutes, and gives good basic info for students within that length of time. There was only the briefest of stumbles on her words in the middle of the video, highlighting that the script was well-practiced and otherwise very well delivered.
I have started creating video tutorials for library staff at my workplace, so I'm interested in how to make good screencasts; scripting, what to cover, how to speak, and how to display a screencast. Watching MIT Libraries' introductory video gave me some ideas for my own work.
I suppose that most people who are likely to watch video tutorials know how to enlarge the viewing area so it fills more of the screen than the default 4 cm x 5 cm space on a webpage. However, I wonder if it might be good to include a note--either as a caption to the static video screen, or initially in the video--that one can click on the 4-arrow icon to enlarge the picture. Myself, I rarely enlarged video screens on webpages when I watched them. But my husband always maximizes the screens because he can't stand watching something so small. I wonder if people would eschew video tutorials based on their unawareness that they can make the screen bigger? We post our tutorials on our workplace Youtube channel, so most users wouldn't find this an issue…I think?
In any case, I maximized the screen to watch MIT's video. It captures the libraries' webpage and contains too much detail to watch in its smallest mode.
The narrator works her way step by step through the most basic steps on the home page; her explanations of the sidebar are clear and succinct. She also directed viewers to other video tutorials for help using the sidebar selections.
The next part of the tutorial was a map of library locations, each representing a subject area or two. The video also directs viewers back to the home page, and on to LibGuides to find the subject librarian for their faculty, and that librarian's recommended resources.
The tutorial concludes by pointing to the "Ask Us" and "Tell Us" buttons on the home page which allow a simple way for students to communicate questions or comments.
The screencast is under 4 minutes, and gives good basic info for students within that length of time. There was only the briefest of stumbles on her words in the middle of the video, highlighting that the script was well-practiced and otherwise very well delivered.
Tuesday 1 November 2011
It's been fun getting reacquainted with Flickr. It's a respite from the sometimes overwhelming world of library service & literacy that fills my weekdays. Lately I've felt like my brain has shut off until it gets a full day of rest from having to comprehend or execute or prioritize or analyze.
I like what I've heard of libraries or other social organizations using Flickr to show special events, the people involved in the group. Flickr shares stories and helps people feel connected and inspired to groups they may never meet physically. Personally, I've been compelled to look up pictures with the tag "Venice." I just posted some pictures of a recent trip to Venice, Italy, on Facebook; and I realized how little I got to see in the short time I was there. I'm eager to see other people's pictures, read their comments, and get a better understanding of what I could see next time.
There is a photostream for "Alberta Libraries," (the "group") which my library system belongs to. I've subscribed to the stream via RSS, and by looking at the photos organized into "sets," it's like looking at a calendar of major events in our province. I recognize library staff in the pictures who I've met at conferences and during training sessions. Other pictures show libraries and staff who I've contacted via email or telephone, and I can see what they look like. This helps build a sense of connection, too; and I can mention seeing them on Flickr the next time we talk. I've also found some great images just by searching for "alberta libraries". Flickr's a fun way for me to see what some of my colleagues have been up to!
Here's a pic of my co-worker Lauren from Flickr, taken at a symposium on the future of libraries:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)