Video is becoming easier to shoot, edit, and use in training. However, just because we have the ability to make videos doesn’t mean they are worth watching.

I ran across a nice video series on Butterscotch.com about “How do I…Shoot Better Video?“. It gives some nice tips to make our videos better.

The first two videos give a quick overview around video equipment and how to get good audio. Then the next two videos talk about getting better quality and good techniques.

Tips to Increase Quality

• Make sure you have good lighting. You may need to purchase a small light kit.
• White balance the camera and make sure that it is a true white.
• Make sure the camera is focusing on the main object. Sometimes the camera focuses on the background instead.
• Keep the camera stable. If possible use a tripod or if you’re holding the camera by hand make sure that you have nice fluid movements.

Techniques

• Shoot more footage than you think you need you’ll need. This will leave room to do transitions. Give yourself a few seconds before the action starts.
• Shoot retakes so that you have different versions. Include different angels in the retakes.
• Get some “b-roll” of things that you can use to cover up editing mistake and cuts. Make sure that you include some close-ups.
• Avoid digital zoom. If needed move the camera towards the action. Digital zoom hurts the quality.

Additional video resources:

Ten Myths about Video in eLearning
Tips for Using Video in eLearning
Using Video in eLearning
Instructional Design for Video

Flash eLearning Activities (source files included!)

Video can add a lot of impact to your online training. However, at time it seems a bit overwhelming to start creating and implementing video.

There are a lot of things to think about: editing software, cameras, compression, streaming, storage, audio, etc.

Here are a few articles that can help:

Ten Myths about Video in eLearning
Tips for Using Video in eLearning
Using Video in eLearning
Instructional Design for Video

Easily create Flash interactions and games online! No programming or Flash experience needed.

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Video is really taking off in the eLearning world and can add to the effectiveness of content. However, when using video there are many things to think about.

Typical steps to get video into an online course:

1. Script the video on paper
2. Record (sound and audio)
3. Edit
4. Compress/Render
5. Insert into eLearning authoring tool
6. Place on server
7. Open up access to the learners

Each one of the steps above takes various technical skills.

A big challenge when using video is to keep a high-level of quality but not have the files size too big. There are various techniques that help when compressing and deploying video. Flash .swf and .flv (Flash Video) is a great way to overcome these issues.

I found an article that focuses on compression, security, and deployment and could help you deploy your eLearning videos.

The article below addresses a scenario where a company needs to train 1500 employees using a 30 minute video. They are worried about security and the quality of their video. They will also have many employees accessing the video at the same time. Limited bandwidth is a worry.

Article: Deploying Online Courses with Video Content (Syberworks)

Quickly build eLearning games and eLearning interactions. Works with your eLearning authoring tool. No programming needed.

A lot of training is using video and it’s becoming very easy to create and distribute. As things become easier and cheaper we often see the quality decrease. For example, if you had to spend $10,000 to hire a camera crew to come out and do a video shoot then you’d probably have all of the scripts and talent well prepared. However, if you can quickly create a video on your handheld camera and upload it to YouTube then you might be tempted to just “wing-it”.

Here is a great article by Jeremy Vest on things to keep in mind when doing instructional design for video.

7 Sins of Online Video Instructional Design
April 30, 2009
By Jeremy Vest (Chief learning officer of Splash Media and author of “Exploring Web Design.” )

With the popularity of video sites such as YouTube, which now accounts for 25 percent of all searches on the Web, the consumption of video training is now a reality in most organizations and colleges. This accessible forum has made it easier for organizations to produce and provide online training videos. While this technology is available to anyone, companies do need to take time to consider the quality of the online training videos they are producing and providing. The following will give you a perspective of common, yet avoidable, mistakes most companies make when creating online training videos:

1. Not connected to learners
Have the subject matter expert (SME) address the camera, and do not just show screen shots. Change up shots; do not keep static too long. The more impersonal you make your training videos, the less likely your learners will feel a connection to the SME. This will cause a less engaged overall learning experience. Click here for an example of a connected online video.

2. Poor planning before the shoot
If you are using a SME, make sure they are prepared for the day of the shoot. Ask them to give you a plan that details each three to seven-minute video unit weeks prior to the day of the shoot. Make sure they practice; in particular, you might want them to practice live with you via Web cam. If they are using any type of presentation, make sure it is designed well and check for any grammatical errors. Finally, make sure the SME understands how to dress and look for taping.

3. Video length is too long
Would you like to sit down and watch a 30-to-60 minute video clip? Neither would your learners! Three to seven minutes seems to be the optimum length for online video learning. Most large online training companies have moved, or are preparing to move, to this format.

4. No close captioning
Close-caption all of your videos. It’s good for the disabled, good for compliance, and good for search engine results. It can be expensive, and not always practical, but when possible it is a best practice to close caption your video

5. Video and delivery is poor quality
Use a reliable service to deliver your streaming video. This will ensure proper video delivery worldwide. Make sure the video is not too low or high quality for download. The video player should be simple to use, and should buffer before playing.

6. No comprehension
Keeping with the basic rules of the adult learning model, make sure your audience understands what they just watched and why. Remember, knowledge transference is a major reason they are watching the video. Offer end-of-course tests and reviews; this will ensure learners are really learning something, and that they will retain the information.

7. No Hands-on lessons
Task your learners with hands-on lessons. Keep the lessons practical. Remember adult learners respond to relevancy-oriented training. Offering online self-paced autonomous training can greatly improve a company’s overall training system.

Checkout our flash eLearning games.

There are lots of ways to learn more how to use your design/development software. I recently came across a new video training site from Adobe. Lots of great, short videos.