Video and iBooks Author

I continue to work on my eBook about data analysis using spreadsheet and database software every day.  Last week I finished writing two chapters with short tutorials for Excel.  After I finish the tutorials for FileMaker Pro, I will be creating supporting video for the iBooks Author eBook.  Fortunately, Frank Lowney is a member of our university's ePublishing faculty learning community.  Frank posted a blog on how to easily incorporate external video into iBooks Author at http://frank-lowney.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-to-easily-incorporate-exterbak.html with a HTML (hypertext mark-up language) widget.

He makes the point that if the video is embedded in the eBook, file size is an issue.  External video mitigates the problem; however, the user must have the ability to connect to the Internet.  Frank's blog includes a supporting video as well as screenshots with call-outs. I look forward to creating videos to support the eBook chapters.  Use of external video is certainly an option to explore.

Creating Videos for the Web

The first three days of class were cancelled at Georgia College this semester because of snow and ice.  I had all of my courses, except one, were designed in a hybrid mode, but not stand alone online.  Since timing of getting courses started was a critical factor, I created several podcasts to introduce the course syllabi, calendar, and navigation.  The Mac laptop (KeyNote, GarageBand, iTunes) and the free Elluminate headset (give-away at a conference last year) were immensely helpful.

After I created the podcasts, I uploaded them to the GC podcasting server.  One student had difficulties viewing them, so I also uploaded the PowerPoint equivalent (no audio).  The podcasts served as a work around to assist the students to get started on their courses.
We began a new series of Faculty Development workshops yesterday.  My goal is to improve the quality of my podcasts and to share resources that I discover helpful with everyone.

One of the education listservs that I follow has a very nice resource designed to help others create video for the web.  The resource is designed by Richard Byrne.  It is online at http://issuu.com/richardbyrne/docs/making-videos-on-the-web/1