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Transcript of Guide multimedi knpresentationsv2a
Multimedia Knowledge Presentations (Objects)
A Guide for Developers
July 2011
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Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 3 What are knowledge objects? ............................................................................................... 3
2. CREATION OF KNOWLEDGE OBJECTS ........................................................................ 8 Problem Identification .......................................................................................................... 8 Collection of Knowledge Materials ...................................................................................... 8 Logical Structure Design ...................................................................................................... 9
3. MULTIMEDIA TOOLS ..................................................................................................... 11
Text/Document Editors ....................................................................................................... 11 MSWord (2003 or higher) .............................................................................................. 11
MS PowerPoint (2003 or higher) .................................................................................... 13
Adobe Acrobat Professional (version 8 or higher) ......................................................... 14 Image Processing ................................................................................................................ 16 Audio Recording ................................................................................................................. 17 Video Recording ................................................................................................................. 17
Computer Animation .......................................................................................................... 18
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1. INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this guide is to provide simple instructions (step-by-step procedures) for
creating multimedia knowledge objects that can be distributed to telecentres and other
community-based facilities that have computers.
We mention other types of knowledge objects, for example printed materials, radio and TV
broadcast, and traditional communication means (e.g. street theatre, puppet show) but we do
not elaborate about their production and dissemination. The focus of this guide is the process
and tools for creating multimedia computer-based knowledge objects.
What are knowledge objects?
In today‟s world one can learn and acquire knowledge from many sources, but in most cases
we are flooded with information and not gaining enough knowledge at the time and place
where it is needed most. One of critical barriers for sharing knowledge is inappropriate form
of knowledge presentation to an intended audience. We describe and present knowledge in
forms ranging from documents, books and multimedia materials to oral stories, street
theatres, and poetry recitation events. For all forms to make a real impact, both the
knowledge object (content) and the process of its uptake are important.
Knowledge object is a presentation/description of a “chunk” of knowledge in a form that
allows for building capacity to take effective action by those to whom the knowledge object
is communicated. One of the functions of knowledge management is to deliver needed
knowledge objects at the right time and place.
The process of development and delivery of knowledge object encompasses:
• defining the scope and objectives of knowledge object;
• understanding of information internalization capabilities and existing sources of
knowledge of target audiences;
• exploring formats of delivery (contextualization, localization, media);
• testing the method of learning and sharing knowledge by intended audience;
• creating knowledge objects and facilitating their sharing.
Examples:
A document (in electronic or paper format) describing the operation of a steam engine. The
knowledge entity is the knowledge on how the steam engine works. This kind of knowledge
object is appropriate for literate people who are used to study printed materials and have
sufficient understanding of technical terminology relevant to engine operations.
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A map presenting the distribution of health care centers is an encoded representation of an
entity of knowledge from the field of the health care in a country. A capability to read and
understand maps is needed in this context.
A video film that shows how to build a bee hive is a knowledge objects for those who
understand the language used in the video and are able to understand and replicate the
operations shown in the video.
Knowledge is what a person knows. It means that the main purpose of knowledge objects is
to enable to gain knowledge - to know more or to know better.
The intended user/recipient of knowledge object is one of main attributes of the knowledge
object. The ability of the recipient to absorb the knowledge represented by the knowledge
object is the characteristic that distinguishes the knowledge object from data or information
objects.
For example, a knowledge object describing a bio-sand water filter and intended for a literate
farmer in Nepal could be a leaflet with a sequence of pictures and short texts in Nepali. The
purpose of this object is for the farmer to gain knowledge on how to assemble the filter,
where to find needed materials, and how to obtain financing (microcredit?). Therefore the
attributes of the bio-sand water filter knowledge object (leaflet) must include values
(context) such as:
- the problem addressed by the knowledge object (better drinking water)
- intended users (characteristics of the users – Nepali farmers)
- language (Nepali or perhaps one of many dialects)
- geographic location for usage (mountain regions where water in rivers is muddy)
- links to complementary knowledge objects (e.g. concerning market and suppliers of
filter components))
- links to comments from other users of the knowledge object
- format of knowledge presentation (in this case – the leaflet).
In addition, the creator or distributor of this knowledge object should be able to check if the
receiver of the knowledge object was actually able to use the acquired knowledge and
assemble the filter.
A knowledge object is considered as a triad:
- presentation entity (e.g. book, multimedia material, oral story, live show)
- context (collection of attributes mentioned above)
- process (absorption and application of knowledge and its results).
The analysis of knowledge objects is a very complex issue because it involves the
consideration of:
- the actual knowledge represented by the object (the knowledge that is valid and
verified),
- the cognitive and learning capacity of users,
- the suitability of the presentation format,
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- the process of applying the knowledge and its effects.
A picture below shows a knowledge object – live demonstration of new varieties of grass to
be used as a fodder for cattle. The receivers are illiterate farmers engaged in a government
programme of re-cultivation of wastelands.
A multimedia knowledge object could be a combination of video clips from this
demonstration supplemented by recorded comments from farmers and additional
explanations written or recorded in local language.
Fig. 1 Knowledge object in the format of live demonstration (technical briefing for
illiterate audience)
In the following sections of this guide we will describe the process of creating a multimedia
knowledge object.
A multimedia knowledge object is a computer-based presentation of a structure of elements
such as texts, photographs, video clips, audio clips, maps, animations, and graphics designed
to share knowledge with intended audience.
Following the determination of the problem to be addressed by the knowledge object and
intended audiences/recipients and their characteristics, and other attributes mentioned above,
the process of development of the multimedia knowledge object includes:
a) Deciding which topics relevant to the problem must be included in multimedia
presentation, for example, the knowledge object about candle may include topics
such as materials for candle making, preparation of wax, candle moulding procedure,
and packaging of candles;
b) Design of a logical structure of particular topics (browsing through the elements of
the presentation) covering the problem area;
c) Collecting of multimedia materials to be used for presentation of specific topics;
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d) Selecting and formatting multimedia materials to be included in the presentation;
e) Selecting the software tool and compiling the multimedia presentation;
f) Testing the presentation and if possible obtaining some feedback/evaluation of the
knowledge object from intended users;
g) Producing the multimedia presentation (knowledge object) in delivery format.
A multimedia knowledge object can be a relatively small structure addressing very specific
problem, for example - the preparation of fruits for juice making or candle making, or a
complex multilevel structure, for example - the beekeeping manual.
A computer-based presentation of candle making is a knowledge object that can be delivered
by village telecentres or development workers/project staff equipped with a laptop. For
example, a PowerPoint presentation showing slides with pictures, voice explanations and
short video clips can explain how the candle works, what materials are needed to make
candles, how to prepare materials, how to make candles and package them for the market. A
picture below illustrates the concept of candle making knowledge object.
Fig. 2 Knowledge object in the format of PowerPoint presentation
Another example of knowledge object is the presentation about beekeeping developed using
the experimental software produced by Canadian company Solanta Technologies Inc. The
software allows generating a browser of multimedia materials in any language. Only basic
skills in computing are needed to compile the presentation that includes text, audio and video
clips, images, and slide collections. Users of the browser do not need training. They only
need to know how to use a pointing device (mouse or touch screen).
The picture below shows the screen of the beekeeping browser.
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Fig. 3 Knowledge object in the format of multimedia presentation generated using the
Solanta Editor
We believe that in time the availability of tools for making and sharing knowledge objects
(digital cameras, voice recorders, mobile phones, easy-to-use authoring software) will allow
for participatory creation of knowledge objects including farmers, women groups, young
people, i.e. knowledge sharing among users-creators of knowledge objects.
In this guide we will use small examples of multimedia materials in Bangla and English
concerning candle making and elements of beekeeping browser to illustrate the knowledge
object development process.
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2. CREATION OF KNOWLEDGE OBJECTS
The main purpose of creation of knowledge objects is to share knowledge using the
presentation formats most suitable for intended audiences. The value of a knowledge object
can be measured by the effects of activities undertaken as the result of gaining the
knowledge.
The emphasis on the internalization of knowledge and effective action leads to the
requirement that creators of knowledge objects must possess high expertise in the subject
matters and be familiar with diverse methods of knowledge presentation – both traditional
and using advance technologies. At the same time, knowledge object creators must be able to
identify real needs for specific knowledge in target communities.
In the case of multimedia presentation the main challenge is to collect source materials
(texts, images, audio recordings, video clips, and drawings) and design a structure of selected
elements that will be presented to the user in the format appropriate for the effective
absorption of presented knowledge.
Problem Identification
We are discussing knowledge objects development in the context of development projects
and needs of poor communities that need additional knowledge to improve their livelihoods.
The need for knowledge about beekeeping in the case of development project at ICIMOD,
Nepal was identified when the means for additional income were considered for poor
mountain communities.
In many areas of Himalaya – Hindu Kush there is no much possibility to increase
agricultural production from small plots of arable land. Beekeeping and cultivation of
medicinal plants provide an opportunity to respond to market demands, but for many
smallholders it means acquiring new knowledge. They also need knowledge about markets
for new products, packaging and quality requirements, transportation, and financial
arrangements (e.g. small credits for equipment and starting new business).
It is very important that potential users of planned presentation participate in the process of
identification of real needs for knowledge materials. It allows not only for setting up the right
priorities but also for finding out what local knowledge can be included in the presentation.
Collection of Knowledge Materials
Many information materials concerning the knowledge needed in development projects were
produced and disseminated in the past. Most of them were in printed format, usually in
English, French, or Spanish and using scientific terminology. They were addressed mainly to
academic environments, government officials, and educated development activists in
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developing countries. They were also a source for creating printed materials (brochures,
posters, cartoons) and radio ad TV broadcasts in vernaculars.
Recent developments in electronic technologies and channels of communication allow for
transformation of existing knowledge materials into contents and formats most suitable for
people with little educations or illiterate who know only their mothers‟ tongues. They also
make possible the capturing and sharing of traditional indigenous knowledge, thus making
knowledge materials more relevant to concrete local problems and available to all members
of the community.
The use of text, voice, images, video, and computer animation (multimedia) allows for
presentation of complex issues in the format and language appropriate for diverse
communities of users of knowledge materials, from illiterate farmers to development
workers and administrators. One of the critical processes in the preparation of multimedia
presentations is the selection of source materials that will be assembled into the presentation
addressing specific audience.
For example, the beekeeping team at ICIMOD had a large library of hundreds of articles and
books, over 1,000 photographs, and a few video and audio recordings, almost all of them in
English. Some materials were available in Nepali and Hindi. The presentation was developed
in English with some elements translated into Nepali in a pilot project. The main issue was to
select appropriate materials from the existing libraries and identify what additional elements
were needed to make the presentation to cover all subject areas. Additional video clips were
needed to present better the construction of bee hives and bee colony inspection.
The identification of local materials (stories from people, photographs) is very important for
making the presentation more relevant and creating a sense of ownership and empowerment
in the knowledge sharing process.
Logical Structure Design
The design of logical structure of multimedia elements is the critical step in the process of
creation of presentation. Different people have different capacity to absorb information
presented in text, pictures, voice, and video clips. Reading of a long complex text may be
beyond the capacity of people not used to study, a photo with unfamiliar objects may require
too much explanation in text or voice. Audio or video clips, if are too long or covering too
many issues, may be too difficult to follow. The creator of a multimedia presentation must
remember all the time not about her/his absorption capacity but that of the target audience. If
possible the process of selection of information materials and creating the logical structure
should involve local specialists and potential users. The navigation through the presentation
structure (i.e. moving from text to pictures and voice and audio recordings) should be easy
and if possible tested with potential users before producing the final delivery version.
In the case of beekeeping, four domain experts prepared over 100 questions that after several
iterations were combined into 11 topic clusters. This was a very important stage in system
design, since the navigation through tree-like structure of knowledge objects should allow
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finding of relevant knowledge objects in no more than 2-3 steps (selections on the screen).
Domain experts also identified a collection of relevant publications and thousands of
photographs. They recommended the places in the structure where it would be useful to have
video and audio clips (produced for the project or selected from existing materials).
A delivery of an effective knowledge presentation in a computer environment requires:
- deep expertise in a knowledge domain (e.g. beekeeping, ecoturism, soil erosion); the
expertise is needed for structuring and presenting the domain knowledge at the level
of cognitive capabilities of target users,
- participation and cooperation of all stakeholders (domain experts, computer experts,
training specialists and users) in system conceptualization, design, implementation,
deployment and operation,
- top level expertise in computing technologies and information system design.
It is very important to meet all three of these requirements. Domain experts, even with a
solid training in computer technologies and computer programming, will usually spend much
more time solving computer technical problems than on concentrating on knowledge
structuring and analyzing user needs and capabilities. On the other hand, if computer
specialists are assigned to design the logical structure of the knowledge delivery system, they
concentrate more on finding „elegant‟ technical solutions than on effective knowledge
structures. They usually do not have sufficient in depth experience in the given knowledge
domain to identify knowledge sources or the best means for presenting specific issues and
assess if the system covers the knowledge domain properly and corresponds with the
cognitive capabilities of its users.
Participation of all stakeholders ensures that the knowledge delivery system will meet the
needs of intended users and allows for corrective actions at each stage of system
development.
The process of preparing the input data (simple information materials) structure by domain
experts is as follows.
- Domain experts prepare a collection of questions (if possible together with target users) that
can be asked by potential users.
- Questions are analyzed to determine if they cover the entire intended subject area.
- Experts cluster the questions to cover specific topics.
- Clusters of questions are the basis for selection of information materials, building the
structure, and forming knowledge objects of manageable sizes.
- Domain experts create knowledge objects and locate them in the input data structure
(computer directory).
When the collection of knowledge objects (simple objects in the form of documents, audio
and video clips, animation clips, etc.) have been prepared and stored as a computer directory
structure, the presentation developer can select a proper software tool (authoring package
such as Adobe Acrobat Professional, PowerPoint, or Solanta Editor) for the implementation
of the presentation and production of a delivery media (e.g. CDROM, Internet server).
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3. MULTIMEDIA TOOLS
There are many computer tools (authoring software packages) that allow for combining
different media elements into multimedia presentations/documents. For example, using the
Microsoft document editor (MSWord) one can create a document that contains text, audio
and video clips, and images. Adobe Acrobat Professional and Microsoft Power Point also
allow for combining multimedia elements. There are many website creation tools such as
PageMaker, HTML Editors, Dreamweaver that support development of multimedia web
pages.
This guide is just an introduction to the world of multimedia. Its purpose is to describe
concepts and skills needed to create a multimedia presentation at the level of basic computer
literacy.
We will use the most common software MSWord, Adobe Acrobat and PowerPoint to
compile simple knowledge objects and simple media processing software for preparation of
audio and video clips, and images. The development of animations and websites is beyond
the scope of this guide.
We will use files in the following formats:
Printable (text, graphics, images, diagrams, tables, etc. (.DOC, .PDF, .TXT,
.PPT)
Media (audio - .WAV, .MP3 and video clips - .AVI, .MPEG, .WMV, .FLV), and
animations - .FLA, .FLC, .FLI, .GIF, .SWF)
Creation of computer-based animations will be the subject of separate guide. For the purpose
of knowledge object creation the user of this guide will use the animations prepared by
specialists in computer programming and animation.
Text/Document Editors
MSWord (2003 or higher)
In addition to editing text in many languages the MSWord document editor allows for
inserting in the text the objects such as drawings, images, audio and video clips, and other
objects created using applications compatible with the Microsoft environment.
Inserting a picture
(1) To insert a previously prepared image from a file position the cursor in the place you
wish to insert the picture. You may create a table if you wish to insert several pictures side
by side in table cells.
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(2) Select in the MSWord menu:
Insert -> Picture -> From File
(3) In the dialog box „Insert Picture‟ select in a directory the name of image file, usually the
file name with .jpg suffix. Other popular image file formats are: .bmp, .gif, .tif).
(4) Click on Insert button
The size of pictures to be inserted
Today‟s digital photo cameras produce high resolution pictures (usually over 7MegaPixels).
This large size/resolution is not needed when the picture is inserted into the document. It
makes the document size unnecessary large. Therefore it is recommended to resize the
picture to the size in the range between 640x480 and 320x240. Then the picture can be
further resized by simple dragging the points in the picture frame. Please see the section
„Image Processing‟.
Inserting an audio file
To insert previously prepared audio file (Please see the section „Audio Processing‟) follow
these steps:
(1) Position the cursor in the line in which you want to insert the audio file.
(2) In the MSWord menu select:
Insert -> Object
(3) In the dialog box „Object‟ click on „Create from File‟ and then click on the Browse
button and select the prepared audio file (.wav).
(4) Click on the OK button
A small loudspeaker icon appears in the document at the cursor position. When double-click
on the icon the computer will play the audio recording. The audio file has been embedded in
the content of the document.
(5) Save the MSWord document
Inserting a video clip
To insert previously prepared video file (Please see the section „Video Processing‟) follow
these steps:
(1) Position the cursor in the line in which you want to insert the video file.
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(2) In the MSWord menu select:
Insert -> Object
(3) In the dialog box „Object‟ click on „Create from File‟ and then click on the Browse
button and select the prepared video file (.mpeg). Select the box „Display as icon‟.
(4) Click on the OK button
A small icon and the path name of selected video file appear in the document at the cursor
position. When double-click on the icon the computer will play the video clip. The video file
has been embedded in the content of the document.
(5) Save the MSWord document
MS PowerPoint (2003 or higher)
Inserting a picture
(1) Select in the PowerPoint menu:
Insert -> Picture -> From File
(2) In the dialog box „Insert Picture‟ select in a directory the name of image file, usually the
file name with .jpg suffix. Other popular image file formats are: .bmp, .gif, .tif).
(3) Click on Insert button
The size of pictures to be inserted
Today‟s digital photo cameras produce high resolution pictures (usually over 7MegaPixels).
This large size/resolution is not needed when the picture is inserted into the document. It
makes the document size unnecessary large. Therefore it is recommended to resize the
picture to the size in the range between 640x480 and 320x240. You may adjust the size of
the picture by dragging one of the drag points in the frame of the picture. Please see the
section „Image Processing‟.
Inserting an audio file
To insert previously prepared audio file (Please see the section „Audio Processing‟) follow
these steps:
(1) Position the cursor in the line in which you want to insert the audio file.
(2) Select in the PowerPoint menu:
Insert -> Object
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(3) In the dialog box „Object‟ click on „Create from File‟ and then click on the Browse
button and select the prepared audio file (.wav).
(4) Click on the OK button
A small loudspeaker icon appears in at the cursor position. When double-click on the icon
the computer will play the audio recording. The audio file has been embedded in the content
of the slide.
(5) Save the PowerPoint presentation.
Inserting a video clip
To insert previously prepared video file (Please see the section „Video Processing‟) follow
these steps:
(1) Position the cursor in the line in which you want to insert the video file.
(2) Select in the PowerPoint menu:
Insert -> Object
(3) In the dialog box „Object‟ click on „Create from File‟ and then click on the Browse
button and select the prepared video file (.mpeg). Select the box „Display as icon‟.
(4) Click on the OK button
A small icon and the path name to selected video file appear in at the cursor position. When
double-click on the icon the computer will play the video clip. The video file has been
embedded in the content of the document.
(5) Save the PowerPoint presentation.
Adobe Acrobat Professional (version 8 or higher)
An Adobe document can be created by scanning printed pages or by converting an MSWord
document into Adobe .pdf format. We recommend that you prepare the text document with
embedded images and graphics in MSWord and then convert it into .pdf format and then add
audio and video clips using the Adobe Acrobat Professional version 8 or higher.
Inserting a picture
To insert a previously prepared image follow these steps:
(1) Choose Tools > Advanced Editing > TouchUp Object Tool .
(2) Right-click/Control-click the page and choose Place Image.
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(3) Choose one of the following file formats: BMP, GIF, JPEG, or TIFF.
(4) Select an image file, and click Open.
A copy of the image file appears in the center of the page, at the same resolution as the
original file.
(5) You may adjust the size of the picture by dragging one of the corners of picture frame.
The size of pictures to be inserted
Today‟s digital photo cameras produce high resolution pictures (usually over 7MegaPixels).
This large size/resolution is not needed when the picture is inserted into the document. It
makes the document size unnecessary large. Therefore it is recommended to resize the
picture to the size in the range between 640x480 and 320x240. Please see the section „Image
Processing‟.
Inserting an audio file
To insert previously prepared audio file (Please see the section „Audio Processing‟) follow
these steps:
(1) Choose Tools > Advanced Editing, and select the Sound tool.
(2) Drag or double-click to select the area on the page where you want the sound icon to
appear.
(3)In the dialog box that appears, select a compatibility setting for your clip:
* Acrobat 6 (And later) Compatible media
(4) To specify the clip, type the path or URL in the Location box, or click Browse and
double-click the audio file.
A small loudspeaker icon appears in at the cursor position. When double-click on the icon
the computer will play the audio recording. The audio file has been embedded in the content
of the slide.
(5) Save the .PDF file
Inserting a video clip
To insert previously prepared video file (Please see the section „Video Processing‟) follow
these steps:
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(1) Choose Tools > Advanced Editing, and select the Movie tool.
(2) Drag or double-click to select the area on the page where you want the movie frame to
appear. For movies, the play area is the exact size of the movie frame (if Acrobat can read
the movie clip‟s dimensions).
(3) In the dialog box that appears, select a compatibility setting for your clip:
* Acrobat 6 (And later) Compatible media
(4) To specify the clip, type the path or URL in the Location box, or click Browse and
double-click the movie file.
If you selected Acrobat 6 (and Later) Compatible Media, you can include the clip with
the PDF by selecting Embed Content In Document. This option will increase the file
size of the PDF.
To display an image in the play area when the movie isn’t playing, select a poster
option, and then click OK. After you add the movie to the PDF, you can specify
additional properties that determine how the clip appears and plays.
(5) Save the .PDF file
Image Processing
Popular digital photo cameras allow taking pictures of acceptable quality for creating
multimedia documents. We recommend photo cameras of known brands Canon, Olympus,
Sony, Pentax in the price range $250USD - $500USD. Digital photo cameras are supplied
with the basic software for downloading the pictures to computer and simple processing of
photographs.
The main processing functions needed for creation of multimedia documents are:
- resize
- crop selection (extracting selected portion of the picture)
- rotate
- changing brightness
- changing contrast
- Save as (allows saving the image in selected format, e.g. .jpg, .tif, .gif, .bmp)
These operations are very easy to perform and can be learned using one of the available
application. We recommend the free software package IrfanView, that can be downloaded
from the website: www.irfanview.com.
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Audio Recording
Voice recording can be done by using digital voice recorders that can be connected by the
USB port to computers for downloading the audio files or by using one of many software
applications installed on the computer. Most laptops have built-in microphones and
applications for audio recording and processing. You may also plug in an external
microphone for better quality recording.
In Windows XP you may open the voice recorder by the following menu selection:
Start->All Programs->Accessories->Entertainment->Sound Recorder
The use of this software does not require much training. The menus are intuitive and after a
few trials you will be able to record the sound you may need for the multimedia presentation.
You may ask you IT specialist to check your computer if the microphone and speakers work
correctly.
You may do simple editing of the recorded voice session using the MS Sound Recorder and
these simple operations:
- Delete before current position
- Delete after current position
- Insert file.
Video Recording
Popular digital video cameras allow video recording of acceptable quality for creating
multimedia documents. We recommend the video cameras of known brands Sony, JVC,
Panasonic, Canon in the price range $450USD - $1,000USD. Higher price cameras of in the
price range $1,000 - $2,000USD would allow recording better quality full screen movies in
DVD format, but for production of multimedia documents the smaller size windows are
preferred in order to make the document size smaller and manageable if many video clips are
used.
Digital video cameras are supplied with the basic software for downloading the video
recordings to computer and simple video processing.
We do not discuss in this guide the video processing. A separate training will be needed to
develop basic skills in video processing. At the beginning the creators of multimedia
materials need to know how to use the software for viewing video clips, for example the
Microsoft Media Player in order to decide which video clips they need to be extracted from
the recording downloaded to the computer, i.e. simply to note the start and the end time of
the required clips.
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At the multimedia training courses we will provide basic training and demonstrations of
video processing. The users of this manual may experiment with video processing using the
Microsoft Windows Move Maker:
Start->All Programs->Windows Movie Makers.
A video recording downloaded from the video camera to the computer can be imported to
the Windows Movie Maker and then processed using the functions selected in menus, for
example the user can extract (cut) selected portions of the recording.
<Additional training on video processing will be provided for Practical Answers staff and
local knowledge agents>
Computer Animation
< to be added in next version>
<Additional training will be provided for local staff>