ITEC 715The Design of Multimedia LearningWeek 9

Adobe Audition, Part 2Recall from Last Week

NormalizingNormalizing is the process of raising the loudest sound in your recording to digital maximum. That is, it raises the loudest sound to the loudest possible level; if it were any louder, youd get clipping.

At the same time, normalizing raises the volume of the rest of the recording by the same number of decibels. This results in a sound whose volume is as high as the bit-depth used will allow, without altering the recording in any other way.

Normalizing and Digital Noise ReductionSelect the entire wave (cmd-a)Choose Effect -> AmplifyAccept the defaults and hit OK to normalize the sound (peak normalization)Using the Selection Tool, select a passage that is supposed to be silentChoose Effect -> Noise Removal and press the Get Noise Profile buttonSelect the entire wave (cmd-a)Choose Effect -> Noise RemovalAdjust the slider (usually toward less) and use Preview until it sounds good. Then press the Noise Removal button.Selection ToolNoise Removal

Audio Production for Instructional MultimediaModule 3: Delivering Audio to Flash and the WebSome Background Info About the Mp3 Format

Audio Production for Instructional MultimediaModule 3: Delivering Audio to Flash and the WebLossless vs. Lossy in Audio EncodingWAV files are generally too big to deliver in an online instructional multimedia product. Thats why you will often want to compress your WAV original into a smaller mp3.

How does the mp3 encoding process manage to squash the size of the sound down so much?

The answer is: it throws some of the sound information away!The mp3 file is much smaller because it throws away some audio information.Relative sizes of a 1 minute sound

44.1 KHz / 16 bit mono WAV file32 kbps mono mp3 file5,169 KB235 KB

Audio Production for Instructional MultimediaModule 3: Delivering Audio to Flash and the WebLossless vs. Lossy in Audio EncodingThere are two kinds of data compression: lossless and lossy.

Compression schemes like Stuffit and Zip are lossless. This means that when you uncompress a file that has been Zipped, you get back a file that is identical to the file you originally compressed.

But with mp3s, this is not true. Some information is lost during mp3 compression and cannot be recovered during decompression.Popular compression algorithms, classified as lossless or lossy. Lossless algorithms recover an identical copy of the original file. Lossy algorithms do not.

Lossless CompressionLossy CompressionCompress (Unix)Mp3 (audio)Gzip (Unix)ATRAC (audio)Stuffit (Macintosh)MPEG-2 (video)Zip (Windows)MPEG-4 (video)

Audio Production for Instructional MultimediaModule 3: Delivering Audio to Flash and the WebLossless vs. Lossy in Audio EncodingThe technical term for algorithms which have both an encoder and decoder part is codec (a somewhat bizarre contraction of encode / decode).

Since mp3 is a lossy codec, you do NOT want to convert your sound into the mp3 format until you are completely done editing it! If you edit an mp3 and want to save it back out as an mp3, youll have to run it through the mp3 encoder again, and every time you do that, you will degrade the quality of your sound.Original 44.1 KHz / 16 bit stereo WAV file48 kbps stereo mp3 file 1st Generation48 kbps stereo mp3 file 10th Generation

Audio Production for Instructional MultimediaModule 3: Delivering Audio to Flash and the WebExporting Mp3s Out of Audacity

Audio Production for Instructional MultimediaModule 2: Recording with AudacityExporting Mp3s from AudacityChoose File -> Preferences to pop up the preferences dialog, then click on the File Formats tab.Choose a Bit Rate lower bit rates result in smaller files but worse sound quality.Hit OK to save your settings.Choose File -> Export as Mp3 Give the mp3 file a name. Hit Save, then on the following dialog box, just accept the defaults and hit OK.

Creating Royalty-FreeMusic with GarageBand

Background Music

Other sources of royalty-free background music include:Additional GarageBand Jam Packs: http://www.apple.com/ilife/garageband/jampacks/Royalty-free library music (do an Internet search on royalty free music)Output of other loop editors such as Soundtrack (Apple), Sonys Acid (PC), and Adobes Audition (PC)ITEC 715GarageBand

Audacity, Part 3: Mixing Voice-Over Narration with Background Music

Mixing Voice and Music

Audio Production for Instructional MultimediaModule 2: Recording with AudacityVoice-Over MixingWrite a script and rehearse it before recording!Launch AudacityRecord and edit your voice trackSave your work!With the completed voice track still loaded, choose Project -> Import Audio to import your music track Next, split your stereo music track into two mono tracks by using the drop-down menu by the track name and choosing Split Stereo Track

Audio Production for Instructional MultimediaModule 2: Recording with AudacityVoice-Over Mixing (cont.)Next convert each of the 2 split music tracks into a mono track, again using the drop-down menu by the track name.Select the two music tracks by clicking on track control area (use shift-click to select the second track).Now mix these two music tracks together into a single mono track by choosing Project -> Quick Mix. NOTE: If we were mixing two tracks that werent already part of a clean stereo mix, wed want to make sure there was no clipping in the newly combined mono track.

Audio Production for Instructional MultimediaModule 2: Recording with AudacityVoice-Over Mixing (cont.)Use the Time Shift Tool to move the tracks forward or backward in time.You can also use the Selection Tool to highlight sections of the music track you dont want such as introductory passages from the beginning and delete them using Edit -> Cut or the equivalent keyboard shortcut: cmd-xWhile testing out ideas, you can adjust the relative levels of each track using the volume slider on the tracks leftTrack VolumeTime Shift Tool

Audio Production for Instructional MultimediaModule 2: Recording with AudacityVoice-Over Mixing (cont.)With the voice and music track lined up as you want them, youre ready to start adjusting the relative volumes of the tracks by using the Envelope ToolClick with the Envelope Tool to create new pivot points for the envelope curve. Drag the line to adjust volumes up or down as desired.Let the music run for 5-10 seconds past the end of the narration. Use the selection tool to create a fade-out (Effects -> Fade Out) over the last 5-10 seconds. Fade the same section out twice to get a smoother curve.

Audio Production for Instructional MultimediaModule 2: Recording with AudacityVoice-Over Mixing (cont.)Select everything after the fade-out on the music track and delete itSave the Project file at this stage with a name ending in -u, then save it again with the same name, but ending in -m instead of -u. That way well save our unmixed and mixed versions. If we discover problems later, we can remix without having to do all Time Shift and Envelope work again.

Audio Production for Instructional MultimediaModule 2: Recording with AudacityVoice-Over Mixing (cont.)Select both tracks, then choose Project -> Quick Mix to mix the VO and music tracks into a single monophonic track.Listen to the track to make sure that combining these tracks didnt cause any clipping. If it did, undo the Quick Mix, take each track down 3 dB, and do the Mix again. You should re-normalize this final track as well.Save the Project file at this stage over the file name ending in -m. Choose File -> Export as WAV to save the WAV file.

Video in E-learningThis Week

Strengths and WeaknessesStrengthsConveying emotionEstablishing a human connectionShowing a visual demonstration WeaknessesDifficult to editExpensive to change or updateExpensive to shoot and edit

Digital Coach/FeedbackExpert PerspectiveCustomer TestimonialDemonstration LectureVignetteBranched Conversation/Virtual InteractionITEC 715Some Common Uses

ITEC 715Digital Coach / FeedbackThe Company Business ProcessThere are four major steps to the company business process. Click each step to learn more about it:Research the competitive landscapeEstimate costs required to beat the bestEstimate the return on investment (ROI)Make a build vs. buy decisionBackMenuNextClick each process step. Then click Next to continue.

ITEC 715Digital Coach / FeedbackThe Company Business ProcessThere are four major steps to the company business process. Click each step to learn more about it:Research the competitive landscapeEstimate costs required to beat the bestEstimate the return on investment (ROI)Make a build vs. buy decisionBackMenuNextClick each process step. Then click Next to continue.Research the Competitive Landscape

In this step, you must determine if there are any competitors who are already engaged in the new business opportunity you see for your company. If so, you need to identify which competitor is doing the best in this market.

Best can be a tricky concept. Sometimes it means earning the largest gross margins. Sometimes is means capturing the largest share of the market. Be careful how you define best at this stage!

ITEC 715Digital Coach / FeedbackThe Company Business ProcessThere are four major steps to the company business process. Click each step to learn more about it:Research the competitive landscapeEstimate costs required to beat the bestEstimate the return on investment (ROI)Make a build vs. buy decisionBackMenuNextClick each process step. Then click Next to continue.Estimate Costs Required to Beat the Best

Having identified the competitor who is doing best in this market, you next need to figure out how much it will cost your company to enter the market and beat the best player.

Some factors to consider:

Existing brand loyalties you may have to overcomeMarketing costsAny import duties on parts or subcomponentsTaxes and other fees

ITEC 715Digital Coach / FeedbackThe Company Business ProcessThere are four major steps to the company business process. Click each step to learn more about it:Research the competitive landscapeEstimate costs required to beat the bestEstimate the return on investment (ROI)Make a build vs. buy decisionBackMenuNextClick each process step. Then click Next to continue.Estimate the Return on Investment (ROI)

To compute the ROI,

ITEC 715Digital Coach / FeedbackThe Company Business ProcessThere are four major steps to the company business process. Click each step to learn more about it:Research the competitive landscapeEstimate costs required to beat the bestEstimate the return on investment (ROI)Make a build vs. buy decisionBackMenuNextClick each process step. Then click Next to continue.Make a Build vs. Buy Decision

Factors to consider in making this decision include:

BlahBlahBlahYaddaYaddaYadda

ITEC 715Digital Coach / FeedbackThe Company Business ProcessThere are four major steps to the company business process. Click each step to learn more about it:Research the competitive landscapeEstimate costs required to beat the bestEstimate the return on investment (ROI)Make a build vs. buy decisionBackMenuNextClick each process step. Then click Next to continue.

ITEC 715Digital Coach / FeedbackThe Company Business ProcessThere are four major steps to the company business process. Click each step to learn more about it:Research the competitive landscapeEstimate costs required to beat the bestEstimate the return on investment (ROI)Make a build vs. buy decisionBackMenuNextClick each process step. Then click Next to continue.In this step, you must determine if there are any competitors...

ITEC 715Digital Coach / FeedbackThe Company Business ProcessThere are four major steps to the company business process. Click each step to learn more about it:Research the competitive landscapeEstimate costs required to beat the bestEstimate the return on investment (ROI)Make a build vs. buy decisionBackMenuNextClick each process step. Then click Next to continue.Having identified the competitor who is doing best in this market,

ITEC 715Digital Coach / FeedbackThe Company Business ProcessThere are four major steps to the company business process. Click each step to learn more about it:Research the competitive landscapeEstimate costs required to beat the bestEstimate the return on investment (ROI)Make a build vs. buy decisionBackMenuNextClick each process step. Then click Next to continue.To compute the ROI,

ITEC 715Digital Coach / FeedbackThe Company Business ProcessThere are four major steps to the company business process. Click each step to learn more about it:Research the competitive landscapeEstimate costs required to beat the bestEstimate the return on investment (ROI)Make a build vs. buy decisionBackMenuNextClick each process step. Then click Next to continue.The right way to make a build vs. buy decision is to

ITEC 715Expert PerspectiveSeeing the Solution in Different WaysBackMenuNextClick each character to hear his perspective. Then click Next to continue.Dr. McCoyMr. SpockCaptain Kirk has asked Dr. McCoy and Mr. Spock for advice. Each has a different perspective. Dr. McCoy offers a human, emotional point of view. Mr. Spock offers a logical, rational point of view. Click each character to hear what he has to say. If you were in Captain Kirks position, whos advice would you take?

ITEC 715Expert PerspectiveSeeing the Solution in Different WaysBackMenuNextClick each character to hear his perspective. Then click Next to continue.Dr. McCoyMr. SpockCaptain Kirk has asked Dr. McCoy and Mr. Spock for advice. Each has a different perspective. Dr. McCoy offers a human, emotional point of view. Mr. Spock offers a logical, rational point of view. Click each character to hear what he has to say. If you were in Captain Kirks position, whos advice would you take?Dr. McCoys Perspective

ITEC 715Expert PerspectiveSeeing the Solution in Different WaysBackMenuNextClick each character to hear his perspective. Then click Next to continue.Dr. McCoyMr. SpockCaptain Kirk has asked Dr. McCoy and Mr. Spock for advice. Each has a different perspective. Dr. McCoy offers a human, emotional point of view. Mr. Spock offers a logical, rational point of view. Click each character to hear what he has to say. If you were in Captain Kirks position, whos advice would you take?Mr. Spocks Perspective

ITEC 715Customer Testimonial

ITEC 715Demonstration

ITEC 715Lecture

ITEC 715Vignette

ITEC 715Virtual Interaction/Branched ConversationI can book your flight, accommodations, and rental car. Do you have a profile on file with us? How do you respond to Hank?Yes, I have a profile on file with you.

No, I do not have a profile on file with you.

Approaches

ITEC 715Humor

ITEC 715The Genius and the FoolGeniusFool

ITEC 715The Genius and the Fool

Shooting Instructional Video

Top 10 Tips

Dont use the built-in mic; use an external mic.ITEC 715TipsMicrophone is far from subjectMicrophone is near to subject

Keep in mind the rule of thirds when framing your subjects.ITEC 715Tips

Dont backlight your subject.ITEC 715TipsBacklitNot backlitNOTE: Using a back light (aka hair and shoulder light) in a three point lighting setup is fine; the Dont backlight tip applies when the backlight is the only light source.

Watch out for shadowy eye-sockets (a frequent problem when the only source of light is directly overhead).ITEC 715TipsImage source: http://video.about.com/desktopvideo/Lighting--Effect-of-Direction.htm

You can use a cookie sheet, a windshield sun-screen, or a white posterboard to reflect light onto your subject.ITEC 715TipsCamera OperatorSubjectAssistant with reflective sheet: Fill LightWindow: Key Light

Watch out for distracting backgrounds.ITEC 715TipsAre pine needles growing out of your subjects head?

Arrive at the shoot with a script and a plan.

Depending on the complexity of the material you are shooting, you may need:

A scriptA shot listA set of storyboardsA scene-by-scene list of locations, actors, and props

You may need to take continuity notes if you shoot scenes out of order or across multiple days.

ITEC 715Tips

Use a teleprompter (if you have access to one) if your subject needs to read from the script.ITEC 715Tips

Use a tripod (unless youre specifically aiming for a raw news-footage look)ITEC 715Tips

Keep a log during the shoot so that you will know which takes to keep and which to leave on the cutting room floor.ITEC 715TipsIn this course, you will learn how to mow your lawn using only a nail clipper and a flashlight, open your garage door while trapped in interdimensional space, and carry 500 lbs of chicken feed in an empty Coca-cola can.

To aid you in your studies, this course will include loud, random noises and

Editing

OverviewEditing clipsAdding titlesExporting in the QuickTime MOV formatITEC 715iMovie Demo

Remove everything thats not directly relevant to your instructional point.Dont worry about jumps or discontinuities in the video (see Fog of War)you can do a short cross-fade between clips, or place a flash of light at the edit points if you want.ITEC 715Editing Strategies

Context and Use

ITEC 715What Else Should Be on the Page?Dr. James Hughes is the executive director of the Institute for Emerging Ethics and Technologies (IEET). As you listen to Dr. Hughes, see if you can find the answers to the following question:

Why does Dr. Hughes think that advances in AI will require society to devise a new social contract with humanity?When youre ready, click 4 to begin the video.Click 4 to begin the video.

Shoot and edit a 30 second (or more) video of an expert speaking to a topic of relevance to your course.Turn in the edited video in either the QuickTime MOV or Flash FLV format. Also turn in the scripted page of your course on which this video would be placed. You do not have to create any media controls or actually import the video clip onto the slide yet. Just turn in the video and the slide(s) as separate entities for next week.ITEC 715For Next Week

*Consider: Look & Feel; Functionality; Instructional Usefulness********Consider: Look & Feel; Functionality; Instructional Usefulness*Consider: Look & Feel; Functionality; Instructional Usefulness*******Consider: Look & Feel; Functionality; Instructional Usefulness*Consider: Look & Feel; Functionality; Instructional Usefulness*Consider: Look & Feel; Functionality; Instructional Usefulness*Consider: Look & Feel; Functionality; Instructional Usefulness*Consider: Look & Feel; Functionality; Instructional Usefulness