1. Using Streaming Media for Online User Training in IT John Fritz Bill Shewbridge University of Maryland, Baltimore County EDUCAUSE, October 2, 2002 Copyright John Fritz & William Shewbridge, 2002. This work is the intellectual property of the authors. Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the authors. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the authors.

2. Overview UMBC Background Basics of the Production Process UMBC Examples Lessons Learned Presentation And Contact Information

3. Institutional Drivers for Using Technology at UMBC Faculty -About 75 percent of our faculty are comfortable with basic technology (email/web) and exploring various stages of how technology can be used to improve learning. Assured Access to Computing Initiative (launched fall 2001) -Focuses on providing all students with access to technology -Student expectations: they are beginning to expect courses to utilize technology. Institutional Support -OIT and Faculty Development Center provide joint faculty training sessions, brown bag workshops, and Teaching, Learning and Technology “minigrants.”

4. Classifying Technology Usage Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) -Technology augments in-class learning with the focus on providing course information and additional online resources.This represents the bulk of our current faculty usage Online Courses -Technology provides the means of running the course and a full complement of course information. Hybrid Courses -Course meets in-class and online. In-class sessions are reduced and the class meets online for discussions, group work and assessment.

5. Fall 2002 Instructional Technology Activities Blackboard (Launched in spring 2000) -300 courses per semester; more than 10,000 distinct student users -More than 50 organizations (e.g., faculty and staff senates, PeopleSoft implementation team, Honors College) Computer Classrooms -84 courses using technology enabled classrooms -Reached saturation 3 years ago and have worked with Physics, GES and English to create departmental facilities. -New IT Engineering & Public Policy Bldgs. Will create 10 more departmental labs and 4 new lecture halls. Faculty Developed Course Web Pages -Usage is predominantly in the sciences

6. Why Online IT Training? Support crunch necessitated a more scalable approach Video on demand is more flexible by the end user Availability of a robust, broadband infrastructure (e.g., IPTV, Internet2) We could train users on UMBC specific IT issues they couldn’t find elsewhere: -Publishing web pages @ UMBC -Using the campus portal myUMBC -Creating and managing your user account

7. Initial Approach Broadband Video for Training -MPEG1 and IPTV -Example: PowerPoint in the Classroom ResNet Installation

8. Lessons Learned and Refocus Limits of MPEG for screen capture -FINWeb MPEGFINWeb MPEG -FINWeb Screen CapturesFINWeb Screen Captures Recognition that multiple solutions are needed Criteria for media selection -Quality of delivery -User Accessibility -Production Issues

9. Streaming at UMBC IPTV Mapping the Patapsco (MPEG)IPTV Screen Capture (FINWeb) QuickTime w/ PowerPoint

10. Production Process Basics Pre-production -Content development -Organization of material and resources -Multimedia integration issues Production -Acquisition Cameras Formats Audio -Graphics Post-production -Editing -Multimedia Integration -Distribution -Evaluation Usability

11. MethodQuality of DeliveryUser Accessibility Production Issues Live Face-to- Face Training GreatDoes Not ScaleClass prep Broadband (IPTV) VHS-QualityHigh bandwidth and client Can accommodate high-end production values Narrowband (Real) MarginalAccessible by most Lower quality image, bad for lots of movement

12. MethodQuality of DeliveryUser Accessibility Production Issues Screen CaptureExcellent for Screens - Bad for Motion Requires Plugin with appropriate CODEC Real-time Acquisition Slide ShowsGreat resolution - can be combined with Streaming Video Requires ubiquitous Plugin Can require extensive postproduction Audio OnlyHigh quality possible Accessible by most Minimal resources and expertise

13. MethodQuality of DeliveryUser Accessibility Production Issues Web SitesBroad range of options, generally static Easy accessDesign issues, variable production expertise Video TapeGreat for full motion, weak on high resolution Requires a tape deck Full range of video production possible CD-ROMCan integrate variety of media. Bandwidth less of an issue. CD must be distributed to user Extensive resources and skills needed

14. Summary Online presentations are not a universal substitution for face-to-face training. They can however be an effective supplement. Learning computer applications means looking at computer screens, but doing so through online video is difficult. Producing “compelling” content requires more time and planning than one might think. It takes time to change user expectations and support culture. If we can’t meet everyone’s needs, how can they adapt so they can meet their own?

15. Contact fritz@umbc.edu shewbrid@umbc.edu www.umbc.edu/oit/newmedia/present/