Jennifer Valley: audio

Showing posts with label audio. Show all posts

Monday, February 16, 2015

Free (or Cheaper) Tool and Resources for eLearning (February 2015)

In August 2014 I published my first version of this article which is still view able here. Since then I've been slowing adding to the list as I find new tools and resources that I can afford to implement into my life (items marked with asterisks are tools or resources I use regularly). I think the list has nearly doubled which is crazy (even for an internet and app obsessed person like myself). With my last post reached over 600 people and was shared over 20 times on Google plus alone I felt like another installment was due. I'm thinking about making this a regular series where I randomly update the list when I come across something new or in clumps of a certain number. To reduce the size of this article I didn't go into great detail on each tool or resource. Find me on Twitter or comment below if you want to chat about my experiences.

Other

http://www.onlinecharttool.com/ - Not near Excel….have no fear

http://dictionary.reference.com/ * - Because who doesn’t need help spelling

http://thesaurus.com/ * - To help you pick the right word

http://lite.launchlist.net/ - Check your website before it goes live

http://www.speedtest.net/ - Speed test for your computer

http://www.feedly.com* - Keep all your bookmarks in one place

https://bitly.com/* - Chop your links for easier social sharing
https://www.goodreads.com/* - Need to create a "to read list", set a yearly goal or read reviews?
https://openlibrary.org/ - Free online library
http://evernote.com/skitch/ - Free annotation creator
https://en.gravatar.com/* - Keep your avatar consistent across all sites
https://www.google.com/alerts* - Set Google Alerts to stay up to date on important topics
http://www.zamzar.com/ - File converter
http://calibre-ebook.com/ - Ned help creating an eBook?
http://www.lynda.com/* - Professional development for $25 a month. Uh yes please!

As before, please leave me your suggestions in the comments below or find me on Twitter (@jvalley0714).

Monday, August 11, 2014

Free (or cheaper) eLearning Tools

While working on a recent project I found myself going on a frantic search for just the right picture. Having the right resources at your disposal can definitely make or break the amount of time you spend on a eLearning project. So, I decided to update my toolbox and possible solutions with some resources that are free or lower cost than the mainstream product. The items marked with asterisk are ones I've personally used for one project or another.

Do you have an "I can't live without" website or service? Please feel free to add any resources I missed by commenting below or tweeting me (@jvalley0714).

Audio

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ *

http://download.cnet.com/SoundCapture/3000-2168_4-10079089.html

http://krut.sourceforge.net/

http://camstudio.org/

http://vocaroo.com/

http://www.chirbit.com/

Course Authoring

https://www.easygenerator.com/

https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/lcds-tool.aspx#tab1

http://www.smartbuilder.com/product/smartbuilder

http://www.authorgen.com/authorpoint/index.htm

http://www.jetdraft.com/eng/index/

http://www.izzui.com/

http://www.udutu.com/solutions_udutu.html

http://www.quicklessons.com/

http://www.adobe.com/products/presenter.html

http://www.ipresent.com/Pricing

http://www.quicklessons.com/

http://www.zebrazapps.info/#!pricing/c8ja

http://zembl.com/

http://goanimate.com/

http://softchalk.com/

http://memorize.com/

Video

http://www.techsmith.com/jing.html *

http://www.screenpresso.com/

https://placeit.net/

https://www.screenr.com/

http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/

http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.html *

Sounds/Music

https://www.youtube.com/user/RoyalTrax

http://audionautix.com/

http://www.cctrax.com/

Image Manipulation

www.gimp.com *

http://tinygrab.com/

http://www.pixlr.com/editor/ *

Color

https://kuler.adobe.com/create/color-wheel/ *

http://www.pictaculous.com/

http://design-seeds.com/

http://paletton.com

http://www.colorhexa.com/ *

http://colorpicker.com/

http://www.javascripter.net/faq/rgbtohex.htm

Image/Icon

http://www.freeimages.com/ *

https://elearningart.net/

http://designinstruct.com/category/free-resources/

http://publicdomainarchive.com/

http://littlevisuals.co/

http://deathtothestockphoto.com/ *

http://nos.twnsnd.co/

http://www.gratisography.com/

http://pixabay.com/ *

http://roundicons.com/

https://picons.me/

http://www.mightydeals.com/free_stuff

http://morguefile.com/

http://picjumbo.com/ *

http://unsplash.com/ *

http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Graphics.shtml

http://www.freeimages.co.uk/galleries.htm

http://www.freepixels.com/

http://www.public-domain-photos.com/

http://search.creativecommons.org/

http://subtlepatterns.com/

http://thenounproject.com/ *

http://www.toasto.com/

http://stockphotos.io/

http://www.stockvault.net/

http://www.public-domain-photos.com/

http://www.stockpholio.com/

http://pixelperfectdigital.com/

http://www.photogen.com/

http://openphoto.net/

http://www.kavewall.com/stock/index.html

http://imagebase.net/

http://www.freefoto.com/index.jsp

http://www.freepik.com/

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

http://www.cgtextures.com/

Inspiration

http://www.siteinspire.com/

http://land-book.com/

http://community.articulate.com/blogs/david/default.aspx *

LMS

http://www.talentlms.com/index/

http://www.edubrite.com/oltpublish/theme-eb-www/cms.do?view=pricing

http://www.sharepointlms.com/

http://www.efrontlearning.net/

http://www.growthengineering.co.uk/demo/

https://www.easygenerator.com/

Font

http://www.dafont.com/ *

http://www.google.com/fonts/

http://losttype.com/browse/

http://www.urbanfonts.com/free-fonts.htm

http://www.fontsquirrel.com/ *

http://copypastecharacter.com/all-characters

http://www.1001fonts.com/brandname-fonts.html

http://www.whatfontis.com/

Proofreading

http://www.polishmywriting.com/

http://paperrater.com/

Storyboard

https://www.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-creator

Other

http://www.onlinecharttool.com/ - Not near Excel….have no fear

http://dictionary.reference.com/ * - Because who doesn’t need help spelling

http://thesaurus.com/ * - To help you pick the right word

http://lite.launchlist.net/ - Check your website before it goes live

http://www.speedtest.net/ - Speed test for your computer

http://evernote.com/skitch/ - Free annotation creator

https://evernote.com/ - Keep everything you need together all in one place

Monday, August 4, 2014

Articulate eLearning Hero's Challenge #45

On Friday the Articulate's eLearning Hero Challenges administered task #45 and asked to share your audio recording setup and provide tips. Here is my response. Let me know in the comments if you participate in these challenges and leave a link to your submissions and I will check them out.

Tell us about your recording setup.

I use a Logitech headset that was provided to me by my company.
I create my scripts in Word or email them to myself.
I record directly into Camtasia and then edit in Camtasia as well.
I am unable to use my cubicle because I'm in an open area so I usually use a conference room to record in. My company is talking about dedicating a media room for audio and video production but it's not an immediate change.

Show us your audio setup.

Share your three favorite audio recording tips.

Use concise and relate-able wording with emotion and emphasis (bold/italic) when needed
Read through your script until there is a level of comfort and to check for any potential slip up areas
Smile and/or record to someone (I usually have a screen shot of my kids up)

See a full list of tips in my post called How to Make Audio More Than Just Noise

and

Check out my thread in the LinkedIn group Instructional Designers

Monday, May 19, 2014

Lights, Camera, Edit?

Continuing on with my tips and tricks for adding different elements into eLearning, let's chat about video. It's a powerful tool that can add depth and quality to a course (if done right). So, what do you need to make video content great? In my opinion it's the work that's done before and after filming. In order to do that, you need to:

Create a well written and easy to read script
Develop a location and filming setup that benefits you the most
Cast or use great talent
Pre-Record like you mean business
Set aside time to do a quality edit

So what does that mean?

Script:

Easy to read
Uses concise wording
Free of spelling errors
In a readable format
Explains abbreviations or market specific terminology
Content matches the reading level of your audience (Do you look at your content's readability rating?)
Include annotations for movement and emotion

Location and Setup:

Choose a location with natural lighting or try to set up a lighting system similar to the one found here: Lighting
When filming a product highlight create a Light Box
Set up your location specifically to cater to the needs of a Green Screen if one will be used (Camtasia offers some great tips and tricks)
Pick a background that is one solid color for a clean look

The Talent:

If you don't have the budget to hire a professional do an open casting call asking fellow employees for help
If you pick a professional, don't go into the commitment blind. Ask for previous work, head shots and maybe even a sample of the script before signing a contract
Create a list of things to wear and NOT wear. Avoid flashy jewlery, items that jingle and patterned shirts that compete with the background
Speak candidly about the tone and purpose of the video so they are fully aware of what style presentation to use

Pre-Record:

Practice, Practice and practice again
Try camcorder techniques a head of time to determine specifics
Leave the camcorder on during practice for additional film options or to create a bloopers reel for internal staff to enjoy
Make sure both the recording staff and talent are comfortable before moving into final production

Edit:

Give yourself enough time
Normalize the audio
Include transitions, pans and call outs to add character
Add an introduction
Add free video loops, backgrounds or effects

The nice thing about video is that if it's done correctly and fits in with the company's marketing strategy (along with other aspects) it can be shared on social media and websites creating a greater audience than your eLearners. Have you see Zappo's Company Culture YouTube series (#ZapposCulture)?

What tips and tricks have you learned along the way? What software do you use? What's the best hack that could save someone a lot of money? Comment below, on Facebook, LinkedIn or tweet me @jvalley0714

*For the sake of time and argument I choose to leave out what products or devices can be used.

Monday, May 12, 2014

How to Make Audio More Than Just Noise

Testing, testing, one, two, three....

So, the project that your working on requires audio. It's time to prep your content and ready the talent. Here are my tips and tricks for recording audio right, the first time:

Create a well written and easy to read script
Pre-Record like you mean business
Set aside time to do a quality edit

Let's go over these three aspects little more thoroughly:

A script should be written in a way that it's:

Easy to read
Uses consise wording
Free of spelling errors
In a readable format
Explains abbreviations or market specific terminology
Content matches the reading level of your audience (Do you look at your content's readability rating?)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8fzCiZzCiQmZF83UkJqWnlaMGM/edit?usp=sharing

Click here for a sample script

Pre-Recording Checklist:

Place yourself in a room without noise and distraction (door closing, coffee pot percolating etc.)
Place your IM on Do Not Disturb (Oh those annoying internet noises!)
Grab a drink. A moisturized mouth is a happy one!
Blow your nose. I know that sounds gross but no one wants to hear your sniffle.
Buddy up (if possible) (one listens while the other review the script for changes)
Temporary turn off all email, IM or Internet notifications
Change your desktop background to a person so you have someone to "speak to"
Go through the script to be sure you have the proper steps and wording ready such as pre-populated examples, pulling up reports that take a long time to run, etc.
Test your internet connection and link up with a hard line if possible
Perform a sound check by listening to a sample script's volume, pitch, speed and determine if there are any background noises.

Sample Script:
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/A_Tale_of_Two_Cities

Run through your script until you feel that you've captured the perfect audio. Don't forget to stop frequently to check content quality, speed and tone.

The fun is not over because now its time to edit. Be sure to:

Give yourself enough time to go through the audio throughly
Normalize the audio
Chunk it down into smaller pieces for easy handling and editing
Silence breaks
Remove breaths

Don't have an audio editing software? Check out this free product: Audacity

What tips and tricks have you learned along the way? Comment below or tweet me @jvalley0714

Reference material:
http://elearningbrothers.com/how-to-record-voice-overs-for-elearning-part-1/
http://elearningbrothers.com/voice-over-tips-for-elearning-during-recording-part-2/
http://elearningbrothers.com/how-to-do-voice-overs-for-elearning-post-editing-part-3/

Social Media

Monday, February 16, 2015

Free (or Cheaper) Tool and Resources for eLearning (February 2015)

Animation

Audio

Bibliography/Citation

Collaboration/Management Tools

Color

Course Authoring

Documents

Font

Image Manipulation

Image/Icon

Infographics

Inspiration

LMS

Meeting Tools

Proofreading

Storyboard

Sounds/Music

Templates (Captivate, Lectora, Storyline, PowerPoint, Word)

Video