Audio and Video

Audio

Audio may be added to content through the use of the Text Editor, Voice Tools, Mashups or Hyperlink to an external site. Audio can be used to provide students with feedback or to present learning content. Podcasts or audio narration can assist students in engaging with their content in an auditory-style manner which can be further enhanced with text or video.

The following audio file types are supported in vUWS: .mp3, .midi, .wav, .wma.

Video

Video files can be made available to students within vUWS but there are a number of considerations that designers need to be aware of to ensure students are able to view the video and that it is of sufficient quality to be a benefit to them. Files can be added from the Web through a Mashup uploaded from your computer, Text Editor or found in vUWS, either in Course Files or the Content Collection.

In vUWS, a video file can be added into a Folder or into a Learning Module. It is strongly recommended that you consult with the E-Learning Team once you have your video file ready for adding to your vUWS site. This is to ensure that the file is downloaded to the student's computer and not streamed over the Internet which will greatly affect the play and audio quality.

Video size

The critical limitation to using video over the Internet is that of file size. Video player software needs large bandwidth access and while online video is workable on-campus using the UWS network, delivery on the Internet via a modem is a different matter. A 56k dial-up modem connection is the lowest you should consider that your students may be using when making video available within vUWS.

The final size of the video should be set at 160 x 120 pixels. The video can be shot initially at a higher screen size but compressed down to this recommended size before uploading into vUWS. A normal monitor screen size would be 800 x 600 pixels.

For a 30 second video at this size the file size would be approximately 1.4MB which would take approximately 1.6 minutes to download on a 56kmodem. A 20minute video at this size would be approximately 4.5MB and would take about 20minutes to download and it is recommended that the file size should not exceed this; however the maximum file size is 20 MB. Large file sizes can be indicated in text descriptors next to icons orlinks.

Video player software

Once a video file is downloaded, the student needs to have player software installed on their computer. The main players are RealNetwork's Real player, Microsoft's Windows Media player and Apple's QuickTime player. Each player has its own video format, however all three play a popular, non-proprietary format called MPEG(Motion Picture ExpertGroup). Therefore, MPEG is the recommended format for both video files on both Windows and Mac computers. The computers in the student labs on campus have the necessary players installed to view MPEG files.

Digital video cameras will come with software that will be able to compress the video size as outlined above as well as convert the file to MPEGformat.

Guides to help with creating video resources

These guides have been developed to help with planning, conducting and producing different styles of videos. Each guide share's some common tips plus some more specific depending on the scenario.

Video Interviews (PDF, 98.55 KB) (opens in a new window)

Welcome / Orientation videos (PDF, 102.54 KB) (opens in a new window)

Lecture (lectorials) / How-to's / Screencasts (PDF, 104.98 KB) (opens in a new window)

Physical Demonstration videos (PDF, 106.46 KB) (opens in a new window)

Common resources

UWS Digital Production Standards (DOC, 261 KB) (opens in a new window) A summary of standards relating to video production at UWS. Full Version is also available.

Distribution guide to publishing educational videos (PDF, 69.84 KB) (opens in a new window) A flowchart showing where to upload e-learning videos.

Media Release Form (DOC, 106 KB) (opens in a new window) Any persons that are in the video need to sign this release form to give UWS authority to publish.

Video Clip Sheet (PDF, 169.1 KB) (opens in a new window) A sheet for the interviewer to quickly make notes about each clip to save time in production later. Please note Types: V=Video, A=Audio, C=Cutaway, G=Graphic, S=Screen and M=More meaning we could add more 'types' to this clip later.

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