07-03-2008

Can anyone recommend easy to use software that will help me make a short training module?


I am looking to build (and I do not program) an introduction to a new product. I would like to be able to put some video in place with voiceover and then have a q&a type overlay… Any ideas?


By Barbara Boschen



Answers:

By Brian Foster

Have a look at Camtasia Studio.

Links:

 

By Barbara Horne

Captivate is one of the best. Adobe provides templates that will help you develop high quality eLearning.

Links:

 

By James Wheat

Another choice would be Articulate (pronounced like the verb, not the adjective).

http://www.articulate.com/

 

By David Hildebrandt

To add to what others have said:
Camtasia is good if you want to create a video of your compute screen and package it for replay on other computers. You can download a free trial for 30 days at http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.asp?CMP=KgoogleCStmhome.

Captivate is a great tool and allows you to build simulations of the product. It is a bit more involved than Camtasia and does cost more Camtasia. You can also get a 30 day trial by going go http://www.adobe.com/products/captivate/.

Articulate is a very powerful tool. But if you are not going to be building training or product demos the price (over $1,000) is just to much to pay for a casual product. Articulate offers a 15 day trial, which is found at http://www.articulate.com/?gclid=CLX-wPzRpZQCFSgtagodkDzAtA.

You may want to consider WebEx, or a similar service. WebEx has a 14 day trial. If you expect to do this once and never again, you could just start a WebEx session, share your application and/or desktop and record your demo using the WebEx tools. You could even schedule a live class with WebEx to create a different dynamic in the recorded session. For the occasional trainer, WebEx may be your best approach.

There is no simple answer. It all hinges on what your time frame is, what your learning curve is with the technology, your available budget, and your time to workout the ideal flow through your new product so the demo shows off your new product well.

Links:

 

By Ajay Merchant

Please contact these experts provided from the field of training and coaching…

They have written books, and run their own coaching academies/institutions.

Ajay Merchant also suggests these experts on this topic:

 

By Red Resener

This question sounds two fold…. First you could capture canned sims showing off your new product (Im guessing this is some kind of software) with Captivate/Camtasia, both are timeline driven and will allow you to add hi-lights and call-outs as well as allow you to edit voice-overs and other goodies like that. But, you will need to understand a little bit about video editing to make quick work of either app.

Second, you will need to know a bit about delivery. Before you export your course from either CAP/CAM you will need to ask yourself — is this going on CDROM, into an LMS, or just web-based delivery?!?!?

If you are unsure about any of this I would be happy to talk you thru it, or you could call Steve Conrad or myself at MEDIAPRO. 425-483-4700

Links:

Red Resener also suggests this expert on this topic:

 

By John Jamison

Hi Barbara, I use Articulate to put something together rather quickly, as it ties directly to PowerPoint which you use to actually build the piece. When I want something more robust…with more interactivity and interest, I use a program called Mediator, from Matchware.


By Sandra L. Williams

I currently use Captivate to create rapid e-Learning. It is user friendly and is a great tool for creating software simulations or soft skill branching scenarios. You can insert videos (which get converted to Flash format for usability) and easily create interactive quiz questions for Q&A. As someone mentioned earlier, there are several templates available which you can easily change to your own company branding. As well, you can import PowerPoint slides or files for easy conversion.

Additional websites which may be helpful include Captivate tips, Tutorials on Adobe Developer Center and a well known Captivate blogger:

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By Rob Phillips

I recommend CaptureCam Pro.

http://www.cintinel.com/

 

By Alexander Chervinsky

you need Adobe (macromedia) authorware 7

Links:

 

By Jenna Papakalos

There are so many factors that would hinge on a good fit for you on the product side.

What is your budget?
What is your proficiency with learning technologies?
Do you need a host platform?
What type of learning activities are you looking to include in the learning?

I would be happy to discuss this with you and recommend whatever I can to you.

Links:

 

By Jeffrey Harris

Try Jing, it records your screen actions (you can limit what on your screen is recorded) and your voice, so you can give a demo. The limit is 5 minutes per video. The tool also enables quick screen grabs of whatever you want on your screen. We’ve used it with great success. Oh, and it’s free and easy to use.

Links:

 

By Peter B. Giblett MBCS, CITP, LLB

I would echo Brian’s recommendation. Camtasia Studio is easy to use and inexpensive. Go to the Tech Smith website.

 

By Sanjay Vyas

CamStudio is similar to Camtasia and Captivate but its free. You can create AVI or SWF of your screen movement (including mouse and keyboard) annotate them with speech balloons and do a voice over.

Links:

 

By Shankar Ramamurthy

Look up www.epiance.com

 

By Jack Jensen

I also vote for Articulate (www.Articulate.com). To see the result of incorporating video into an Articulate lesson, go to www.AmerSolutions.com/rt2v (2nd link below).

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