Date : April, 2023

Supervisor: Frankston High School

Format: Online

Time: 2 hr

(total time for first video production = 5hrs)

Organisers:  TechSmith, creators of Camtasia Editing Software

Level: General public

Subject Area: Patron access, collections, marketing

Objective: Refresh previous skills in video recording, editing and production for use in an LIS environment.

Reason for attending: to create tutorials for students on using the FHS databases, particularly those seeking tertiary education.

 What was learnt:

Following completion of a Bachelor of Arts in Media studies in 1989 I have had several employment positions in which I utilised the video production and editing skills I learnt. The last role, as a facilitator of media for young women’s literacy with Preston-Reservoir college was over twenty years ago and my editing prowess was definitely on the rusty side. Although the basic principles were familiar technology has evolved immensely and my abilities were in need of renewal.

Again, through the instruction videos and readings in the Camtasia tutorials package I updated my capabilities in the following areas:

Preparation and recording (35 mins)

I observed tuition in screen and camera access and recording; import, storage, management  and assembly of recordings, video, audio, and image source files for current projects; supported video file formats and customisation and coordination of software assets and enhancements.

Editing (32 mins)

I utilised the knowledge I acquired during the audio tutorials and augmented the process through addition of competency in use of indicator markers on the timeline; connected and spliced clips; learnt to alter the clip speed to correlate with the audio track; became familiar with moving multiple clips and extending frames and editing the visual footage to correspond with the audio.

 Enhancing (Postproduction) (40 mins)

This is my favourite part of the editing process as I can enhance the production to increase viewer interest, communication and engagement. Via the Camtasia software I polished the edited video with visual effects, annotations, callouts and titles. I utilised uniform transitions, colouring and shading, dynamic backgrounds, animations (text and images) and motion paths. I had immense satisfaction from eventually handling the post production zoom and pan features to enhance the context of my creation.

Export and share (30 mins)

Initially I found exportation of the final video product difficult as it could not directly be transferred to the FHS LMS as the audio project was. I sought advice from the FHS Technical Department who advised me how to export the files to the school OneDrive online account then share with the library administration.

Relationship to work or study

In INF310: Marketing of library and Information Agencies I compiled a marketing report based on student library resources at Frankston High school. It became very apparent that the senior campus, separated from the junior/ middle facility and its library, had very little access to physical collections, and were overlooking the digital assets available to them. The FHS is regarded as “the leading government school on the (Mornington) Peninsula ” (FHS, 2020, para 2) and retains consistently high Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) scores, yet the students intending on tertiary education were not being prepared for online research, search and access techniques and navigation of university online resources.

I instigated the database tutorials project as a strategic initiative based on an overlooked segmented school market – the senior VCE students. Having created 10 such tutorials through self-tuition on Camtasia I am currently in discussion with FHS senior faculty on integration and promotion of these instructional videos for the benefit of both the student’s university preparation and FHS comprehensive campus validity. As staff interest increases my positive experience of personal education , creativity and contribution feels augmented.

References

Frankston High School (FHS). (2020). http://www.fhs.vic.edu.au/school-information/results/