Simple vodcasts
Posted by selinalock on 18 August, 2008
So we’re working on some vodcasts for the David Wilson Library, which will hopefully be live by the start of term. These are mainly on the marketing end of the spectrum to try and make students aware of library services such as the group study rooms, and graduate school reading room. Though some will be a little more instructional, such as how to use the self-service machines.
The simplest way to create vodcasts without having to have a video camera is to take still images and combine them with an audio track.
To do this we’ve been using the free audio software Audacity to record the voice over (in combination with a usb headphone/microphone set), and mix in some music. The music I have mainly found using the ccmixter site, which allows use under the creative commons license.
Then I’ve used windows movie maker to insert the still images, combine with the audacity audio track and export as a wmv file.
UoL people can find audacity and windows movie maker in their CFS software options, and Information Librarians can find examples of the vodcasts we’re producing in our shared folder.
Others can see the techniques I’ve used for the library vodcasts in this non-work convention report:
UoL Library Blog 
ajcann said
Is there any way to inject an element of personalization into the videos so that users feel they are communicating with a real person rather than a faceless corporate identity?
selinalock said
The current marketing type vodcasts will have to be along the faceless corporation lines, as they have to be approved by management. However, any that are created for specific teaching purposes can, and I think should, be more personalised.