For those of you who know us, we do things differently. I thought I would share something that I think even if you don’t do things different, you can do this one thing differently and still stick to the way you do things.
#1) Instead of imbedding key messages directly into your video through video editing software, try XML for this one thing. A simple XML structure like <VideoAsset><TimeIn><message><TimeOut> gives you the ability to play a video, and dictate to something like the .flv format when a message comes in to the video based on a time variable and when the message goes out based on a time variable. Add multiple <TimeIn><message><TimeOut> capabilities and now you can embed and control text in video outside of video editing software.
#2) If your working with a restrictive budget, use images and audio in a sequenced order instead of video. Again using XML, structure how you want your images and audio sequences timed and control each item independently. Something like <interaction><TimeInImage><ImageAsset><TimeInAudio><AudioAsset><TimeOutAudio><TimeOutImage> gives you full control over bringing different images in, leaving them on screen for a certain amount of time, sequencing audio whether voice or sound and playing around with the timing for all of it.
As a last word, don’t use video as a way to spruce up your course. Use video because you need to demonstrate body language, involve someone emotionally in a scenario, or some other valid instructional reason.