Not another website

The next evolution of the Department's public website is being considered. But much has changed, and significantly changed, over the three years since the last build.

 

The content management platform is now complemented by a range of online services that make up the Department's managed online presence and identity. Social media has grown nearly 1,000%. Mobile access now dominates public access. Global cloud services provide new agility.

 

 

My hope is that this next evolution will not result in another website.

We need to integrate these complementary services so that the user experiences a seamless Department presence and identity that delivers useful information and services.

We need to maximise the benefits that participative media brings to communication and community.

While there will undoubtedly be some traditional web pages I'm interested in exploring what a vibrant online presence and identity might look like, feel like and be like.


Have we challenged our assumptions and asked the necessary questions?

How do we strategically plan an agile sustainable system that is useful and engaging?

 

Some drivers of this strategic planning may be...

• Learners first - the Department's core business is learning. Learning services for anyone, anywhere, anytime.
• Users first - the Department's Strategic Plan focuses on meeting client needs and expectations, saving users time
• Mobile first - mobile access now dominates public access to online information and services. Many users have mobile-only Internet access.
• Google search first - most users try Google search first to locate Department information, locations and services (Google Services)
• 90% of users access 10% of content - the majority of users access a small proportion of the Department's content
• Social media - access to department's social media channels has increased nearly 1,000% over the last two and a half years (Social media services)
• Effective searching - users expect to quickly find the most relevant search results
• Story telling - the power of stories, narration and video
• Compliance - there are new higher standards for web accessibility and design, Creative Commons and open data

 

Recent developments in technology offer new possibilities...

• HTML5 - offers responsiveness across most devices
• Tags - increase search usefulness
• News feeds - choose your own device and reader
• Interactive video - choose your own learning adventure
• User customisation - saved settings for different audiences and interests
• Mobile apps - add your own content
• GPS - location aware features
• NBN - Tasmania is becoming well connected
• Augmented reality - access layered information, Web 3.0 - an intelligent web of things

This is a wicked problem  :-)

Tools for spontaneous video capture

Video capture of celebratory or learning events is increasing with greater access to mobile devices.

These are some tips I've picked up.

Lavalier wearable microphone

Mobile phones and tablets

Audio: Mobiles generally have good microphones for close recordings. A lapel mic can give high quality audio if required.

Tripod: Keeping the mobile phone still improves video quality and reduces the file size. Tablets can often be stood up using their covers, books or nearby walls. A number of small cheap tripods are available including the one below on the left that can grip a wide range of objects.

Readily available tripods for phones





Compressor

File size: Mobiles and tablets often record in HD (1080) which can lead to very large file sizes. 10 minutes of video can be over 1GB which can quickly fill mobile storage and take a long time to transfer to other devices.

Audio quality is often more important than video quality - depending on the purpose and audience for the video. A number of apps are available to dramatically reduce the video file size on the mobile device - for example Compressor for iPhone/iPad (free).

Audio recording: Mobiles will generally allow recording with a built in app but better quality audio and transfer options are available with apps such as Voice record Pro (free).

Voice Record Pro allows easy wireless transfer to a range of popular cloud storage services.

Sharing video: For mobiles with a wireless connection (3G/4G can be expensive) it is possible to save and share video to online services such as YouTube or Vimeo.

Gmail accounts come with YouTube video storage. YouTube Capture (free) is an app that allows simple video editing and upload to YouTube. Videos can be uploaded as 'unlisted' so only those to whom the link is seen can view the video. Videos can also be set to 'private'.

Vimeo also has an app to upload videos.

Laptops and desktops

Videos can be recorded using webcams. Video and audio quality can be a challenge - good microphones are important. Videos can also be recorded directly to YouTube using My Webcam or to Vimeo. 

Powered microphones: A powered microphone is usually required for recording in larger spaces. Powered microphones can be mounted onto video cameras or be a stand-alone device that records audio onto an SD card.

The Zoom Handy Recorder is a stand-alone powered microphone (plug in or battery) that captures quality audio over larger distances.

Educators and photographers loving their work

Clint and Bethanie capture 2015 RBF Award Finalist Hannah Keir.

It's been a real pleasure interviewing RBF Award Finalists in schools across Tasmania this week. Seeing the passion and commitment of teachers, support staff, school business managers, principals and volunteers is inspiring and uplifting.

Not only award finalists but many others we met also clearly love their work, their students, and helping students learn and grow. We saw many examples of positive and respectful staff-student relationships such as students hi-fiving a principal on her rounds, year 10 students supporting their nervous teacher during a video interview and students bringing gifts for busy teachers.

Photographers Clint and Bethanie also love their work. They quickly relax nervous subjects in front of the lenses and are not phased by the unexpected during interviews or when visiting classrooms.

2015 RBF Award Finalist Sarah Baker

Schools are full of inspirational stories and it's been great to hear just a few that we can take to a wider audience over the next couple of months.


Photos used with permission.