Friday, August 21, 2009

Video Tutorials: "Can I see that again?"

[NOTE: Since 2009, Google Chrome has become my primary go-to browser. Extension development has slowed for Firefox. Nevertheless, these tools below still have no adequate substitute on Chrome (Downthemall, Outwit Images, Video Downloadhelper. The latter grabs from nearly every site - protected or not - I have ever come across, which is not the case with Chrome alternatives, such as Youtube Downloader or Freemake). Long story, short: I use Chrome day-to-day but keep Firefox for specialty uses]

One of the reasons I set up this site was to answer questions more efficiently. After all, there is a reason why some computer geeks wear t-shirts that say "No, I will NOT help you with your computer!"

I might give a short tutorial on how to use a time-saving teaching/learning digital tool but users really need a resource to "see it again" on their own.

Enter the "podcast" tutorial. Many software developers offer video podcasts (also known as "screencasts") to show how their program works. For example, yesterday I had 45 minutes to run through a variety of Firefox add-ons that students and teachers will find useful. But how much of this will people retain?

Here are some podcast tutorials of Firefox add-ons that I discussed in a rush. Elsewhere on this web site, you will find my discussions of how to use various tools. If a podcast tutorial is not available on the Internet, then the second-best thing is a FAQ list (Frequently Asked Questions), such as this one for Firefox extension "Downthemall!"

Selected podcast tutorials:


For more Zotero tutorials going into greater detail, click here

Outwit Images



Video Downloadhelper


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