Video Content with Office Mix and PowerPoint

During week 6 of our ION course we were challenged to produce some video content for a course. This is a completely daunting task if you haven’t done it before. And, it did take an inordinate amount of time. One classmate reported spending 7 hours producing a 7 minute video. My ratio was similar.

However, the most time-consuming aspect was NOT figuring out the software. I chose Office Mix that adds into PowerPoint. I liked the idea that I already use PowerPoint routinely, and hopefully the Mix add-on would be easy to use.

In fact, it takes about two minutes to figure out how to use it. Simply create your PowerPoint, go to the Mix tab, and start recording with standard play, pause, and review buttons. The time is in the production details. It’s alarming to watch your own facial expressions, especially paused in bizarre contortions. The lighting isn’t right. The fish tank is gurgling. The parrot is chirping. The sun is shining in all the windows. The camera is too high, too low, too near, too far. Microphone is or is not working well. And then speaking. Somehow it seems unacceptable to have a natural speech pattern with various imperfections, and we want it perfect.

I think most of the production details will be ironed out with experience – we’ll have the location, positions, lighting, etc worked out. As for the perfect speaking…I think that in the interest of actually getting anything done, ever, we have to allow ourselves to simply be ourselves, and accept the imperfections. It’s hard to think about a student who might replay our awkward moments over and over, but so be it.

For all my classmates who posted onto YouTube, I applaud your bravery!

Here's my first ever video content: Office Mix video

I am very pleased with the Office Mix product. It produces a professional, attractive product. All evidence to the contrary is user-related!

Lynn