Alec Couros‘ presentation Open, Social, Connected really delivers on how to present for an online conference. The challenge of creating content for an online conference is a daunting and exciting adventure. While this year’s presentations were limited to 20 minutes or less, they weren’t and aren’t restricted to any specific format. We’ve yet to develop too many standards in what makes a good online presentation. I’m not ready yet to thrown down the rubric. There’s too much to be explored.
Where Alec wins is in his wise mix of media including public domain video and audio, thoughtful graphics and animation, green screen, humor and a personal touch. I’ve always enjoyed presentations that show me context. Who are you? Where do you live? David Warlick did a great job with this in prior keynotes and Clarence Fisher focused largely on place in his keynote last year. Alec begins his presentation by providing a context and allowing us to get comfortable with his content.
Since his content is about open content, Alec uses video from public domain to create transitions to his piece. In this way, it’s easy for us to follow.
His feature on twitter might challenge Common Craft as a visual way to explain twitter. Not the same style but equally effective.
I could go on but you’d be best to watch it yourself. Again, whether you are watching because the concept is intrigues or not, watch as one way to deliver an effective online presentation. The bad news is this kind of work takes more time than most are willing to offer. But good work requires this. Nicely done Alec.
Dean I second those comments — Alec’s presentation was entertaining, engaging and informative (although extremely slow to load — LOL). I am enjoying the whole k12online conference immensely. I am not an educator — “just” an interested parent and it is the openness that Alec speaks of, and that the conference embodies, that allows someone like me, who would never have been allowed/invited to an educational conference otherwise, to attend and interact with some truly amazing people. Well done — Well done indeed!!
Pennys last blog post..The Evil Square Box?
Thanks so much for the kind words, Dean. You’ve raised the bar on your recent videos, so I had to live up to the Saskatchewan standard for international presentations. I wish I could have done something more innovative for the theory pieces, but at least I tried to break up the potential monotony with varying pieces and comic relief. Still, as you say, it’s so much work … but SO much fun. Some days, I wish this was all I had to do! 🙂
Thanks again … there have been some great presentations so far, and the conference looks like it will once again be a great success. Thanks to you and the other organizers for all of their hard work.
Cheers.
Alec Couross last blog post..My K12 Online Presentation
Pingback: Linklog: 2008-10-23 : Ruminate
re: Britannica Blog (10/23 post) – Britannica Blog is tightly censored. Any reader comments incompatible with its commercial or ideological proclivities are excluded. Boycott Britannica censorship.
Pingback: Dancing Monkey Mania » Blog Archive » links for 2008-10-24