A videobook is a form of online training that provides web-based training via downloadable training videos.
Most videobooks are single website entities that emphasize on teaching the user (typically a subscriber) a particular topic. Videobooks are, as the name implies, similar in content and outline to a “regular” book. The videos are typically recorded by a trained instructor and provided to the viewer on a subscription-based model. The user visits the videobook (the website containing the training videos), purchases a subscription, and can then download any or all of the training videos.
Videobooks are different from many Computer-based training (CBT) models in that videobook videos are typically in a shareable/portable (non-proprietary) format. They also vary in the content delivery.
Key Features of a Videobook
COMPONENTS: Basic component of a videobook is video. Comparing videobook to printed book and audio book, the printed book will have printed text (words), the audio book will have audio words. The videobook will have text showing on user screen along with pictures and video clips, if necessary. The text displayed may get animated along with related audio commentary in the background. Videobook may also include video footage shot from video camera or video footage collected from any source.
DELIVERY: Typically, web-based delivery in video format. Downloadable videos, free of cost or at low cost for a subscription
FOCUS: Videos focus on teaching a specific task (task-based videos)
LEARNER’S FREEDOM: Learner can watch the videos in any order they wish; the videos are presented in a suggested order but, due to the downloadable model, learners can download and watch videos in any sequence. Videobook’s provide freedom to learner to learn in his own pace and at his own leisure time
TEACHER’S FREEDOM : Videobook’s provide freedom to subject expert to prepare video content in the way he wants
CONNECTIVITY: Require no Internet connection to watch the video (Internet connection is required to download the video however)
PORTABILITY: Videos are portable and non-proprietary; users can watch the video on any computer and most portable devices
TARGET GROUP: Target market is usually the individual instead of a corporation or company department
COST OF PREPARATION: Videobook’s are very cost-effective and easy to develop using low cost screen capturing software. Lot of scope to boost the functionalities of screen capturing software, available in market at present.
PROCESS OF PREPARATION: Videobook’s may be prepared for any topic of knowledge using a) presentation software such as Power point, b) Screen capturing software such as Camtasia and c) Text-to-Speech software, such as TextAloudMP3 to provide audio commentary. With the use of these three powerful tools, any expert can develop Videobook’s at his leisure time, modify & fine tune the content as per learner’s feedback and release improved versions of Videobook’s conveniently.