#vlit

[gcsolutions]

vILT - A Necessary Addition to Your eLearning Program

Classroom learning might soon become a thing of the past, as the “new normal” comes into effect, boosting the growth of the eLearning industry, around the globe. But changing training methodologies from classroom sessions to vILT requires identifying training goals and devising strategy that converts training content with minimal loss of objective.

[netmassimo]

An article published in the journal "Nature" describes the first detailed observation of the environment surrounding a supermassive black hole outside the Milky Way. A team of astronomers led by Professor Hagai Netzer of the Tel Aviv University used the GRAVITY instrument installed on ESO's VLTI to examine the first quasar discovered, known as 3C 273, uncovering gas clouds that move quickly around the black hole that powers that quasar and forms its heart.

[clairedelunefilms]

UNF Final Reflection

Presentation link: http://www.scribd.com/doc/249832615/UNF-Pitch-It-Only Takes-One-Heart-Yours-1 

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BIW0WlS9L0&feature=youtu.be 

Radio link: https://soundcloud.com/user374163356/unf-radio-spot

Many of our early errors were technical. We didn’t use the right fonts, and our proposal felt like four individual presentations instead of one. The initial client feedback helped us to put all this in perspective: at one point, a UNF representative suggested adding the word “yours” to the back of our tagline. This way, we are more directly connecting to audiences, as well as making our whole concept more thematically secure. This provided the connective tissue we needed to solidify our presentation, and I am proud of how far we have come. The final presentation at the UNF office was proof that a healthy team effort can make a great campaign. Not just our group, either: it was exciting to see how each group took a raw concept and built on it. The evolution of each project was remarkable.

We had worked on this specific project so much that we were confident in our ability to convey our points. The goal for this campaign was to encompass all branches of the UNF, as the final tagline can be applied to multiple situations. Through our video, audio, and print advertisements, we sought to catch the attention of people of every background. Our campaign was not meant for one particular age demographic, for example. We wanted to send the message that anyone can help, something that not enough people are aware of. As a college student, I often feel powerless, and unsure of what I can do to help. The main objective of this campaign is to tell people that there is always something they can do. For example, a Nothing But Nets donation can be as small as ten dollars. That’s completely reasonable for a college student!

I believe each group also grew together throughout the semester, not just over the course of this one assignment. JJ, Michaela, Carolyn, and I worked together from the very beginning with our PowerPoint on various elements of design. It was in part because of this cohesiveness that we were confident going into our final presentation. We knew that we were a connected group, and we believed not only in ourselves, but also in each other. 

[clairedelunefilms]

It Only Takes One Heart. Yours. (Emma Claire Martin, Michaela Blain, JJ Blake, and Carolyn Schneider)

Our video advertisement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BIW0WlS9L0&feature=youtu.be 

Our radio spot: https://soundcloud.com/user374163356/unf-radio-spot

This was quite a unique experience, I must say. I’ve never presented a marketing pitch to a room of professionals before. Ultimately, it was an experience that will be useful later on in life, when I give presentations for potential employers. I typically feel comfortable speaking in front of a group of people, and I was confident that each member of my group had worked hard enough to know what they were talking about. It was exciting to see weeks of work culminate into such an exciting conclusion (other than the revisions we will make during finals week, of course).

I was impressed by the presentations of each group I saw. Everyone seemed to know what to say and how to say it, and I have to believe the UNF crew was impressed as well. They seemed open to all our ideas while we presented them, and then proceeded to genuinely thank us for our time and effort. Although my group members and I were hoping for some more specific feedback from them, I cannot say I was disappointed with the overall experience.

I think the most important skill I learned from this project was developing brand coherency. It was fun, engaging, and worthwhile to tackle the challenge of connecting a collection of print ads with a video component and a radio spot. I learned to constantly be aware of fonts, colors, and taglines. I am very pleased with all that I learned through the UNF project.

[clairedelunefilms]

Rain (2014)

Inspired by Leonid Afremov's painting: "Rain's Rustle"

[clairedelunefilms]

Rain Debrief

It was the kind of project that took a great deal of cooperation. One of the most difficult aspects of any group project is managing multiples schedules, and trying to find times that work for everyone. Once we’re able to select a few afternoons, we still have to coordinate who is bringing which props, who is printing out which scripts, and who is renting out which equipment. Once all that comes together, the challenge of actually filming begins.

         In the production phase, my group collaborated nicely. We each divided up the roles so that no one was doing more than someone else. Michaela and I wrote the script and acted in it, JJ directed and worked the camera, and Caroline edited and worked the microphone. Through all of this, however, there was constant input. JJ and Caroline influenced the script, while Michaela and I made suggestions for editing. These kinds of projects only work when everyone is constantly communicating.

         Most of the challenges we faced were technical. None of us had much experience using an external microphone, for example. Finding locations to shoot was also a struggle: the Metro was often too noisy, and one scene was cut short do to impending construction.

         Overall, it was a great learning experience. Working together in a group can be a daunting event, but when everyone puts effort into the project, it is often exciting and fun. I had a great time travelling around campus and Tenleytown to film our scenes, and I know this experience will influence the way I work in group projects for years to come.

[clairedelunefilms]

Rough Cut

Here is the link to our rough cut 

It is a very, very rough cut.

[clairedelunefilms]

UNF Reaction

Before he began to review our projects, Benjamin Pickup explained his stoic composure. He told us that, though he wanted to be warmer and more responsive, in the real world we might face clients who are not so amiable. He then proceeded to give each great fantastically constructive feedback, highlighting both the strong and week points of each presentation. He made a clear effort to give each group praise before diving into what could be improved: this way, he captured their attention, and made his criticisms easier to receive.

Many of the things he noticed will indubitably help us moving forward – not just for this specific project, but rather, for all projects. Basic tips like “proofread for typos” are applicable in every academic or professional environment, while other, more specific pieces of advice such as “be aware of your demographic” will help us with future marketing opportunities. For my group (“It Only Takes One Heart”), his feedback was to develop our idea further. He loves the tag line, and shows us the potential it had – potential that we had overlooked. In preparation for the final presentation, we will take his feedback seriously and expand upon our current concept.