VideoLinkwell Features

The VideoLinkwell application has three components: Record, Feedback and Import.

Record

Students record a sample of their work interpreting a source movie. They select a source movie which is an English or ASL Quicktime movie file or a sample that includes and interactive dialog with both ASL and English. The student then configures a camera attached to the computer via a firewire connection or uses the built in iSight camera in the Mac*. Once the equipment is set up they click the record button and the source movie plays while their interpretation is recorded. The student can pause and resume recording if they need to review portions of the source movie or try to redo their interpretation. Once the student completes the interpretation they click the stop button and the source movie and the target movie are merged together in a single Quicktime Movie file and saved along with a VideoLInkwell file in a project folder. The student can add subsequent versions to this file by creating a new version and recording a new interpretations of the source movie.

Feedback

Once a VideoLInkwell project has been created it can be viewed in the Feedback window. The instructor or student can open the VideoLinkwell file and they will see the merged source/target movie with a link bar below it. They can also view the original source movie which can be synchronized with the target movie. The instructor can add links to the merged target movie to give feedback in ASL or English. The student can review their work and their instructor’s comments. They can also add their own comments as well or record their attempts to re-interpret sections of the source movie. The student can also use this as a self study tool to practice and review their own work.

Links are added to the link bar using the link palette. At any point in the movie the instructor can add links which can contain text labels, text comments, video comments or pre-set tags. The links can be associated with a selected portion of the movie. These links are saved in the VideoLinkwell file and are visible in the link bar. Each version of the interpretation has its own links so feedback can be given on a series of versions as a student works on the interpretation.

Import

The Import component is used to record video that is not based on a source movie file. It may be recordings of students signing their own stories or interpreting live interactions. It can also be used to import existing movies from existing video files. The imported material is saved in a VideoLinkwell project so that it can be viewed in the Feedback window so that the links can be added.

System Requirements

The VideoLinkwell software requires the following hardware and software.

• Macintosh G4 or G5 or Intel Core 2 Duo system with 2 GB of memory, 120 GB hard drive, firewire port
• Mac OS X 10.4 ‘Tiger’ or Mac OS X 10.5 ‘Leopard’
• Quicktime 7 Pro (purchased from Apple for $37.99 - retail - education price may be less)
• Video Camera with Firewire or iLink connector, or internal iSight Camera*
• External firewire hard drive**
• BTV Pro (1 license is bundled with the VideoLinkwell application, additional needed licenses if needed may be purchased separately)

* for best video quality an external camera attached by firewire connection is recommended
** external firewire drive is recommended for recording and storage of video files