Les articles du dossier
Les experts du dossier

Dossier special

Interview (e-learning): : Matthew Pierce, manager of training, document, and support efforts at TechSmith.

bsoco : How does TechSmith fit into the world of e-learning today? Can we define you as a leader in the field of e-learning?

Matthew Pierce: TechSmith creates software that allows anyone involved in elearning to create and share their knowledge through images and video. Tools like Camtasia and Snagit can create stand alone content that is perfect for online delivery, or can be used with a variety of authoring tools and learning management systems (LMSs).

Our tools have been used for a long time in elearning. Because of this we’ve gained a lot of knowledge about elearning, especially how images and videos can enhance projects or standalone pieces. A great example of this is the Flipped Classroom Movement. The founders of that project Jon Bergman and Aaron Sam’s used TechSmith tools to help make the flipped classroom a reality. 

bsoco : Are there any traps that need to be avoided when starting an e-learning project?

Matthew Pierce: I think the typical traps are usually not looking far enough ahead to know what roadblocks or challenges you might come across when using technology. Because elearning is typically experienced in different environments, planning needs to consider the learning environment and try to overcome any barriers that might be created.

Another trap is that we often try to take the path of least resistance when starting a project. For instance, it seems easier to record a voice over for a video than to script or outline what will be said. However, even though going through the scripting process can seem to take more time, it actually saves time and effort throughout the course of the project. Everything from clearer more objective editing to ease of localization and ease of making the project more accessible.

bsoco : For whom do you make the software? What benefits would your software bring to your customers?

Matthew Pierce: TechSmith software is made for individuals and organizations that have expertise and knowledge they want or need to share, but don’t want to be or learn how to be a professional video producer or graphic designer. That knowledge can be something simple, like where to find a button in a piece of software, to much larger projects like presenting complex concepts and ideas visually. TechSmith tools are used by most Fortune 500 companies, but also by many small businesses.

The benefits are clear, you don’t have to be a professional videographer, graphic designer, or visual communicator to create compelling visuals or video. You can also bring content from your computer screen to be more sharable. There are so many possibilities of the types of learning content that can be enhanced with TechSmith products.  

bsoco: How do you see the present and the future of e-learning market?

Matthew Pierce: Elearning is in an interesting time, especially with the ideas behind a lot of technologies starting to coalesce, and become much more readily available and accessible to elearning professional. I think we’re just starting to realize some of the potential of elearning. In practice, the field has been moving to do more and more. With faster bandwidth connections and smartphones, people are now highly connected. This is opening up new opportunities to approach learners with just-in-time learning, a greater ability to access the catalogs of knowledge and more ways to connect individuals across multiple devices. In the future, learners won’t be tethered to a desktop computer, elearning will be presented in amazing ways across a variety of devices that will be formatted and suited to meet the demands of the job, location, device, and ultimately the learner. There is no doubt that regardless of all these components, much of it will include more visuals and more video.

bsoco: Thank you for your answers.

www.techsmith.com

 

 

Publi-reportage - //20