In High School, I remember the first assignment that needed to be typed and not hand-written. I had to get my mother to do the typing for me! The technology of manual typewriters, ribbons, and white-out demanded a high degree of skill, manual dexterity, and practice. Advancements in word-processors, electronics, and printers have made this a distant memory. There is no question that documents created today are easier to read, analyze, and search.
Videos and Infographics seem to be in a similar realm. The software to create and edit videos has evolved to be nearly as simple as word processing. The file sizes and amount of information processed is “orders of magnitude” larger, but the process is surprisingly simple.
The focus on being concise and efficient hasn’t changed.
Students struggle with the idea of making a 1-page resume and a brief cover letter. They constantly have more information to add to the single piece of paper used to summarize their life and accomplishments. Conceptually, the focus on the audience and what is important to them is extremely difficult when you are personally invested in the topic.
Last year, we made a decision to make short summary videos of the CareerFEST events held on campus. Taking 6 hours of raw footage from any event and distilling into 2-minute videos doesn’t seem fair! There were hours of planning meetings, scheduling, and logistics that went into these events. But, when you watch the final product, the focus needs to be on the design and outcomes of the event. The videos are available on: https://www.youtube.com/user/MTUCareer
Today’s student has grown up with access to the Internet in their hand – both literally and figuratively. They would much rather see infographics, diagrams, and videos to describe events and complex relationships. Why not watch the video online rather than read the book? I have to admit, when these things are done right, I’d rather watch a video or review and infographic too!
