Digital Design Theory: When I started
teaching Microsoft Office, I was surprised how many people recorded my classes
and how many audited the classes a second time. Who would want to hear eight
hours of Excel Formulas…again?
We wanted to
capture the spirit and action of the live classroom into videos. We also wanted
to link all of the video lessons to our Microsoft Office Specialist
certification training: 100% video coverage.
Now Appearing: Trying to capture the
Live Performance into little video lessons has been challenging. Speaking in
front of an audience is different from writing a textbook. The Computer Mama is
a dynamic speaker: humorous, engaging, and knowledgeable. Live classes have a relaxed pace: there is
time to wait for the laughter or the a-ha responses. The videos seem to
hurry-up. I find that I am editing the lessons and making them simple so that
we can complete the steps in less than 10 minutes. The books have far more
details and examples of how the software could be useful.
Movies vs Books: Writing a textbook in
the same manner as talking live in the classroom does not translate very well.
The language of certification books is formal. The material is specific: “Click
on Cell B2.” However, even with the constraints
of technical writing, the Computer Mama books have an author. There is someone
with a voice and an attitude. Students
enjoy the sidebar comments from the Computer Mama and the picture stories in
the margins. In comparison, many of the Microsoft Office books used in colleges
are institutional: a collection of various writers with different methods of
teaching.
Look Who’s Talking: We are working on
different approaches to the narration on the little videos. Our BETA videos are
available on YouTube.
Keep in mind that publishing on YouTube
flattens the video and removes the links to the online certification topics.
The
Computer Mama Guides to Microsoft Office Certification Training
Outstanding
Certification Training:
It is
possible to cover technical material in a methodical, concise method… and still
have fun.
This course offers you detailed, effective instruction to guide you through multiple
lab exercises. Instructionally, you are provided with consistent and logical content, opportunities to
practice the skills presented.
- November 11, 2012 ProCert Labs certifiies the Microsoft
Excel 2010 Advanced Guide for the Microsoft
Vendor of Approved Courseware program.
Emmitt Kelly Jr., Pt Barnum
Circus from the
Precious Moments Collection of Marni Frank
