Hello Yossi, can you tell us exactly what your role is at Michlalah?

I am officially NewMedia Coordinator which means I deal with the implementation of new technologies in the college: Video, multimedia, 3D, Computer graphics, webdesign including ‘Richmedia’ program.
I also teach in our Technology and Media in Education program and last but not least I head the College Production Team (I have four former students working with me) where we produce videos (mostly documentaries), multimedia projects and ‘Richmedia Distance Learning’ programs.

Why do you have such a complete production suite inside a college?

Video Toaster answers the need of our production team for one. In addition, our students learn to use the various aspects of Video Toaster for teaching purposes. Ideally, we would have built a complete video production facility, but the costs are much too high. With Video Toaster, we can give the students a real taste of and hands-on training on an up-to-date, high quality system.
In our production environment, we use Video Toaster for program recording, editing and 3D animation.

You said Video Toaster was used inside the media in education program. How do they learn to use VT in relation with their course? Do they use the whole system or part of it?

The students learn to work with Video Toaster as part of their technology skills. When they go out into the "real world", they should be able to use a system like VT for recording, archiving and distributing educational materials.

What is their impression of Video Toaster?

They are VERY impressed by its slickness and high-end look. Even though they are not (yet) professionals, they can still appreciate the quality level of the output.

Can you tell us more about the Richmedia Distance Learning programs?

We use Video Toaster to prepare programs that will be integrated into courses later. Lectures, panels mixed with pre-recorded video segments (shot off-campus) and a lot of data integration (Powerpoint slides, Flash animations etc…) The emphasis is on the balanced integration of the various media and how they relate to the message. Delivery is off-line (Interactive CDs and via our LAN) or on-line via our media server.

What is the purpose of the college production team?

We are here to provide service in graphics, video, multimedia etc… for the College itself as well as for the different departments. In addition we thrive to "push the envelope" and integrate any new technology we feel could help the College.

We also use the Video Toaster for event coverage (that was actually one of the reasons I got approved for the purchase of Video Toaster). The last really big event was a convention of over 3000 Alumnae in the ICC in Jerusalem. In addition, 2-4 times a year, we organise national seminars on various topics, which are recorded, edited and offered both to the participants and to the public.