Multimedia engineering is the engineering process of de-compiling an e-learning or similar multimedia product into its components, sending these components for localization, re-integrating the localized components and testing the translated product.
It involves an intricate knowledge of the underlying application (eg Macromedia Director ) as well as the steps involved in the localization process. It takes significant creativity on the part of the multimedia engineers to ensure that the final translated
e-learning product is as good as, or sometimes better, than the original source product.
Client Tips:
As part of the development cycle for e-learning products, focus your engineering team to consider how the product can be easily localized. Some key questions for your development team include:
Most importantly, you can ensure savings by handing off a comprehensive set of source files, instructions and assets as part of your "Localization Kit".
Ensure your development team are constantly focused on the localization requirements and the localization process will run smoothly.
Increasingly, corporate training is taking the form of online web-based learning. Staff members access corporate training materials through their internet browser.
Client Tips:
Web-based training needs to take account of the bandwidth and access speeds available to the end-user. Don’t overload with video clips and high-resolution graphics.
Online E-learning courses are developed using storyboard software. The storyboards contain an outline of the information that needs to be contained in the e-learning course.
Client Tips:
Where possible, send your translation company a copy of the storyboard in advance of the translation phase.
The translation company can use the story-board to start to identify suitable translators as well as subject matter experts. This can help to shorten the translation timeframe.
In order for the voice component of an e-learning course to be translated, the script, containing text, character names and time-codes needs to be provided to the translation company for script translation.
Client Tips:
It is important to ensure your own recording studio keep the source-language (English) script up-to-date. Very often last minute changes to the script can be made in the studio without noting these changes. The script is then out of step with the audio.
This potential pit-fall in the translation process can usually be overcome as the translated scripts are being recorded - but generally results in time delays and increased costs.
A sequence of numeric codes associated with a script which describe the start time, end time and length of an audio sequence. The time-code is used to ensure that translated audio is the same length as the source audio - to allow it to be inserted into the translated e-learning application.
Client Tips:
Without the time-codes, the sound studio will have to examine every source audio file and record the length of sequence.
Providing a script with time-codes can save you time and money.
As well as taking information visually, it is important that a student can hear the message being communicated. The voice over is a recording of the on-screen text using voice recording software - allowing the student to absorb information through an additional sensory channel.
Client Tips:
Voice over training can add a significant cost to any e-learning course. It is important that the ROI calculation is completed in advance of budgeting. For key courses, which will have a significant impact on ensuring the business meets its organisational goals - the added cost of voice over should not be shirked.
An actor or person who is capable of speaking clearly and comprehensibly to communicate information as part of an e-learning application.
Client Tips:
Ensure your translation partner has selected professional voice talent for your course. Always ask for a sample of the voice and have this sample reviewed by staff in your local offices.
It is vital to take account of cultural norms when selecting suitable voice talent for your course as the choice of talent can have a significant influence on the end-user reception. Use the knowledge of local staff to assist in this selection process.
Instead of recording a target language version of the source language voice over, text or sub-titles can be added to the e-learning application. Sub-titles generally summarize what is being said - allowing the target audience to capture the main points of what the speaker is saying.
Client Tips:
For an e-learning application, sub-titles are not recommended since they do not optimize the learning experience.
Sub-titles can be suitable for use on corporate videos where an important message (CEO, CTO) needs to be communicated world-wide. In these cases, optimizing learning is not a key factor.
Dubbing involves inserting a new soundtrack, often a synchronized translation, of the original dialogue into the e-learning application.
Unlike a voice over, the original voice is replaced and only the translated soundtrack is heard.
Client Tips:
This option is not often used for corporate e-learning courses due to cost. However, when ROI or target audience needs are considered, it may sometime be required.
Usually used in film industry.
A more sophisticated form of dubbing where the sound-track is modified to ensure that the actor’s lips and the voice match.
Client Tips:
Usually used in the TV and film industry.
Since most e-learning courses are tailored for a specific target audience, it is important to ensure that the translated course is accurate and specific for the target audience.
Subject matter experts are involved in translation and also in the final language QA steps of the e-learning courses. These experts act as beta-testers, ensuring the e-learning course is as effective and accurate in the target language as in the source language.
Client Tips:
Always ask your translation company for the credentials of the SMEs they plan to use.
Where the course is particularly specific or complex, request multiple SMEs to review the course and provide input. You are thus guaranteeing your investment in your translations.
Podcasting is the distribution of audio or video files, such as radio programs, expert opinions or music videos, over the Internet usually using an RSS feed for listening on mobile devices and personal computers. A podcast typically features one type of "show" with new episodes appearing either sporadically or at planned intervals - daily, weekly, for example.
Client Tips:
Podcasting is rapidly becoming popular as an effective means of communicating key information to select target audiences.
Sales teams can regularly download podcasts to keep themselves updated with latest organisation information.
The Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) is a set of standards that produces small, reusable learning objects. SCORM-compliant courseware elements can be easily merged with other compliant elements to produce a highly modular repository of training materials.
Client Tips:
Ensure your e-learning developer develops course to SCORM standards.
The developer should also ensure that the E-learning translation phase will deliver SCORM-compliant courses to you.
A Learning Management System, or LMS, is an application that automates the administration of training events. Many large organisations have an internal Learning Management System that allows them to store all training courses, records and training data in one central repository.
E-learning and training records stored in the LMS are generally accessed through web-browser. The LMS allows the HR department, as well as individual staff members, to manage learning and development.
Client Tips:
There are many LMS systems available on the market. Choose the one that suits your organizational needs. Most top e-learning courses will integrate with the main LMS systems.
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