University of North Texas
Learning Enhancement Grants
Final Report
Due August 12, 2011
Proposer: Robby A. Petros
Proposal Title: Enhancing student learning through the redesign and modernization of
Organic Chemistry I and II curriculum
What were the key challenges you faced in completing your Learning Enhancement project
as you proposed?
Recording and posting multimedia podcasts of lecture materials turned out to be quite
technically challenging. I had problems with screen recording software when the shot
contained both a live video feed and work on a Hitachi smartboard. I initially tried
Adobe Captivate; however, the audio and video were out of sync – a problem I later came
to find out has been frequently reported. After testing numerous other screen recording
programs, I tried Microsoft Expression Encoder, which is free and worked flawlessly.
The short video clips encoded to .wmv files by the Expression Encoder were then
compiled and edited into complete podcasts in Windows Movie Maker. Another issue I
encountered was taking the screen recordings and eventually converting them to a format
acceptable for iTunes. Again after testing a number of programs, I found a free program
that worked quite well in converting .wmv files into .mp4 files (Freemake Video
Converter).
If you developed a course as part of your project, when is it scheduled to be offered?
The class redesign debuted this fall, and approximately 50 podcasts have been recorded
and posted to UNT’s iTunesU.
What, if anything, remains to be completed for your project and what is the schedule for
project completion?
A second objective of this course redesign was the implementation of online testing using
Norton SmartWork software. Unfortunately, the organic division changed textbooks
starting this fall and I am currently evaluating the online software associated with the new
textbook. This portion of the project should launch in the Fall of 2012.
Please provide information on any funds that were spent from the project budget since the
last report (amount and purpose). Please also list any purchases that remain to be made with
grant funds. All funds not expended by August 31, 2009 will be forfeited.
$5,000 was spent for summer support for Rob Petros. No funds remain.
Other information that you wish to provide:
Overall I would say the production quality of the podcasts is mediocre at best. I have
discussed the ‘production issues’ with Scott Warren from the Department of Learning
Technologies, and he was eager to help improve the production quality. This work will
likely take place in the Spring/Summer of 2012.
Please send completed form as an email attachment to Jane Himmel
(jane.himmel@unt.edu), Associate Director, Center for Learning Enhancement,
Assessment, and Redesign