The day started with a moderate drive to the city of Okemos which lies just outside of East Lansing. Driving that early in the morning was not a familiar ordeal because I live only a few minutes away from school and arriving to class on time never required much planning. Despite the unfamiliarity of finding myself mixed with others heading to work the drive went smooth and I even had time to stop for coffee before making my appearance.

When I arrived it wasn’t soon after that I met up with Betsy. We introduced ourselves and I quickly filled out a NDA agreement. It was then off to a developer meeting where I got to sit in and listen to many of the issues and features the Camtasia Studio team is currently working on. I got the opportunity to introduce myself and did my best to answer their questions. I honestly was a bit nervous sitting there as a college student trying not to come off as the goof ball I usually am. I forgot to mention a few things but I know a quick email will allow my thoughts to eventually reach them. This is because the first thing that really struck me about TechSmith is that they really do care and listen to what their customers have to say! It’s a simple concept I know, but one that I feel often is not present enough in today’s major companies. Not only do they listen attentively they also respond with action and often ask questions of their own. It was wonderful to observe these interactions first hand and it quickly became apparent why their applications are so great.

Soon after the meeting I got to talk to a few SnagIt team members and share my suggestions. As new and inexperienced as I am with Camtasia Studio my skills with SnagIt are even more deficient. My only real concern with SnagIt at the moment is its inking capability. This feature is actually a deal breaker for me as Tablet PC user and I even posted about the Microsoft clipping utility I use not too long ago. The product manager was pretty much already aware of this situation which was good to hear. The truth is Tablet PCs are not mainstream yet so expecting them to design products with features specifically tailored for Tablet PC users is usually asking too much. They did assure me though that they are aware of the problem and looking into possible solutions. It was interesting to discover that SnagIt has been around for 15 years! As a computer junkie it was incredibly embarrassing to realize I never had heard about SnagIt until just a few months ago! I often remember the desire to capture the screen but using the print screen key on the keyboard and modifying it in paint was usually good enough. However, things are a bit different now and with so much of my work digitalized, a good screen clipping utility is extremely valuable a times. I’m glad to see that a terrific product like SnagIt can handle most tasks I throw at it.

There are also many features, buttons, and tools in SnagIt that require further examination as I quickly recognized a few gaps in my current usage. Even an old computer geek like me can learn a few new tricks! TechSmith is like a skilled trapezist in its ability to craft products that can balance between the most novice users and those seeking to exploit every advanced feature available. Throughout the day I kept reflecting on this amazing ability to create products that are accessible to such a broad variety of skill levels. It really is quite the accomplishment as throughout the years I’ve come across the same problem with many applications I have worked with.

After discovering that my SnagIt skills are in need of rescuing it was off to sit in on a webinar where TechSmith introduced and displayed several new features for an upcoming release. Again they listened and recorded feedback from actual Camtasia Studio users. I actually saw a few of my suggestions already being added to the new release and I was glad to see I was not alone with some of my issues. It was neat to hear what others had to say and within a few minutes I unholstered my Tablet PC and pen. I started scribbling down ideas and used their comments as the catalyst for my own brainstorming. It’s amazing how one person’s comment can all of a sudden trigger a new idea in your own brain. Since I almost never get to interact with other Camtasia Studio users hearing this input was actually very interesting for me and I often found myself nodding in agreement with many of their comments and suggestions. It’s great that TechSmith holds these webinars and once again demonstrates how dedicated they are to providing the best products possible by responding to what their customers have to say!

After this I actually sat down and tried to explain the difficulties I was experiencing while recording screen casts with my Tablet PC. Although I realize my Tablet PC (a Lenovo X41) is not a performance screaming machine I believe hardware requirements and performance issues are a genuine concern in educational settings. First off, Tablet PCs are usually a step behind in the performance department, although the gap is dwindling. While Camtasia Studio works great on many desktop computers the truth of the matter is that in educational settings many presentations, which could possibly be recorded with Camtasia Studio, are run on older notebooks. I can’t accurately report on the state of technology at other universities or even other departments at my own, but currently in the biology department at Oakland using updated laptops had not been a major concern. Of course there is also a lot of reluctance to use technology during lectures so it creates this incredibly viscous circle. How can I convince my professors to upgrade and buy new laptops when I can’t even run the software I want to show them on their current machines? I question the impact or difference I personally can make in this area but may end up attempting to use my very own laptop to record lectures in the fall. I’m only one student and don’t’ have the power or resources to change a whole department but I do plan on doing my best to at least inform teachers of the options that exist. Trying to make this message apparent is difficult for everyone as I don’t expect TechSmith to lower their requirements but at the same time don’t expect all my professors to rush out and buy new laptops to run a program they know nothing about. I guess it’s just one more hurdle in my attempt to introduce technology in the college setting.

I did learn however that many professors and teachers are taking matters into their own hands (often using their own funds!) to enhance the learning experience for students around the nation. It affirms that all is not lost and there may yet be a day when all schools and colleges are using software like Camtasia Studio to record lectures to enhance and improve the overall learning experience for students.

The day ended with a few more introductions and I also agreed to do a short interview; it was after all the least I could do! Just a few days earlier they had done an interview with a college professor that explained how he was utilizing software products like Camtasia Studio in the classroom. They thought it would be nice if they could capture a student’s thoughts on the mater in order to represent both teachers and students. I talked about different technologies and tools that can enhance the learning experience for students as well as dipped into the reasoning behind my blog and demos using Camtasia Studio. It was actually an easy topic for me to discuss as I often dream about a college where all students are using Tablet PCs, lectures are recorded and distributed online, PowerPoint lectures can easily be downloaded before class and tablets are used to makeup slides or handouts throughout the entire lecture. Class content, grades, and handouts would be easily accessible and managed online eliminating the need to pass out, distribute, and keep track of large amounts of paper. I constantly find myself battling to make an effort to incorporate these concepts into my own education but I know if it was already well established as core components of the class it would greatly enhance my learning and I could spend much more time learning the material than trying to record, organize and sort through all of it! I mention some of these benefits in the video so hopefully it won’t be too embarrassing and you can get an idea of the message I am trying to convey.

My hope is other professors and educators will view my interview and realize that students want to see these tools implemented in the classroom and that the extra effort to introduce them is well worth the initial investment. Just a few changes will greatly enhance and create a positive impact for many students. I also hope students share a similar vision and are motivated to venture out and possibly purchase a Tablet PC, start requesting recorded lectures or even just research and discover the possible options, tools and technologies that are currently available to assist throughout their educational career.

Making students and professors aware of these technologies is the first step and I am determined to do my best to help spread the word. It’s the reason I made my blog, and the reason I take time to sit down and talk to students about Tablet PCs and software. I’ve always wanted to help people and currently this is one area where I feel my skills and knowledge can make a difference and improve the lives of others!

I’d once again like to thank TechSmith for inviting me out! It was a pleasure to meet and talk to everyone and share my concerns and future suggestions. I am sure as I transform into a more experienced screen caster new ideas and features will evolve and I look forward to sharing them with all the TechSmith members. I’d personally like to thank Betsy Weber for inviting me out in the first place and taking time out of her busy schedule to show me around. It was a great visit and I only hope I one day can return the favor!