Overview

Detail: James Wrubel from the Software Engineering Institute, a Department of Defense training center located at Carnegie Mellon University, worked to develop an instructional delivery that suits the needs of different learning types. The system now offers 8,000 users over 10,000 hours of instruction per month. Presented in a simple, elegant and intuitive virtual learning environment (VLE), the lessons offer users the options to view a video of the instructor and the presentation materials, and to either read along with a transcript or to read ahead by detaching the audio from the transcript (caption files are presented as a transcript).

Research shows that most people process reading faster than listening to people speak. As part of development efforts, the SEI conducted research to understand usage and skills mastery. The concept of delivering a transcript offers the following benefits:

• The ability to perform deep keyword search throughout the content
• The ability to download, print and annotate course materials
• Access and control to pace learning by following the transcript or enabling students to read ahead

The SEI designed a system where students can move through the material at their own pace using the transcript as a guide to upcoming material. A transcript also allows students who may not speak the instructor's language to pause the lecture and look up words they need to clarify without missing any of the material. Because they are a government-funded program, compliance with American with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards is required.

External Link: CMU Software Engineering Institute Course with captions and transcripts

Industry: Education

Detail: KPBS utilizes AST's CaptionSync technology, which allows them to get the caption files for both TV and web media and launch both broadcasts simultaneously.

External Link: KPBS Show San Diego Week

Industry: Broadcast

Detail: Apple uses QuickTime videos to communicate to developers and Apple customers. Apple is committed to supporting accessibility in its products and captions its videos. At key events like Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), videos are captioned to allow viewers to read the presentations.

External Link: Apple developer captioned videos

Industry: Corporate