Construction of a visual (video-supported active learning) resource

QuickTime^TM conventions allow digitized video to be stored and played from the hard disc of an Apple Macintosh^TM or IBM PC microcomputer. This provides an opportunity to create interactive video-based tutorial support which combines the motivational attractions of videotape material with the targeted, active learning available with CAL. This paper describes the VISUAL (Video SUpported Active Learning) shell for creating and using such resources. In addition to access to individual segments of the digitized video, VISUAL resources allow the user to interact with it via a hierarchical descriptive script of the contents, and to select and reorder just those parts of the video that they wish to use, thereby giving unprecedented user control over the resource. The specific project described is the creation of a VISUAL resource of a session between a speech therapist and a client with a voice disorder. We believe that the VISUAL technique provides a cost-effective method for adding value to existing video resources, and that it is particularly powerful for applications involving learning by observation.