My Vista unit (created within this course) is centred on BC grade 6 science curriculum. If I was to ever create an online course, I would have a better idea of what I need to include, how much it will cost, and how much time do I need to invest in getting my online goals up and running.
I have been using images (jpegs) related to topics such as electricity (e.g. image of a series circuit). Google images have assisted me in finding images but in some cases I take pictures of real set-ups (since my other job is a photographer) in which case there is no need to worry about copyright. If I was to further my LMS site, I would include video clips created by BrainPop – which are great to use when introducing a topic (e.g. International Space Station, polar regions, etc.) I already do use BrainPop clips when I teach grade 6 science in the classroom with the use of my interactive whiteboard. Other multimedia I have utilized and continue to use are Discovery Channel video clips or DVDs and Bill Nye DVDs.
Required technologies to prepare my chosen multimedia for Vista would be a capable computer, Internet connection, and a digital camera.
Estimated time to create or prep would be (for me) minimal as I have found the resources from BrainPop already and shooting pictures of real set-ups would come efficiently. However, setting up or finding images may take up more time than expected so – I would say maybe an hour to two hours to create or prep multimedia. Ultimately, once these types of multimedia are set up, I think prep time to used them again will decrease. For another teacher who is new to Vista and the above multimedia, the possibility of spending four-five hours can be proposed.
Associated costs can include: decent digital camera; yearly subscription to BrainPop; DVDs of Bill Nye; DVD episodes from Discovery Channel; Blackboard Vista licensing fee; capable computer; and Internet connection.