Over the years I’m done hundreds of videos showing tips, tricks, techniques and methods for building ASP.NET applications.
One drawback of videos, especially as we move toward Hi-Def is that there is still much of the world’s developers lack the bandwidth to view streaming videos.
Some folks have he band width at work but not at home, etc.
So lately I’ve had this application in my head.
It’s a Windows Desktop application (and maybe a Windows Phone 7 application) that starts as large index into Developer content.
The content would be organized into “curriculum based learning” so that it could be referenced piece by piece or by a group as a syllabus.
Off course the index would all be searchable by category, tag, and keyword.
The app could contain and deliver video, audio, code, and written content and be capable of interactive learning modules (finish he module take a quiz, etc.)
The application would manage downloading in “the background” as bandwidth was available. (Either via an http server configured for presumable downloads or via a pre-seeded BitTorrent.
When all the assets for the curriculum are downloaded the user would get a notification that the material is ready for them.
New content would be feed by RSS/RDF and the application would sync an on line profile so that uses could keep track of what materials they have consumed and what they have not.
Anyway, it’s a rough idea and I wanted to ask people what they thought of it?
RE: Would you use an Off-Line Learning Application ?
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Joe,
I think that you have a good idea. There are several vendors and training style applications that function just as you described. The advantage is that you can schedule which video or content that you want to download and then watch/view the data when it is convenient for the user.
The same concept can be used to view content like web pages or PDF’s.
I think that it is a great idea and it addresses a need that we all experienced when downloading from a home connection.
Ray
Hi Joe, this idea is exciting. I suggest you set up a company to achieve your ideas.
Good idea. Maybe for a long course you could start before all the content was downloaded, (do lesson 1 while 2 downloads etc).
If the content is on a server somewhere then those with fast connection could view/use without downloading.
Have you considered Silverlight out of browser for this scenario?
Regards,
Keith
It is a good Idea, Joe.. I think such application could be very useful.
Good luck on implementation
I for one would use it, it’s a great idea and as mentioned there are solutions out there but they cost.
Can’t wait to see it.
Hi Joe,
It’s a great idea, something I know would work, I work for an education provider and we are looking to move into e-learning and delivering courses through mobile apps. Something like this would allow us to make our training very engaging. Actually it’s something the Principal has stated we will do in the near future. We have about 180,000 students all told… this would be sweet.
Simon
I would wish to be able to limit to download to WiFi (and physical cable) so it does not try to down load when I am using the phone network due to cost.
Windows Phone 7 app that make it easy to watch ALL Microsoft videos when on the train etc would be great.
Can the app be made so other providers of content can extent it?
I think that’s a cool idea. I’ve often toyed with a similar idea at home, something like an offline wiki I can use to collate source of information.
If you tie it into an application, it would be cool if the application could store source code and create sandboxes for you to try things. You could then supply contact information to the source of the material to report bugs / issues, and tie it all in to a chat client so people can post questions directly related to the content.
Hi Joe,
I would go for and use something like that, the bandwidth in my area is really shocking, something like this would help me learn something new without having to resort to using my lunch break at work.
If you go ahead with something like this I wouldn’t mind seeing it.
hi Joe,
I think learning content must be available in many ways as possible, a desktop/mobile app is a great one.
Great Idea, while the same circumstances i’m facing right now, lower bandwidth means less visual learning capabilities.also thought not everyone have a WMP, Desktop Application would be the best choice. looking foreward for the application :).
Joe,
You might want to take a look at the Telerik trianer for some ideas. It is an app that you load onto your desktop that incorporates a video with code that integrates with Visual Studio. It keeps track of all of the tutorials that you have downloaded and has a quick link back to the website for additional downloads. IMHO, the nicest thing about the trainer is that when you get to a point in the tutorial that specifically references coding, the code button on the bottom right of the trainer is enabled and when clicked, brings you into visual studio with a loaded sample app to the section of the app/code being described.
I think this is good idea. I usually use my Nokia N900 to watch tutorials but it doesn’t have good video catalogue. Another thing – I have to download videos manually and I really would like to just click on a video so it would be downloaded later (well, ASAP is better).
As I often watch videos while I’m on a subway (underground) all videos should be recorder with highest volume level possible. And that’s not N900′s problem for sure.
(I’m going to switch to WP7 when devices are available so WP7 app would be nice to have. But I’m switching only if they have Copy-Paste! – who’s the #@$% removed that from WP7???. Sorry for the offtopic)
Joe, I like the idea! However a better idea would be to create a game where the user could advance from the most basic concept drills and practices to the most advance. Not sure why no one is doing it. Most teaching materials out there just blow chunks. They don’t teach anything on a professional level – just basic concepts that are not well explained, ridiculed by professional developers and are useless when you’re working towards a career. This could launch a new product line that could replace and surpass a 2 or 4 year curriculum in college. The new generation of developers that are coming on the seen are a sad state of affair. We need to rebuild the community and the industry because asp.net is loosing the oomph it once had.
Hi Joe,
That indeed is a great thought and you really come up with a awesome idea.
That’s going to be another easier and effective way of learning and I am sure I’ll be updated with all your actions as I am following each of your tweets.
have a nice day.
Regards,
Anuj Tripathi
It’s an excellent idea. I could work on it to improve my Silverlight 4 skills to do it for Web, Desktop (out of Browser) and the same time would work for Windows Phone 7.
Let me know if you are going to work on it I want me to collaborate (but I love C#) or I might start alone. Maybe an open source project?
Joe you can reach me at david_carrillo@gmail.com or iscdavidcarrillo@gmail.com.
Lets work on define Requirements and create User Stories
Hi Joe!
I’ve downloaded lots of videos from http://www.asp.net on my PC, and watched them on the train, "off-line", while commuting. An application like the one you described above would definitely be very useful. As a minimum, the search functionality, as well as the ability to choose the video(s)/code to be downloaded, would be appreciated.
Best regards.
Hat’s off. Well done, as we know that “hard work always pays off”,
after a long struggle with sincere effort it’s done.
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