Patent Tutorial: Need, Creation & Execution Andrew Wohrley Patent & Trademark Depository Librarian Auburn University Libraries Background Image By: Paul Watson Title: 30 th January 2005 Creative Commons License: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 URL:

The Eternal Patent Question I had the hardest time finding patents in my area!

Need Problem –Patent Literature esoteric –Searchers From keyword search … To the classification search –Time consuming Librarian Searcher Solution –Covers basics –Sources –Methodology

Evaluate solutions Vodcast Visually interesting Difficult to do well –Poorly constructed videos »Distracting »Ineffective »Drain staff time

Evaluation PowerPoint Slideshow Advantages –Easiest to do –Lowest bandwidth Disadvantages –Dull –Proprietary software

Evaluation Captivate or Camtasia Advantages –Motion capture –Audio tracks Shockwave MP3 Disadvantages –Bandwidth intensive

Solution Asynchronous –Available at any time –No need for the librarian in the session Interesting –Would you watch it to learn? Brief –Saves time –Saves bandwidth –More likely to be used

Creation WILL INVOLVE FAR MORE –TIME –ISSUES –CORRECTIONS –PEOPLE –DEPARTMENTS THAN YOU ANTICIPATE!

Execution Interior –Script –Performers –Technology Exterior –Departments –Audience –Policy

What you should do… “If it’s not on the page, it’s not on the stage,” –Best advice I received from Summer Academy –The script is: A plan Dialogue A check Never record anything until after you have a script!

Script The script should –Be crossed against the slide it is spoken on Slide 1—”To be or not to be”. Slide 2—”That is the question…” Checked –Accuracy –Coherence –Flow Based on 7 Step Strategy

Preparation Script –Before recording, make last check –Review by others ideal Performers –Select who will participate Technology –Must serve the tutorial –Beware of the reverse!

More about Performers Select performers carefully –Speaker Cayce Van Horn –She is new assistant in library instruction –MA in English –Experienced GTA –Minor in Theatre –Ideal narrator

Facilities Digital Resources Lab Provides Large Plot printers Color printers Multimedia Computers Multimedia Software Recording Studio

Exterior Issues with Systems Department –Should have consulted more –Supportive of online tutorials, but… –Wanted tutorials on a streaming server… Needed to be purchased –I did not realize this

Audience –Be very careful Respond to their needs—not your wishes Ask: “What are people always asking me about that can go on a tutorial?” –Audience must relate to material Minimize jargon –Like the word “hierarchy” Beware of word overuse –Words like “This…”

Policy Related to Departments Do they view the tutorial as related to your work? Will they give you time to work on it? Support you with money? Do they want something?

Analysis Loaded tutorial online Public now knows about it! Usage statistics Feedback

Future “How to install TIFF plug-in” Tutorials on using engineering databases Vodcasting inevitable Next generation of tutorials –Special effects Multiple pages Page flipping.

Conclusion Tutorials can save time Choose appropriate technology Make instruction convenient Must consider the purpose Know your audience Plan ahead