Note: these are general instructions for this assignment, and they apply to several different classes. There may be specific instructions for your class, especially on what to include. Any specific instructions have precedence over these general instructions. Ask if you are unsure.

This assignment is for you to create a demonstration video of your project. Instead of presenting your project in front of the class with a slide-show, you will show us a video that you made. Demonstration videos should last 5 minutes, unless otherwise specified, and anything from 4 to 6 minutes is acceptable. However, do not let the video have a slow pace, and make sure to make it complete and stand-alone. Afterward, you will answer questions from the class. Submit your videos to the professor in advance. You may be expected to give feedback about presentations to other students. Failure to do so will lead to a lower grade.

To capture video, you can use whatever device you want, such as a digital camera or cell-phone. The university also has equipment that you may be able to borrow. You can also capture video with the built-in camera on the Macs.

To put the video together, you can use "iMovie HD" on the Mac. It allows you to import video, and cut and splice it together. You can add title frames and credits. Also, you can save it in a format for web-streaming. You must turn in a copy that can be played on a Mac computer without requiring additional software.

Use the .mp4 format, since it works well across platforms. A copy of your video will be kept by the professor, and may be publically accessible. For example, it may be put on the professor's webpage for future classes.

Consult the class web page for how long your video should last. I recommend capturing video regularly throughout the semester. You may need to get another person to help you, i.e. hold the camera while you are in front of it. You can have anyone help you, but be sure to credit him/her/them in the video. Remember your audience - your talk should be understandable by any CS student (at your level) who has taken this class. Work on making the video concise, but informative. Time yourself - how quickly do you go through your material? If you work with partners, make sure that you present a fair share of the work, and that you are able to answer questions. Volunteer to answer questions when you know the answer.

What to Include

Here are some things to include.

• Include information about your video, like you would for any work turned in for a class. This means:
  • the title of your video
  • your name
  • the name and number of the class
  • what assignment this is, e.g. "project demonstration video"
  • the professor's name
  • date information, such as the semester and final due date
  • You should say your name in the video, but you do not need to read these other items if they are clearly visible in the video.
• Introduction - information that anyone would understand
• Detailed information that any computer science student at your level would understand, and information that only students in your class would understand.
• Background information, like where you got your idea.
• Consider including graphs/figures as appropriate.
• What you did.
• Include relevant observations, measurements, and statistics. For example, the VLSI class should: Include statistics such as timing information if available by simulation, or if not, your own analysis about critical path, delays, and clock cycles. Be sure to include size information: the total size of the circuit measured (X lambda by Y lambda), and the transistor count. If you need special equipment, let the instructor know in advance.
• Conclusions - information that anyone would understand, plus points from earlier discussions.
• Credits - thank everyone who helped you.
• Include your references at the end of your video, and be sure to cite your sources during the video as needed.

Your work should be self-contained and complete. That is, it should explain your project's background and motivation. You may have already explained to the class before, maybe even several times. However, your video should be clear and understandable to someone who has not heard of your project before. If I show your video to a class in the future, they should not be left wondering why you did what you did or what you were trying to accomplish.

It is difficult to present your work concisely within a short time-frame. People find it much easier to talk about their projects without regard to time, rambling on about minor points. This shows that the presentation is not rehearsed, and that the speaker has not considered what factors are essential to the presentation, and what factors are merely details. Therefore, I may stop your video if you exceed the time-frame. See my opinion on student writing for more information.

As Kai A. Olsen wrote in "The Economics of International Conferences," Computer, June 2004, page 90:        
        "...few understand the difficulty in giving a short presentation. Winston Churchill
        once said that he needed 10 minutes to prepare a three-hour presentation, but 10
        hours to prepare a 10-minute one."