While this only deals with a presentation, it is also an object lesson on what not to do when developing online course material.

Basically, it’ s two people standing on stage conducting a scripted debate with a predetermined outcome.  Listening to it reminded me of those lame scripted role plays from high school that used to have me squirming in my seat with embarrassment for all involved.  To be honest the format is ill considered, and while the presenters are experts in their fields, they don’t have the acting or presentation skills to pull it off.

Steven Pinker and Rebecca Newberger Goldstein explored how reason shaped human history at TED2012. While the talk fell flat in person, we've animated it to bring new life to this important idea. Photo: James Duncan Davidson

But someone involved decided the content was worthwhile and they decided to save it, so they brought in an animation company to dress it up.

They did a great job, adding in all the things that were missing – movement, colour, humour and clarity of message.   Unfortunately, the biggest draw back is still the original delivery.

In today's talk, "The Long Reach of Reason," Steven Pinker and Rebecca TK Goldstein have been animated by RSA.

Ten people are listed in the production credits and it must have taken months.  This must have cost a bomb.

It would have been far cheaper and just as effective to scrap it and start again.

In my experience developing  online courses, only about 10% of your pre-existing material is worth reusing (and before you start, everyone thinks their course is the exception).

Unless you can come up with a TED talk budget, or a pocket of fairy dust, no one is going to do this for your lectures.

http://blog.ted.com/2014/03/17/why-this-might-just-be-the-most-persuasive-ted-talk-ever-posted/

I found this via Presentation Zen