Annenberg Hotkeys

Photo Credit: Headway / Unsplash

Annenberg Hotkeys is a free, easy to use, distance learning platform that enables students to learn via interactive video.

Designed at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania in Spring of 2020 to help train medical students to diagnose and treat COVID-19 during lockdown, Annenberg Hotkeys has wide-reaching applications. The software enables distance learning, such as teaching professionals in traditionally underserved areas, and can be used for any type of education that employs branching logic or response to video stimulus.

While Annenberg Hotkeys can be used to teach over remote conferencing applications such as Zoom, the videos run locally, without an internet connection, which means it can be used in the field and in places without strong connectivity.

Written in HTML and JavaScript, Annenberg Hotkeys uses video modules that can be professionally produced or created with something as simple as a cell phone, giving the end users great flexibility in utilizing localized content.

See Annenberg Hotkeys in Action

Download Annenberg Hotkeys

The current version of Annenberg Hotkeys is 4.0. It represents a significant improvement over previous versions. Now up to 255 videos in 10 different modules can be loaded at once and each videos is a maximum of 2 keystrokes away. Also, the user is no longer required to rename files. Annenberg Hotkeys can use long, descriptive video files names which makes record keeping much simpler. 

Annenberg Hotkeys 4.0 can be downloaded here.

Also, a free set of 28 videos for Pediatric ABC's can be downloaded here. These high quality video files are combined into a 2.7gb .zip file. Together they provide a comprehensive resource for creating immersive lessons on pediatric ABC's (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) in a simulated hospital emergency department setting. 

The videos in this module can be used to create any number of trainings for pediatric emergency scenarios. 

Instructions for Using Annenberg Hotkeys 4.0

1. Understanding the File Structure
   
   Annenberg Hotkeys 4.0 supports up to 10 modules (numbered 0-9) loaded simultaneously, with each module capable of containing 26 video files (a-z). The file structure is organized as follows:
   
   • The main Annenberg Hotkeys modules folder contains 10 subfolders, numbered 0-9.
   • Within each numbered subfolder, there are 26 additional subfolders, labeled a-z.
   
   If these folders don't exist, you can create them manually. This structure allows for quick access to videos using a two-key combination (module number + video letter) or a single keystroke when not switching modules.
2. Assigning Videos to Keys
   
   To assign a video to a specific key within a module:
   
   • Simply drag the desired video file into the corresponding subfolder.
   • Annenberg Hotkeys will play the first video it finds in that subfolder when the corresponding key is pressed.
   
   You can organize videos using patterns on the keyboard or mnemonics that make sense to you. It's recommended to print out a list of keys and their corresponding videos for quick reference during facilitation.
3. Starting Annenberg Hotkeys
   
   To launch Annenberg Hotkeys:
   
   1. Locate the index.html file in the Annenberg Hotkeys directory.
   2. Right-click on index.html and select "Open with," choosing a compatible browser.
   3. When the splash screen appears, maximize the window for full-screen viewing.
   Annenberg Hotkeys will prompt you to select the folder containing the modules you want to run.
   
   **Note:** You can store modules anywhere - on a thumb drive, network drive, or local machine. By default, they're located in the Modules subfolder of the Annenberg Hotkeys folder.
4. Running Annenberg Hotkeys 4.0
   
   Once you've selected the modules folder:
   
   1. Choose a module by pressing a number (0-9). This loads the module without visible notification to avoid distracting learners.
   2. With a module active, pressing any key corresponding to a folder with a video will immediately launch that video.
5. Video Controls
   
   Annenberg Hotkeys offers basic video controls:
   
   • Pause/Play: Spacebar
   • Rewind 10 seconds: Back arrow
   • Fast forward 10 seconds: Forward arrow
   
   These controls are useful for pausing during discussions or reviewing specific sections with learners.
6. Adding Your Own Videos
   
   To create your own module or add videos to an existing one:
   
   1. Ensure your video is in .mp4 format.
   2. Place the .mp4 file in the appropriate directory within the modules folder structure.
   
   Annenberg Hotkeys will automatically recognize and play any .mp4 video placed in the correct module folder.

Collaborate/Contact

Do you have a project that you think would benefit from the use of Annenberg Hotkeys? While medical professionals were early adopters of this technology, this platform can be used to teach anything that is learned by observing and making decisions based on those observations.  

Annenberg Hotkeys has been used to train healthcare workers and medical students in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID19 and related illnesses, but its usefulness isn't limited to medical applications. We're interested in discovering how it can serve as a platform to facilitate learning in other areas.

For more information contact Kyle Cassidy (kcassidy@asc.upenn.edu).