Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a computer, a video file containing audio content and or visual content. The method further involves, based on a determination of the rates at which information is communicated by different temporal segments of the video file when played back at a default playback speed, assigning a respective target playback speed to each the different temporal segments of the video file. The video file is edited and marked in a format to be played back on a video player so that each of the different temporal segments of the video file can be played back at its respective assigned target playback speed.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a computer, a video file containing audio content and or visual content. The method further involves, based on a determination of the rates at which information is communicated by different temporal segments of the video file when played back at a default playback speed, assigning a respective target playback speed to each the different temporal segments of the video file. The video file is edited and marked in a format to be played back on a video player so that each of the different temporal segments of the video file can be played back at its respective assigned target playback speed.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a method for generating a digital textbook can include receiving, by a computing device, a time-based transcript of a video of an online lecture, receiving a time-based thumbnail image subset of images included in the video of the online lecture, and displaying at least a portion of the transcript including a particular word. The method can further include receiving a selection of the particular word, determining a first thumbnail image and a second thumbnail image associated with the particular word, displaying the first thumbnail image and the second thumbnail image, receiving a selection of the first thumbnail image, and modifying, based on the selection of the first thumbnail image, the time-based transcript by including the first thumbnail image in the time-based transcript. The method can further include storing the modified time-based transcript as the digital textbook.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing rapid DNA sequencing, such as genomic sequencing, is provided herein. The method includes the steps of preparing a sample DNA for genomic sequencing, amplifying the prepared DNA in a representative manner, and performing multiple sequencing reaction on the amplified DNA with only one primer hybridization step.