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Ku powerpoint videos v2
1. Working with videos to enliven your classroom! Thea S. Leonard, MS, REM, CHS-III Faculty | Kaplan University Email: [email_address] AIM: thealeonard Second Life: Thea Scribe Twitter: Prof_Thea
I wanted to work with a variety of teaching methods to encompasses more of the visual, auditory, and even the kinesthetic learners, while adding value to their classroom experience. I needed a method that utilized technology that was readily accessible by my students. Video was the answer.
When I create my own video material, I try to keep the content short and sweet, as in less than a minute. When I link to borrowed material, I try to keep the duration to less than three minutes. There are, of course, exceptions. ( o= For each item on the agenda, I’m going to give you a few examples, then a more detailed how-to on creating videos. The Animoto example is longest because it’s first. Xtranormal and Masher all have lots in common with Animoto, so once you get a hang of creating videos in one format, the others are much easier to learn. Are there any questions before I begin? Alright, let’s play with Animoto.
Animoto is probably the most popular video-making software at Kaplan University. You’ve probably seen an Animoto video, but may not have known what it was. Animoto 30-second videos are free for everyone. Longer videos are free for educators if you apply. The first step is to log into Animoto at http://animoto.com and click get started. I recommend setting up a free account, then applying for the unlimited education code. The education code lasts for six-months at a time, then you’ll receive an email telling you it’s time to renew. Renewing is a one-click process. Once you have an Animoto account, you can begin.
Now I’m a “keep it simple” kind of gal, so I stick with what I know. There are umpteen Animoto styles to choose from, but I primarily use the original. Don’t be a stick-in-the mud like me; branch out and try the different styles to find what works best for you.
Here are a couple of examples of Animoto videos that I’ve put together. Now that you’ve seen some examples, let’s discuss creating your own Animoto videos!
Step one is to collect your images. Because the Fair Use exemption does not apply to us at Kaplan University, I mostly use screenshots, images I have created myself, or images from .gov resources to avoid the domain, copyright, and royalty issues. For example, each military branch maintains a photo repository, and all the images in the military repositories are in the public domain. I have included the links to two other “safe” image resources on the last “Webliography” slide. The easiest way to capture screenshots is by using your computer’s print screen button. Some computers need you to click Ctrl + or Alt + or Fn + “PRT SC” Once you’ve captured the screen, I use Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot into MS Paint, which is under Accessories on most computers. In paint, I can resize the image, draw on or add text to the image, cut out a portion of the image, or edit or alter the image in many other ways. Save all the images you want to use in your movie to your computer. I usually put mine temporarily on the desktop where they’re easy to get to.
Step two is to upload your images.
Once you have uploaded your images, you can drag and drop them into whatever order you choose, add text, and spotlight the most important slides. The “Spotlight” slides are indicated by a yellow border.
Step three is to choose music! Again, to avoid domain, copyright, and royalty issues—and in the spirit of keeping it simple--I generally choose music from the Animoto collection. However, I have also recorded my own voice using Audacity to narrate a presentation. (But voice recordings are another topic altogether.) When choosing music, I also avoid songs (music with words) that might distract from the content of the presentation, rather than adding to it.
The Animoto collection has music subdivided into genres, and you can spend all day clicking through and listening to samples. I try to mix up the genres I use, as different types of music appeal to different students.
After you have chosen your music, save it and continue to step four.
Step four is to customize your video. I’ve been quite happy with the default settings, but again, don’t be afraid to explore.
Lastly, you have the option to name and describe your video.
And Animoto does the rest. After a few minutes (usually less than five) the screen will refresh and you will receive an email that your video is ready for viewing.
If you aren’t happy with how the video turned out, editing is a breeze. Click the “Video Toolbox “ (indicate button).
From the toolbox, you can choose what to do next with your video. If I am not satisfied with the video, I’ll generally edit or remix it. If I am satisfied with the video, I’ll generally share it by email and embed the video in an announcement.
There are two ways to email a video. You can enter all the email addresses at the Animoto website, or you can enter your KU email address. When the video arrives in your KU inbox, you can forward it to anyone.
At the beginning of each term, I create a MS Word file with all my students’ email addresses in it. Students’ alternate emails are available in Instructor Concerns through the class roster (indicate icons). This way all I have to do is cut and paste all the addresses into the BCC line. I usually embed the video somewhere PLUS email the video to students’ email addresses.
An embed code is like a glorified URL or link. The only approved place to embed video in the KU course platform is in an announcement. To embed an Animoto video, simply choose your size (indicate the drawdown menu) then copy and paste the code from Animoto into an announcement.
This is an example of what students see when they open my welcome message. The video (in small size) is at the top.
What questions do you have about Animoto, before I move on to Xtranormal?
Xtranormal is free, just like Animoto. Sign up is a snap, too.
To make an Xtranormal movie, start by choosing the theme, called a Showpak, and one or two actors. I consistently use Robotz as my theme, having created a robot named Wiley as my research assistant. If you want to present the video as a conversation (between faculty and student, between student and student, etc.), then choose 2 Actors. If you want to present the video as a host speaking directly to an audience, then choose 1 Actor.
I usually type my script in MS Word to get an idea of how I want the video to go before I start. To begin, enter the script for each speaker (indicate the speaker icons). After you’ve finished entering the script, you have two options. Option one is MAGICAM (indicate icon). MAGICAM will create the action for you, and it usually turns out quite nice. In this example, you can see where I directed the action myself (indicate action icons).
The camera icon allows you to preview and select points of view. The walking man icon allows you to preview and select gestures.
The winking icon allows you to alter the characters’ expressions. The googly-eyed icon causes the characters to look directly into the camera. The pointing hand icon causes the characters to gesture in a certain direction.
The pause icon allows you to stop the action for two periods (short and medium). The sound icon allows you to insert special-effects type sounds.
Once you’ve completed the scene, the script, and the action, you can preview your video (indicate Action button).
Just like Animoto (but in my experience Xtranormal takes a little longer—up to 15 minutes), your video will render. When finished, you can review and revise as many times as necessary. (Indicate play button and drag bar.) When you are satisfied with the video, click “It’s a Wrap!” (Indicate lower right corner.)
Lastly, name and describe your video. You can sort your videos into series, and you can even give them ratings.
Once published, you will have to option to email (indicate share button) or embed (indicate code) the same as Animoto. Again, I try to cover all my bases by embedding the video PLUS emailing it to students’ email addresses.
What questions do you have about Xtranormal, before I move on to Masher?
Masher is free, just like Animoto and Xtranormal. Sign up is a snap, too.
Step one should be familiar by now: upload your photos, videos, and music (or sound recording).
Step two is to head to the studio (indicate icon). In the studio, you can see your uploads, as well as the videos, music, etc. provided by Masher. The Masher interface is just drag and drop. Drag your pictures effects, text, etc. into the order you want them. When you’re finished, click Save then View or Share. You will have the to option to email or embed (indicate code) the same as Animoto and Xtranormal.
What questions do you have about Masher, before I move on to Google Videos?
Google videos (indicate icon) allows users to search all online videos, including You Tube.
Here are the results of a basic search on renewable vs. non renewable energy. On the left, you can use the menu to further narrow the options.
Once you’ve found a video to meet your needs, click the embed icon to see if you can use it in your online classroom. If the person or organization who uploaded the video has given permission for folks to use the video, you will find the embed icon works. If permission has NOT been given, then the embed link will not work. This example is from You Tube. The embed code is easy to find (indicate icon), but sometimes one has to hunt for it. Enable the privacy-enhanced mode, if it’s available to prevent You Tube from placing cookies on your and your students’ computers. And make sure you uncheck “include related videos”. Every video service has different features, so you’ll want to explore them before embedding your video. You also have the option to email the video, just like Animoto, Xtranormal, and Masher. I usually email the videos to student’s personal and KU emaill address AND post them in announcements because some students never check their KU email or never read the announcements.
What questions do you have about searching videos? Any other questions?