Posts Tagged ‘video’

Create a VoiceThread with Sue Woodruff

Susan Woodruff is an independent professional developer and active member of the International SIM Network. She recently began experimenting with VoiceThread and ways to apply this collaborative tool to education. Read her experience below.

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As I was playing around on the Internet and doing some web surfing the other day, I found an interesting application. Actually, it is the one I’ve been looking for (not all that hard) for almost a year. For a SIM professional developer, instructional coach, students, and teachers alike, I think the only limits of it are our own creativity. Let me start back about a year ago when my son came home from his Advanced College Calculus class. He was a sophomore last year in college, and he had always done well in math. Last year, however, the course was much more challenging. In about the second or third week of school, he came home all excited and wanted to show me how his professor was going to work with her students who had questions. He got online and went to a website. There he was able to access a video she had recorded where she worked through a problem mentally and modeled her problem solving process. Stephen said it was incredibly helpful. What he liked was that he could access it multiple times. Anytime he was doing homework and felt “stuck” he had access to his professor’s thinking by going to that website.

Back to the present…as I was goofing off and procrastinating the other day, I found a short article and demonstration of a VoiceThread. It is actually an online free website that can be used for teaching, collaborating, coaching, nearly anything that you can think of. Documents, videos, pictures, and nearly any other type of document can be uploaded to the site. The creator of a voice thread can comment on it while annotating through a webcam, microphone, or text. Once it is uploaded, others can be invited to view it, or it can be put on the website to be viewed by the public. It is quite simple to learn, and it is actually quite fun after you get used to looking at yourself on the videocamera. I did find that I had to switch my Adobe Flash settings on my Mac, so if you have any trouble recording, check those. I would love to collaborate with a few of you who might want to work on a presentation of something. The VoiceThread is so interactive that it almost feels like someone is there. For only $60 per year, you can buy a subscription that allows you to use a lot more features of the site. My mind is generating all kinds of great ways this could be used. Please check out voicethreads.com, and let us know what you think about it and if you have any great ideas for using it. I’ve made a VoiceThread just for you to check out. If you are brave, take a moment and respond with a note in the following VoiceThread. OK?

-Sue

Interested in writing an article for the Stratepedia blog? Just email Aaron or Amber with your ideas at help@stratepedia.org.

By Amber Nutt | September 1st, 2010 | View Comments

Three reasons to try ScreenFlow today

ScreenFlow is screencasting software for Mac that allows you to capture and edit an activity or process all on your desktop. I recently started using it to create tutorials and here’s why.

1. Its easy to learn. I followed along with these short tutorials and started working quickly after. (Click the All column to view all tutorials at once.) ScreenFlow has an easy-to-navigate interface and just the right amount of options.

2. Its relatively inexpensive. While a ScreenFlow license runs around $99.00, no additional equipment is necessary. The software works well with the built-in microphone and video camera on your computer. Unsure if ScreenFlow is for you? Test the trial-run out for free.

3. You can produce professional-looking videos in a short amount of time. ScreenFlow allows you to zoom in on specific area and import existing video that wasn’t shot using ScreenFlow. You can also add text, music, and record your own narration.

By Amber Nutt | August 18th, 2010 | View Comments

How (and why) to storyboard on the quick and cheap

To follow up on Amber’s post on storyboarding last week, as well as Dave’s post on involving your designer/production crew early (and often), here’s a short video further explaining the purpose and practice of storyboarding. Give it a quick view, then read on:

What’s the moral? Here are four:

Storyboarding is not just for video. Even though this clip is talking about and demonstrating video production, storyboarding applies to presentations (read: slides), computer-based instruction, websites, and software–anything with some sort of visual component. The problem is that in a lot of cases people trained to create slides, CBI, websites, and software haven’t always been trained in how to sketch out ideas before getting out the power tools. There’s nothing wrong with making some rough sketches to make sure you can convey your ideas to others.
Storyboarding is not technically difficult. You don’t need to be an artist to storyboard, and you don’t need special software. The point is you need to get visual ideas out of your head and onto a piece of paper or computer screen so the people you’re working with can see your vision. (Even if you’re working solo, storyboards can help you think about mechanics and practicality before you begin shooting video or designing slides or multimedia.)
Storyboarding reduces frustration for you and for your designer/developer. Scott Berkun, in Making Things Happen (O’Reilly and Associates, 2008), points out that if an idea can’t be drawn, it probably can’t be created. Keep in mind that when it comes to your content or subject matter, most likely you are the expert, not the designer or programmer you’re asking to make a product from it. I’ll speak for designers and developers everywhere when I say there’s not much more frustrating than getting a request to read your boss’ mind, then getting criticized for not having extrasensory powers. At worst, feelings get hurt or jobs get lost. The good news is the worst case scenario isn’t the norm, but the bad news is that time has still been wasted and other projects may be put on hold so you can do a second round at testing your designer’s ESP. Don’t do that.
Learn from the pros, but don’t feel like you have to emulate them. The best description and example of storyboarding I’ve ever seen is in Chuck Jones: Extremes and In-Betweens–a Life in Animation. You may recognize Mr. Jones’ name if you grew up on Looney Toons cartoons like many of us did. In the video, he demonstrates how a classic cartoon began, including all of the steps of production (including storyboarding). It was a much better example of the practice than anything I saw in either journalism school or my instructional design program. The video is not available online, but you can add it to your queue if you’re a Netflix subscriber or consult your local library.

By Aaron Sumner | August 9th, 2010 | View Comments

What is a storyboard?

A storyboard is a graphic organizer that acts as a road map to aid with planning and visualization during a project. It originated, with Walt Disney Studios, as a way to sketch out scenes in sequential order before production began on an animated movie. While there are several templates available to download online, a pack of index cards can actually go a long way. Start by placing each topic or “scene” on an index card and then tack them to a wall or bulletin board. The index cards can be omitted or rearranged throughout the planning process as you see fit.

By Amber Nutt | August 5th, 2010 | View Comments

How to legally rip DVDs for educational use

Yesterday the United States Copyright Office decreed that it is no longer illegal to “rip” a DVD for educational purposes. Ripping is the process of capturing the video on the disc and converting it to a computer file, for playback on a computer. According to the decision, you will be allowed to use these video files for education, documentary filmmaking, or the making of noncommercial videos. In the past, companies that distributed video via DVD have argued that software that circumvents copy protection mechanisms are illegal. That argument has been struck down.

Disclaimer: We’re not attorneys. Some people with more understanding of the law are saying the “noncommercial videos” clause extends beyond use in higher education, but if you or your attorney don’t agree, then don’t do this.

So how do you rip a DVD? My best answer is to get to know Handbrake, a cross-platform, full-featured tool for saving video from DVDs into the format of your choice. I wrote about Handbrake a couple of years ago, with the caveat that you couldn’t legally use it to rip encrypted DVDs. Now, of course, you can.

The Handbrake interface can be confusing, but the magic lies in the presets provided with the software. Each preset has its own advantages and disadvantages–the one you should use will depend on your application. I use Apple Universal most of the time; it gives me a high-quality file that can be used on most Apple devices (as well as in slide presenations if you’re presenting from a Mac). The Basic preset should work for just about any application. If you feel the need to get fancy with settings, check out this walkthrough of Handbrake’s settings (screen shots are on a Mac, but they generally apply to Windows as well).

Handbrake is a community-driven, open source project–so some documentation isn’t up to date. Also, if you’re using a newer Mac with a 64-bit processor, you need to jump through a couple of hoops to install a version that will take full advantage of your computer’s horsepower. Although documentation may be sparse, the Handbrake user community can be very helpful if you ask detailed questions.

If that’s too complicated, try a commercial DVD ripping application–check your favorite local computer store to see your options.

By Aaron Sumner | July 27th, 2010 | View Comments

5 more ways to improve your video conferencing experience

Since I accidentally posted this week’s Friday Five on Thursday, I figured I’d give you a few bonus tips. This time, instead of the technical stuff, I want to mention etiquette. Here are some quick tips:

1. Check your equipment ahead of time

iChat, Skype, Adobe Connect, and pretty much every tool for video conferencing has a setup assistant to make sure your camera, microphone, and speakers are working. Take advantage of it to make sure all systems are go, instead of wasting precious meeting minutes on technical details.

2. Don’t cold-call

This is a personal pet peeve of mine–I hate it when someone tries to make an unscheduled video call with me without sending me a quick instant message to ask if it’s OK. The person you’re trying to call may be in a meeting or otherwise not in an ideal situation to make a call.

Along these lines, make sure you set your status message accordingly if you’re busy or stepping out of your office. I’ll admit, I’m not always the greatest at remembering that. If you see the party you want to call is busy, check back later or send an e-mail to schedule a time to meet.

3. Don’t talk over the other person

Audio technology that allows for two-way calls is getting better, but if you’re having problems with lots of echo in your conversation, try speaking one at a time. That will usually help.

4. Don’t yell!

Video conferencing equipment is pretty good these days; you don’t need to speak any louder than you normally would to be heard (especially if you’re using a headset, as I recommended yesterday). In fact, if you’re having echo cancellation problems, yelling will probably just make things worse.

5. Don’t forget, you’re on camera

Keep smiling, don’t stuff a sandwich in your mouth, don’t pick your nose, don’t check your phone, don’t walk away from the camera–even if you don’t think you’re on camera, be on your best behavior–you never know when you’ll accidentally forget to turn it off.

Looking for more tips? The New York Times ran a story on video conferencing etiquette a couple of years ago.

Image: Ann Douglas on Flickr

By Aaron Sumner | July 16th, 2010 | View Comments

5 ways to improve video conference quality

Surprise! This week’s Friday Five comes a day early!

Today Amber is presenting a poster covering our work with technology for distance coaching at the 2010 SIM Conference. We’ve learned a lot about things that work and things that still only work in the movies. Fortunately, as each year passes more and more of what used to just be possible with Hollywood special effects becomes possible with your computer and a broadband Internet connection. Here are some tips we’ve learned to help maximize your next video conferencing experience.

For the sake of this discussion, when I refer to video conferencing tools I’m talking about software you’d use on your computer like iChat or Skype; I’m also including desktop conferencing tools like Adobe Connect since they have video features in them as well. The rules for using high-end video conferencing equipment like you’d see on university campuses or fancy boardrooms are a little different, but if you’ve got access to that kind of equipment you’ve probably also got access to a technician who can help you conduct successful video conferences with it. These tips are designed more for people using computers with basic (often built-in) video cameras to connect with other parties using similar equipment.

1. Use a headset

The quality of built-in audio correction (audio level adjustment, echo cancellation, etc.) varies from conferencing tool to conferencing tool. If you’ve made software adjustments as suggested by your conferencing package you find the party you’re conferencing with is still having trouble hearing you or you’re having issues with echo or feedback, you may need to invest in a headset. These don’t need to be expensive–there are models under $20 that will work just fine (Mac users, I’ve personally had much better luck going with USB headsets as opposed to analog ones that plug into the regular headphone and microphone jacks). As long as you get the microphone a little closer to the sound source (that is, you) and keep audio that causes echoing (that is, the other party) away from the mic, you should be in business.

I will mention that there are a variety of speakerphones designed to work with video conferencing tools–I’ve had mixed results with these.

2. Position your camera properly

This isn’t as big of an issue as it used to be, with most laptops made in the last couple of years featuring a built-in camera for video conferencing. If you’ve got an external camera, though, or you use your laptop on your lap, take a few minutes to adjust the placement. Nobody wants to see up your nose, frankly, and watching the side of your head while you talk isn’t ideal, either. If at all possible, place your camera in close proximity to your friend’s video feed. That will make it look like you’re looking directly into the camera when you’re talking. This video explains camera placement.

Another tip: If you can, limit the background movement behind you. Not only will this reduce distraction, but it may well result in better video compression quality. The less extraneous movement that has to be updated on your computer and sent to the other party, the more focus can be put on you and the quality of your audio and video. This article has a bit more information about video compression, if you’re interested.

3. Improve your lighting

Do your video conferences leave you feeling blue? Or just looking blue? Cheer up, it could just be your lighting setup. There are several steps you can take to make sure video conferencing cameras (relatively cheap by camera standards) present you in the best light possible. (OK, enough puns.) Lighting blog Strobist has a great list of tips for improving your lighting. Many of these steps are easy to take–sometimes all it takes is a change of your shirt.

4. Mind your bandwidth

There’s no getting around it–video conferencing takes a lot of bandwidth. If you’re experiencing dropped connections, lag, drops in audio or video, or any other general inconsistencies in quality, bandwidth quality is likely to blame. If possible, shut down any applications that may be competing for bandwidth. This includes your e-mail client, unnecessary web browser windows, streaming radio stations, your favorite YouTube video playing in the background, file transfers, etc.

Next, if you can, plug your computer into a wired network connection. As fast as today’s wireless networks are, wired connections are still faster. And keep in mind that all things labeled broadband or high-speed Internet are not created equal. You cable or DSL connection may not be sufficient if you subscribe to a base package with lower download and upload speeds. If you’re on a hotel or coffee shop wireless network you may have good luck with a video conference, or you may not. And if you use a satellite Internet connection–sometimes the only way to get online in rural areas–you’re out of luck. The technique used by satellites to transfer packets of information to and from your computer isn’t really suitable for applications like video conferencing that require a steady stream of communication. (Note that I’m writing this in July, 2010; future developments in satellite technology and/or video compression techniques could of course change this.)

5. Start with the basics

One last tip: Today’s video conferencing tools have tons of features to let you share your computer screen, swap files back and forth, show videos, and connect to multiple people at once. These are all useful features, but trying to use them all on your first try can be a recipe for disaster. Start small–try a one-on-one video conference with a friend, and just shoot the breeze for a few minutes. The next time you meet online, try a new feature, then another, then another. There’s no rush!

Photo: Apple, Inc.

By Aaron Sumner | July 15th, 2010 | View Comments

Announcing the Distance Coaching Technology project

As some of you may know, Amber and I have spent the last year experimenting with technology to assist with the instructional coaching process. There are still some rough edges to our process, but we’re ready to share what we’ve got so far. Keeping with our belief that we can get the best bang for our buck with consumer-oriented technology, we’re putting Macintosh computers with iChat to use with Flip cameras to allow teachers to record video, then share it at a scheduled time with a coach or mentor. We’ve created the Distance Coaching Technology website to share our plan and best practices we’ve come across.

We just launched a project with the Michigan Department of Education to use this technology in a Striving Readers project. A few times per semester, teachers will connect via iChat to share and discuss video clips in a secure online environment. Using iChat’s built-in iChat Theater feature, participants are able to watch the same clip at the same time–it’s like sitting together watching a video tape on a VCR, but they happen to be 1,000 miles away from each other instead of on the same couch.

We’ve also developed a little utility to help optimize video clips from Flip cameras for better use with online streaming. After a round of testing we’ll share this tool on the new website. As new developments occur in this area, both in terms of technology and best practices, we’ll share them on the site.

Check out our Distance Coaching Technology website and let us know what you think! We’ll also be happy to talk about the project next month at the SIM Conference in Lawrence.

Image: Apple, Inc.

By Aaron Sumner | June 22nd, 2010 | View Comments

Mac users: Try organizing Flip videos with iPhoto

Flip cameras come equipped with built-in software, FlipShare, that offers several tools allowing you to edit and personalize your movie clips. While it works for some, others may want something a little simpler that works a lot faster. iPhoto is already installed on most Macs and boasts an easy-to-use interface. Here’s how to get started:

1. Plug the Flip camera into your laptop using the built-in USB arm.
2. Wait for the camera to turn on and the Flip icon to appear on the desktop, but don’t open it.
3. Open iPhoto instead.
4. iPhoto will ask if you’d like to always use this application when you connect your Flip camera. Select Yes for iPhoto to open automatically in the future when downloading Flip footage. These settings can also be changed in iPhoto > Preferences > General, then select which application to open when this camera is connected to the computer.

5. Start importing video clips and iPhoto will automatically keep them organized for you. Videos can also be easily transferred to iTunes or iDVD.

By Amber Nutt | June 16th, 2010 | View Comments

What’s new in the iPhone 4? Watch this video to find out

Apple’s announcement of the iPhone 4 is old news by now, but if you haven’t seen it yet, check out this promotional video from Apple showing off some of the new phone’s features. I’m looking forward to trying FaceTime video conferencing and the improved camera in person, how about you?

By Aaron Sumner | June 14th, 2010 | View Comments