You probably have selected “Upload from your computer.” Save your images to desktop (easier to grab and import). You are now in the first step of Animoto: Images, and you have a grid on which you can arrange and rearrange your images by dragging and dropping. If you get confused, look at the right side where you will see information on Images and tips for the section.

After your images upload, you can add text by selecting the “Add Text” option on the bottom. The way you save your work when you are in “Images” is to click the “done” button on the bottom right. That saves your work.

If you have to leave (end of class) and you want to return to your work, this is how you retrieve your work. Login. Go to “Create Video.” You will get this message in a yellow banner. Notice that you can see the images (text is there too) that you had uploaded in your last session. Click CLOSE. IF for some reason you do NOT see your images, DON’T PANIC. Click on the word Images on the left side and your images will appear.

If you want to add more text than Animoto will let you put on the two text lines, you can make a PowerPoint text slide. After your slide is done, you want to make a screenshot. You do that by using “Shift” + Apple key + 4 (not the F4, just the number 4). This screen shot will show up on your desktop as Picture 1 (if it’s the first screen shot you have taken). Now you can upload the PP text slide by dragging and dropping it, or you can go to “Add More” and add your new slide.

Don’t forget to check your rubric (you were given a copy, but it is also linked on my website, English 11, November, right under the two sample videos) for the “effects” you need to add. Very simple: just select the images you want to “spotlight,” click on that image, and then click “spotlight.” The images that have a yellow frame around them will be highlighted and play more than the not highlighted images. If you look closely, you will notice that images 3 and 4 need rotating to straighten them. Click the “rotate” button on the bottom till your picture looks normal. When you are finished with your images and text, click “DONE.” You will be taken to this screen:
Now you are ready for the second step: adding music. You can select from Animoto’s collection (they actually have some decent music) or you can add your own. Your music must be in an mp3 file format.

A good free music site is freeplaymusic or you can Google “free music” and get dozens of sites, or you can pull music from your iTunes account. Or you can create your own music in GarageBand. If you find the music you want and it is not in an mp3 format but is in an ac3, for example, you will need to convert the music file at www.zamzar.com. The process is very simple, but you need to give Zamzar a real email that you can access (your school gmail? or gaggle?) because they will send you the download link for your converted file via email. It may take a while, so be patient.

If you select your music from Animoto’s collection, you will get a screen that looks like this: One benefit of using Animoto’s music is that you have one less link to add to your list of urls. At this point you need to click “save and continue,” and you will be brought to the next screen.

You need to do several things in this third section where you finalize your video. Choose which speed you want to your video to play (1/2, normal is in the center, and 2x–don’t recommend the last one), select your video cover screen, and then click “continue.” You are now at the end, and you need to add some information. Your finished screen should something like this slide.

Now you need to click the “create video” button, and you will be taken to the “Processing, Analyzing, and Rendering” screen. At this point your video is in the Animoto cue and is slowly working its way to being a finished movie.

You will not see your video until is it mixed and done, but if you do not like the mix you got, you can do a “1-click remix.”

The LAST STEP of this assignment is to get your movie trailer to your blog with the urls + image name.

Let’s start with getting your video to your blog. To get your code, you need to “play” your video, so go to “My Videos” and “play” your video. At the bottom right of your video (which is playing), you will see a blue “Video Toolbox.” Click on the video toolbox. Then, click on “Embed,” select the smallest size (432 x 240), and copy the code.

Then, go to your blog’s dashboard, “post,” “add new,” and click the html tab. You MUST be in html or your video won’t work. After you add your code for your video, while YOU ARE STILL IN HTML, copy/paste your urls + image name. If you want to see a great sample of a finished product, please go to Alison Nadraw’s blog (Alison, please remove the : after by).

If you have questions, you can Skype me or gmail me over the weekend.

IU Video(low quality) from megan heverly on Vimeo.

While SnagIt works on PCs and our school uses Macs, most of us go home, like me, to a PC that I love and use. So, for those of you who use PCs, SnagIt just might be your ticket for a wonderful way to snag your desktop and make your next great video tutorial for your students or just capture daily life in snapshots that you want to showcase differently. For a great quick overview of SnagIt, click this link.
SnagIt
Screen Capture
SnagIt Screen Capture
PC
Screen Capture Software
Online tag generator

Watch this super short video and see if adding Zemanta to you blog works for you.  I’ve been using it for at least a year, perhaps more, and really like the features.  One word of advice: preview the articles before you add them as related.  Ditto for links.  MANTRA = PREVIEW, PREVIEW, PREVIEW!!!

Zemanta in 60 Seconds from zemanta on Vimeo.

For additional Vimeo videos about Zemanta, check related videos.

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Guest bloggers: Brett Harvey and the Discovery Student Adventures team.

Making Connections

Saturday, August 15, 2009

What has stood out more than anything on our China trip is the students’ strong desire to connect with other people. They wanted to know the people we encountered whether it was our tour guides, the Shaolin monks or classroom children at kung fu school. At our next to last dinner the kids were thrilled when the young monks and school instructors ate with us. More than anything they enjoyed finding common ground. They also learned how life is different. Truly a rewarding experience for me as a teacher.
Posted by Harv at 11:30 AM

Discovery Student Adventures China ‘09

Friday, August 14, 2009

Posted by Discovery Student Adventures at 10:30 PM

Discovery Student Adventures Travel
China
#dsac09
Brett Harvey
Discovery Student Adventures Team
Turbo Tagger

Kudos to Team China! We worked incredibly hard over the past three days preparing for our kung fu performance at the Shaolin Temple. The group was told on Tuesday that we would perform in front of students from the Shao Lin Martial Arts School and Warrior Monks. That was all the motivation Discovery Students and Teachers needed. We had to perform with precision and perfect execution. Would we succeed?

Two days into preparation it became apparent that kung fu is a lot easier than it looks. Many of us could of used a hot tub and a good masseuse. Trying to memorize the routine was like cramming for an economics test at the last minute. Not easy! Mr. Harvey and some boys were found in the lobby with a digital camera going through each step with the master trainer as they watched on video. You could observe many students and teachers off to the side practicing their form as they waited for their rotation. To complicate matters, some of our trainers were Shao Lin Temple Martial Arts students and some were Shaolin Temple Warrior Monks. The routine was similar, however some rights became lefts and some kicks became punches. (BTW, say “Warrior Monks” out loud… then add the words “Kung Fu.” Sounds so cool!)

Half way through the process, Mama Ping recognized that Team China needed a break. She arranged a performance from some of the students at the school. Their discipline and execution were flawless. The students at the Shao Lin Temple of Martial Arts put on a show that both impressed and energized Discovery Students and Teachers! Thank you Mama Ping. Would ten total hours of training, hard work, sweat and patience pay off?

On the final day of kung fu training we received our Certificate of Shaolin Kung Fu Experience. We had to perform in front of two Warrior Monks to earn our certificate. This would be the first of two times I would feel nerves in my stomach. Three hours later, it was time for us to execute with precision and grace in front of our audience. We lined up in four rows. It was a surreal experience standing in front of the experts. The nerves kicked in for a split second. Then, I realized our performance wasn’t about perfection. It was about celebrating achievements. Each group of students from Discovery, Shaolin Temple, and Shao Lin Martial Arts School took turns singing, dancing, and performing kung fu. The night was a party and applause sounded throughout the building!

All three groups rose to the occasion. There was a sense of community and you could see the bond between children, teachers and staff. Discovery Students performed the entire routine like true kung fu masters. What really made the show special was the sense of accomplishment and collaboration. Students embraced in hugs and high fives were everywhere!

Kung Fu isn’t just karate, it to is an art and a lesson in life and Chinese culture. Posted by Adam Controy at 10:38 PM 4 comments

Discovery Student Adventures Travel
#dsac09
China
Shaolin Temple Martial Arts Students
Warrior Monks
Kung Fu
Turbo Tagger