Tips for Successful Student-Created Videos

Today’s Topic:
Tips for Successful Student-Created Videos
Tech Tip: Convert Word 2007 Files With Zamzar
  • What are the “must-know” tips to create effective digital videos?

  • Are there some ready-made digital video lessons to implement easily at the end of the school year?

  • Where can I find an effective rubric to use when evaluating student video projects?

Ten Tips for Capturing Great Video
The Apple Computer staff provides a checklist of ten important things to consider when shooting a video.

Windows XP: Get Started With Windows Movie Maker
The staff at Microsoft has developed an online “how to” center for using Movie Maker to edit and add titles to digital videos.

iMovie HD Support
The Apple in Education site provides detailed support for how to work with video clips, titles, special effects and audio files in iMovie HD.

Digital Kids Club
The Adobe Software staff has created a variety of digital video lessons with step-by-step instructions accompanied by screen shots.

Video Project Rubric
UW-Stout’s Joan Vandervelde has created an excellent rubric to use when evaluating student video projects.

Tech Tip – Convert Word 2007 Files With Zamzar
The new .docx file format used by Microsoft Word 2007 is not compatible with earlier versions of Word. When a colleague sends you a Word 2007 file, it may be difficult to open that file if you only have Word 2003 on your computer. However, the Zamzar Web site now offers free file conversions from .docx to .doc files which are recognized by previous versions of Word.

Simply go to the Zamzar Web site and follow the four easy steps to convert your files. The converted files are sent to your email address. You can also use Zamzar to shrink audio and video files to more manageable sizes.

Announcements
Are you looking for a graduate course to meet your recertification requirements in 2007?
Sign up for summer session soon. List of summer online courses.Registration closes ten days before the course start date to allow time for assigning user names, passwords, and university email accounts.

What Our Students Are Saying…
About the Digital Media and Visual Literacy course:

"This course was exactly what I wanted and needed. I signed up for it simply to move my teaching career in a new direction: multimedia journalism. I am happy with this class and very happy that it met my expectations."
~ Instructor, Madison Area Technical College, Madison, Wisconsin- Madison, Wisconsin

"If you want to make quality video productions, this is the class for you. Make some time in your busy schedule to take this important and necessary step to better videos."
~ Educational Technologist from Ohio

"What I liked best was that this class answered questions that I would never have known to ask...in other words, it enlightened me to what I actually needed to know about video in order to not only use it more effectively, but teach it!"
~ Art, Computer Art, Video Production Teacher - Wurzburg, Germany

Call University of Wisconsin-Stout Online Professional Development (715) 642-0209 if you have questions. UW-Stout is an "international-student- friendly" program.


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posted by Karen Franker, Editor @ 5/15/2007 12:16:00 PM  

Incorporating iPods and Handheld Devices


Today’s Topic:
Incorporating iPods and Handheld Devices
Tech Tip: Create Easy and Attractive Newsletters With LetterPop!


  • How are iPods and other handheld learning devices energizing teaching and learning?

  • What are some examples of effective integration of mobile learning tools?

  • Where can educators find high-quality podcasts to use with students?

Handheld Devices Make Inroads in the Classroom
The Glencoe/McGraw-Hill staff describes the advantages, benefits and uses of personal digital assistants (PDAs) in the classroom, and gives examples of innovative K-12 projects.

Elementary School Students Become Podcasting Pros
The Apple Education staff describes how third/fourth grade teacher Bob Sprankle ‘s students enthusiastically produce their own podcasts and strengthen reading, writing and research skills.

Learning in Hand: Find Podcasts
Educator Tony Vincent has compiled a list of the best podcast directories for educators to use with students and for professional development.

Integrating MP3 Players in the Classroom
Brad Niessen lists 23 creative ideas for using MP3 players: including creating audio study guides, practicing guided reading and assessing students’ reading skills. The site also includes a podcast with more details about educational uses of MP3 players.

Podcast Rubric
UW-Stout instructor Ann Bell has created a succinct rubric which evaluates seven aspects of podcasts: introduction, content, delivery, interview, graphic and music enhancements, technical production, and group/partner work.

Tech Tip – Create Easy and Attractive Newsletters With LetterPop!
It’s now easy to create free, professional-looking newsletters with attractive graphics and fancy fonts using LetterPop! online. Choose from 24 drag-and-drop template designs and add your own text and photos (free registration required). Just click in the box under Start Here to name and create a sample newsletter. You may email your completed newsletter or print it from the Website.

What Our Students Are Saying...
About the online course Learning Applications for the iPod® and Handheld Computers:

What was the most meaningful and useful to you about this course…

“This was the best on-line class I have taken. The instructor gave positive feedback on the lessons and the class discussions were always pertinent. The creation of the audio podcast was most relevant to me. I found this is something I will be able to use right away with my students."
~Elementary School Information Specialist - DoDDS Schools at RAF Alconbury, United Kingdom

“…I think my confidence level in working with this type of technology has increased ten-fold. I also feel that the format of posting was invaluable, due to the incredible resources of the class. You did a marvelous job of organizing a class that kept our interest and made us want to exceed our own expectations. My perception of the use of digital media has changed drastically. My students will greatly benefit, because I now am enthusiastic and excited about using this technology, and I will try new things, which in turn will increase their enthusiasm and motivation.”
~Kindergarten and High School Drama Teacher from Wisconsin

“I really enjoyed the mix of students from all over the world--what a great opportunity to hear about what else is going on outside the US. We are often so isolated, even though we have the greatest communications systems!"
~ CESA Program Director - Green Bay, Wisconsin

Call University of Wisconsin-Stout Online Professional Development
(715) 642-0209 if you have questions. UW-Stout is an "international-student- friendly" program.






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posted by Karen Franker, Editor @ 2/05/2007 10:08:00 PM