Video Methods

Today Mike showed us a few ways of how to create videos with our students using an online version and an application on our computers. This first method he taught us was using the Photo Story.

Photo Story- This method is used in a lot in schools because lots of schools have Windows computers and it is a free method from microsoft. This method does not work for Mac computers but not very many schools have switched to Mac computers yet.
This method is very easy to handle and get to. Go to your start button and click all programs and under Education Apps there is "Photo Story 3".
To start making your video follow these simple steps:
-Import Pictures
-Pick your photos you would like to use (Can arrange photos at any order at the bottom of the page and can rotate, crop, add effects, Black or white, Water color)
-This program shows that you have edited your photos at the bottom of each
-Save each photo after any editing so you do not lose any thing
-You can add a title by typing in the tittle on the side textbox
-Place the tittle where ever you think it looks good (Top, Middle, Bottom)
-You can have the students record or tell a story as the photos play by
-Different music is set up on the side so you can theme it to your video
-Can test the music out before you chose it
-Save it under desktop so we can find it easier and to play it
-View your story to see what it looks like before you publish it
-Publish it when you are ready!

The next video method Mike taught us today was an online version called Animoto.com. I used this version because I found it very quick and easy to use without knowing too much about computers and the internet.
You can sign up for this FREE account by going to their website and choosing only to use the 30 second video. If you wish to make longer videos you can purchase a different method but for the students I would get everyone to sign up for the free version. Here they have different themes that you may choose for your background. The themes that have the word "Pro" on them can only be used if you have a paying account. This website had tones of different holiday backgrounds and are great for the student to make different gifts for holidays and for their paretns or guardians. Follow these steps to create your video:
-Chose theme and open it up to create your video
-Upload your own photos to save on copy write and they also provide some photos and stuff for you --Grab your images and change the order around if you need to
-Add a title and a subtitle if you would like
-Create the video and it gives you options for how you would like to share it (facebook, twitter, email etc.)
-It will let you preview the video and then hit produce

Each method was super easy to use and would work great in the classroom for students and would be very useful to use with our society being very technology advanced!!!