Build a better mouse trap and the world may never know about it.

A mouse trap placed on top of your alarm clock will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep

Back some months ago when this blog first began, I had no illusions about having information so important that the world would beat a path to my "digital" door.  Funny thing happened on the way to here though, I began to enjoy it and realize that there was information I could share that would be a resource to other digital media teachers and beneficial to novice media producers wanting to get started.  This left one piece of the puzzle, how do I get the world to take notice?
In the class that I am taking that was the genesis of this blog, we shared methods to drive people to our blogs.  Truly, some of the most simple and possible effective ones, I hadn't considered.  After some reflection I've chosen a couple of methods I think will help me.  I've added my blog address to my email.  I make so many contacts that I think this would have been very beneficial had I done it earlier.  I believe this exposure will pay dividends down the road.  I've also posted the blog address with a brief description on Classroom 2.0 and got almost instant results.  This is a forum where teachers can find other teachers from all over the country and the world for that fact in the same or similar content areas.  Within 1 hour of posting at Classroom 2.0 I had received two replies and both we excited to see the blog......wonderful.
This process has been a truly educational experience for me in several ways.  First it's gotten me out of my digital rut.  I've been using many high end video production software's for some time and just resisted the unknown...i.e. Twitter, blogs and Ning's...O My!  (that was an earlier entry).  Its also helped me see the power of connection.  In my presentation to the class, I said that this had shown me that we are smarter than I.  Well I may have come late to the dance, but I'm going to use these new tools to help build my content knowledge, professional community and resource base.  This can only help my students to see a world of content that is much larger than it would have been without this experience. As Martha Stewart says, "It's a good thing."

Just follow the manual

The secret to getting ahead is getting started

 

Did you ever wonder how to use Photoshop?

Check out these beginner tutorials I am posting on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/user/videoteacher100?feature=mhum

Franken-camera

Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities.

It's a digital camera....it's a camcorder, no its both.  This has been the confusing state of digital image capture devices for the last couple of years.  Remember when digital camcorders starting to be able to record still images to a memory stick?  Trust me this did happen back almost 9 years ago and the image quality was what you'd expect from technology that was from almost a decade ago.  The reason was that still images were not the camcorder's thing, it was all about video. 
The Single Lens Reflex Camera, has been around for decades, stable, very high quality but it cost a lot for film and processing.  Next arrives the Digital Camera, exit film and processing, but lacking the quality of their stodgy old ancestors.  Then the light bulb goes off in the collective minds of both the camcorder and the camera manufacturers .  "We've got all this technology, high resolution sensors and oodles of snappy software, we can do everything!" and they did. 
In the last two years, Canon has produced a digital camera ( Demo Video ) that takes incredible quality HD movies and most of the major camcorder manufacturers finally accessed the true power of their progressive image sensors for razor sharp HD quality stills.  
Holy Crap, do I need a camcorder or a digital camera?  Yes. The truth is for most people either may work fine.  Digital still cameras offer most consumers the option of video as well as stills, although not much available recording time.  Most camcorders can record high quality still images and also offer the possibility to record your daughters dance recital.  If you're a professional the choices get harder.  There are media workflows to consider and where the finished footage will need to end up (on broadcast TV or in someones home DVD player).
The bottom line is that the consumer, the prosumer and the professional have never had more choices at a lower cost than today.  I have people ask me to suggest a camcorder occasionally.  That question merits questions in return.  Do they want to edit their videos?  Do they want to not bother?  Do the need long lenght record times?  There are different consumer camcorders and yes even digital still camera to fit almost every need and price range so whatever your need you're probably in luck.  As we always say in the video production field, "It ain't the gun, its the gunner".  Shoot away!

To repair or not to repair that is the question

If an article is attractive, or useful, or inexpensive, they'll stop making it tomorrow; if it's all three, they stopped making it yesterday.  ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960

I am often asked by friends and associates about their cameras or VCR's or other electric equipment that is not working properly or at all.  "What should I do?" asked one friend when a camcorder didn't display out an image of the flip out screen anymore.  It would still record and she could use the eyepiece, but like me, she found that image too small to be useful. 
Back in the dark days of analogue video equipment, camcorders and all electronics were big, expensive and made to repair.  With the advent of digital electronics, sizes became smaller, units became much cheaper and the ability to repair fell from the realm of reality.  It is simple economics.  If a camcorder costs $400.00 to purchase and 3 years later is stops working properly, most places that will repair it have what is known as a bench charge.  This is the cost for looking at the camcorder and evaluating the problem.  It is not the cost for repairing it.  Most times this will run between $80 and $150, remember this is only to evaluate the problem and whether you choose to fix it or not, you'll pay this amount. 
In the past 7 years, I have never known of anyone who had a consumer piece of electronic equipment repaired out of warranty, it was never feasible.  Should I now start my rant on the evils of a disposable society of conspicuous consumption, should I rail on the sorrow of overflowing landfills and a unsustainable model of  progress.......no. 
These cheaper, smaller electronics are responsible for YouTube and every event that is happening around the world being eye witnessed for everyone to view.  Natural disasters, political upheaval, groin shots.  Its all there 24/7 and we're better for it.  
As to sustainability, there are many outlets for recycling now.  Companies have discovered the precious metals used to manufacture these components can be recovered.  Baby steps, but at some point 100% of the manufacturing process as well as post use recycling will be possible.  Till then we'll keep watching those groin shots and may get some real educational content to boot.

Are you a convert?

"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it."  Mark Twain

Its happened to all of us.  You have a video, audio or image file that you need to convert to some other format for a specific application.  Fortunately today there are several new free software packages that are available to save you time, money and worry!

Lets look at Format Factory.

Format Factory is a free tool that can convert image, video or audio files from one format to another.   It easily converts WMV, AVI, MPG, MP3, WMA, AAC, JPG, PNG, GIF, and many more as well as supporting media formats used by most major portable devices, including PSP and iPhone. 
This alone gives this package great appeal for everyone from the novice hobby person to expert video producer.  While there are several free file converters on the market what sets Format Factory apart is its ability to convert images as well as video and audio.  While the user interface is not very intuitive and it lacks presets that could be helpful, I still recommend using this software.  What can you expect, it’s free after all.  Some of the other outstanding features of this software are:

1.      It supports converting all popular video, audio and image formats to others types of files.

2.      It can repair damaged video and audio file.  Very helpful in certain “o crap” moments.

3.     Format Factory can reduce multimedia file size.  This can really save your beacon by making video easier to play within PowerPoint or other graphic presentation software programs.

4.      It supports iPhone and iPod multimedia file formats.  For those using iPods for instruction this can be a real lifesaver.

5.      Picture converting supports Zoom, Rotate/Flip and tags.  This can really help if you’ve taken pictures using both landscape and portrait orientation and need to use both in your presentation.  You also can zoom in on the portion of the image you really want and get that embarrassing face Uncle Otto is making out of the shot.

6.      Audio Joiner allows you to bring two audio clips together or join them....get it, then convert them to another type of audio file.

7.      It has the ability to be a DVD Ripper.  For school produced videos this can be very helpful if you want to post it to an iPod or other mobile device.

A couple of caveats, first the interface is a bit confusing leading to high frustration level if you’re not familiar with other software packages that convert files.  Being patient is the key here.  Don’t start converting when you’re on a deadline, do it when you have time to experiment and try different settings to get the output that looks and works best for you.  One thing I didn’t like was that the software tries to install a couple of tool bars and shortcuts on your computer, make sure you look at the installation screens before clicking next and uncheck those squares if you don’t want them.   Also be sure your firewall allows the full installation of the program or you may get problems with your conversions.  Also this is only for Windows based computers.  Follow the link below to download your copy.

http://download.cnet.com/FormatFactory/3000-2194_4-10968547.html?tag=mncol;1

Jing....not just a sound

"Success is often the result of taking a misstep in the right direction"

 

How many times have you watched a tutorial or webinar where the speaker was narrating a software package as the action is taking place on the screen?  Step by step, they show you and tell you, only tactile stimulation is missing. Cool huh?  It was probably created by a neat little software package called Camtasia Studio by TechSmith.  It is a great software package, fast, versatile and relatively easy with a little practice to master.  It will also cost you between $100 (Mac version) and $200 (Windows) for the package (yes that's educational pricing). That's not what this blog edition is about.  Its about Jing.
Jing is also offered by TechSmith and its free.......yes its free.  While it offers less function than its expensive cousin, it is a really great tool to place in your educator tool kit that will allow you to create a spectrum of resources for your instruction that students can access anytime.  Of course you'll have to place your tutorials on a school server, CD in the class or on YouTube, but Jing makes all those easy to accomplish.

Below is a link to their website

http://www.techsmith.com/jing/

I won't go into a tutorial here, they have a great one on their website. It only takes minutes to start creating your own educational resources....oh and if you want to show Mom how to use email or Dad what YouTube is all about its great for that as well.  Just FYI, if you try to install it at school make sure you can access it around your school system firewall, your I.T. department can help with this.  Tally Ho!

Bring out the Gimp

Life is like a taxi. The meter just keeps a-ticking whether you are getting somewhere or just standing still.

The time has arrived when I am beginning to post tutorials on a Google site that I have.  I will post updates as new items are added but for the first posting I have created 8 tutorials for using the GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) software.  For those of you who don't know this software think Photoshop, but free!  This is a small free open source program that runs on most computers without issue.  I encourage you to download the software, look over the tutorials, (by the way there are hundreds more on YouTube and all over the internet) and begin creating havoc for your friends and family by turning those old boring photos into incriminating evidence.  Imagine your octogenarian uncle flexing his muscles on Muscle Beach in Venice or your sister walking arm and arm with George Clooney.  If you can imagine it, with enough practice you can do it with GIMP.

Your choice, a beach with strangers or all to yourself.......as far as anyone has to know.  

The practical application for educators is that this software will allow for the creation of slides, graphics, images or other components of any presentation that might need graphic editing.  If there is a picture that represents a concept you want to teach but the image is too dark or there are other elements you wish were or were not in the picture.  No problem!  With a little practice this can become a tool that can help you create eye popping instruction.

Follow the link below to the basic tutorials

https://sites.google.com/site/pchsvideoproduction/tutorials

YouTube and my future 15 mintues of fame

"All you need is ignorance and confidence and the success is sure."

Mark Twain

If you want to know how to do it, its on YouTube..... and so am I.  I never sought this type of world wide fame and notoriety, but then neither did the other million or so people who are there as well.  Alright, some of them did. After seeing a groin shot the first thousand times and those millions of cute pets I decided to look deeper.  Guess what?  There is actually a great deal of useful information sprinkled it with the karaoke and practical jokes.  Watching some of the tutorials gave me an idea, some of them are for advanced students, some are for beginners, there are not a lot for the middle.  So that's what I hope to provide, from beginner to somewhere below expert, in plain language with basic information that will be useful  for the average person or for the person who needs or wants to produce digital media for work, school or to embarrass their family and friends.
In future updates I'll include links to both the web page and the YouTube channel as I begin to post.  Stay tuned as they say!

Oh the games people play

"Why don't they pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting anybody from learning anything? If it works as well as prohibition did, in five years Americans would be the smartest race of people on Earth."
Will Rogers.

Is gaming the future of education?  Can you imagine a student spending the amount of time on a academic or career and technical education subject they currently spend on a popular video game such as Call of Duty?  Imagine the hours/days/weeks spent in trial and error, it learning the different maps and strategies involved in each level of the game, just think of the higher order thinking skills involved in this complex, tedious and heart pounding exercise.  Why do they do it?  Because it is fun, challenging and there is a clear objective at the end they wish to achieve.

In the 2011 Horizon Report, http://www.nmc.org/pdf/2011-Horizon-Report.pdf  6 technological trends of potential importance were examined.  As the report acknowledges, there are a great many technology trends fighting for their place in the brave new world, some will make it, some won't.  The report attempts to identify by scientific method and input from many sources those most likely to succeed and most importantly have dramatic impact on the way technology effects our world.  Out of this years 6 emerging trends I believe game based learning has the greatest potential for educators in the near term.  While AR is an exciting trend, I believe it will be difficult to see its true potential in K-12 schools which have limited space on campus in which to utilize the real power of the technology.  Game based learning offers the hope that we can engage our students in a new manner that draws them into the experience rather than alienating them from it. 

Game based learning has received a great boost from the consumer market and the research that has been conducted for the purpose of discovering why games appeal different ages and sexes and how we respond to different interface components.  Also the vast array of MMO games that have appeared in the last few years with ever increasing complexity requiring even stronger problem solving skills is truly astounding.  I must confess a slight addition to an online racing game called Blur myself.

Our goal for the future must be to speak in the language of our students , as digital natives they expect interaction with technology.  This is their touchstone.  If we can successfully integrate educational content into learning games we will be assured of having our students full attention and engagement.  Problem solving, group cooperation, goal directed action are but a few of the higher order thinking skills MMO's offer the educational establishment.

The question we must as educators ask is do we have game?

Up, Up and Away

"A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way."
       Learning by mistake....or should I say mistakes is a valuable method to absorb information.  While not always efficient, it is a way to make sure the lesson sticks.  That's an indirect message I've gotten from some of my readings on learning environments.  Create an environment where students are encouraged to develop hypothesis and then discover if they are correct.  The important thing is not the conclusion, its the process.  How did you come to that answer, how did you succeed or fail?  When there is no fear that there will be consequences if the hypothesis fails, students are free to consider broadly and deeply and to coin a cliche, think outside the box .

     They will fail, but they will learn why and that is the most important facet of the equation.  Being able to consider, evaluate, recalculate and find the right path taps all the higher order and 21st Century Thinking skills that are so important in today's world.  Don't let mistakes hold back your instruction, my father once told me the a person who doesn't make mistakes, isn't doing anything.  Apparently they're not learning anything either.

blogs, twitter, lions, tigers and bears. O my!

"Flying is simple. You just throw yourself at the ground and miss."
It is with reluctance that I grudging am being dragged into the present. Like most of my generation we're happy to just keep things the way they were.  Its safe, you know how to do everything, you don't have to learn anything new or else.  You can walk to school through 2 feet of snow uphill, both ways!  You may envy the turtle with his gift of instant invisibility (at least from the turtles point of view), but that gift will not keep you from being run over by a car.  Just cause you refuse to see it doesn't mean it will go away.  Twitter, blogs, wikis, they're all heading toward you at breakneck speed.  Don't look away, don't cover your face with your arms, take the wave and feel the impact.  It may be more fun than you think.

Professional Learning Communities

"Boyhood, like measles, is one of those complaints which a man should catch young and have done with, for when it comes in middle life it is apt to be serious."
For some time I've heard my wife who is a guidance counselor talk about her system's PLC and how it was nice to have others lashed to the same ship trying to row in unison, buds as it were sharing common problems and goals. I had thought that it was great for her, but there weren't any more Video Production teachers in my system.  Obviously I didn't see the forest for all those damn trees.  They is an entire world out there that is a mouse click away and it hit me like a snowball fired from a potato cannon that I could simply create my own.  Don't curse the river, build a bridge.  So here goes, I have a couple of associates in other systems that I will start with, hopefully they will be able to bring more into the PLC.  I've set up an account on Delicious.com to socially share video production instruction websites and resources, that will hopefully help get the ball rolling.  Lets dive into the deep end, hold on, here we go!

Today is the first step on a journey

I always like to start off with a quote from someone that sums up where my head is, so it the words of that great philosopher Emo Phillips, "Someday's its not worth the effort to chew through the leather straps".  Thats exactly right!  I know you've felt that way, we all have but in my experience that which is overwhelming at first is satisfying to overcome.  So here is my blog, my journey though academia as a senior citizen will be chronicled.  Hopefully with touches of humor, information and just plain uncommon sense.  God bless us all, each and every one!