Multimedia+SU2012

=__Multimedia Publishing__=



What is Multimedia?
Multimedia is content or media that combine several different forms in an effort to build, establish or communicate information to others. Audio, visual, textual are used together to create information that is stimulating and interactive to the consumer.

Who is Producing and Consuming Multimedia
In recent years, the creation of multimedia has experienced a shift in who is actually producing multimedia material. Not only are professionals and companies publishing multimedia material such as podcast and audio/video productions, but everyday people are using Web 2.0 tools and freeware to create, construct, contribute, and disseminate their own amateur podcasts, videoblogs, screencasts, Web television shows, and other multimedia materials to anyone that has an Internet connection. In addition, the sudden expansion in both broadband connectivity and cheap memory on computers has made it even easier for anyone to not only create but also gain access to these new multimedia sources.

Below is some information regarding how to create and use some of these multimedia materials in and out of the classroom.

=__Podcasting__=



What is Podcasting?
//Podcasting is the creation and distribution of amateur radio// (Richardson, 2010, p. 112).

Basically, podcasting is the ability for anyone to create, produce, and disseminate their own radio show. Similar to "professional" radio shows, podcasters can use podcasts to talk about any subject they wish from food to sports to politics and (you guessed it) music and talk shows.

Podcasting has exploded in recent years because:


 * Its simplicity - anyone with a with a digital audio recorder that can create an MP3 file and a server to upload their show to can create a podcast.
 * Its ability to reach a wider range of people - Before podcasts, amateur radio show hosts could distribute their material as widely and effectively as professional radio and, therefore, had a limited audience. However, the advent of podcasts allows anyone with a digital audio recording software and something to say to distribute their show to anyone who has access to the Internet.
 * It's fcheap - Many sites will allow users to produce and upload their podcasts for free. Additionally, many audio recording software, such as [|Audacity], are also free. The only real expenses to creating and distributing podcasts are paying for an Internet provider and some spare time to record your show.

How to Create a Podcast
Recording a podcast is almost as easy as listening to one. Here's how the process works:
 * 1) Plug a [|microphone] into your __#|computer__
 * 2) Install an [|audio recorder] for Windows, Mac or Linux (free software for audio recorders includes [|Audacity], [|Record for All] and [|Easy Recorder V5] ).
 * 3) Create an audio [|file] by making a recording (you can talk, sing or record music) and saving it to your computer.
 * 4) Finally, upload the audio __#|file__ to one of the podcasting sites ( [|FeedForAll] has a tutorial on how to upload a file).

Here's a link to a tutorial video on [|how to create a podcast].

How Teachers Can Use Podcasts in Their Classrooms
Podcasts provide teachers with a variety of possibilities in/out of their classrooms:
 * Podcast can deepen insights and further discussions within classrooms. Due to the abundant quantity and quality of podcast on the web, teachers can find a number of podcast which articulate new and familiar information about a topic being discussed in class.
 * Podcast can hold recordings of significant classroom discussions and/or lectures, providing reviews for students including those who were absent from the original talk.
 * In specific content areas, teachers can assign homework using podcast. For example,
 * A Social Studies teacher can assign a podcast in the form of an interview, where the students interview a primary witness to a historic event.
 * An English teacher can ask students to recite a poem he/she finds particularly helpful in analyzing a literary text.

How Students Can Use Podcasts
Students can use podcast in/out of their classrooms:
 * As a memory aid. Because podcast contain accessible information which is //**not**// in real-time, students can visit (and more importantly, //**revisit**//) podcast which contain viable classroom content.
 * As a way of creating, producing, and editing their own voices (literally). Like blogging, podcasts allows students to express their thoughts and ideas.

Podcasting Resources
** Blogtalkradio -** blogtalkradio is a Podcast and social networking site that offers a very easy way to create on-demand audio.

** PodBean.com -** PodBean.com offers an easy way to publish your own audio and video podcast in 3 steps. There is not __#|technology__ curve. You can share your podcast in Facebook, Myspace, Blogger, and other online destinations.

** PodOmatic -** PodOmatic offers a basic and pro option. Basic provides easy tools, 500MB of storage and 15GB of bandwidth per month. Pro has more features for about $10/month.

** Libsyn.com -** Libsyn (Liberated Syndication) offers several levels of podcast syndication including storage space and an archive plan that promises to hold all your podcasts, unmetered bandwidth, and the ability to use your own domain, and more.

** WildVoice Studio - ** For those who are more inclined to [|create a website] by __#|registering__ their own domain and created audio files on their own terms, here's a piece of software you might want to look at. WildVoice Studio is a free Windows application that enables a professional-quality recording complete with theme music, special effects and prerecorded clips.

** mirPod -** mirPod is a webpage which allows you to create code to embed a podcast on your own website. This is a point and click operation which requires no technical knowledge.

=__Video Publishing and Screencasting__=



Very much akin to podcasting, video publishing is creation and distribution of amateur video, film, and television on video-hosting website such as YouTube. Video production has also skyrocketed in its creations as well as its consumption with the advent of Web 2.0 and the greater ease with which videos may be made and uploaded to the Internet.

How to Make a Video
Making a video is simple.

1) Plan your video using scripts, "dry-runs," "read-throughs", storyboards, or any other organizing tool.

2) Record your video using a digital video recording device (i.e. digital camcorder, mobile phone with digital camera, webcam).

3) Once filming has finished, download video to a computer.

4) Edit video and add production devices (title screens, credits, superimpose text) by importing the video to a video editing software (i.e. MovieMaker, iMovie).

5) To distribute the video, make it into a video podcast by converting it into either a MP4 file or WMV file and uploading it to video-sharing website.

How Teachers Can Use Videos in Their Classrooms
Teachers can use videos in their classrooms:
 * As visual aids for instructions, discussions, or examples.

Students can use video publishing:
 * As a way creating visual and auditory responses to classroom discussions and/or assignments.

Video Publishing Resources
Here is a list of open-source and freeware video editing and encoding tools:

Video editing software
 * [|Avidemux]
 * [|AviSynth] (Windows)
 * [|Blender VSE]
 * [|Cinelerra] (Linux)
 * [|Lumiera] (Linux)
 * [|Flowblade] (Linux)
 * [|Ingex] (Linux)
 * [|Jahshaka] formerly known as CineFX (Linux, Mac OS X, Windows)
 * [|Kdenlive] (Linux, Mac OS X, FreeBSD)
 * [|Kino] (Linux)
 * [|LiVES] (BSD, IRIX, Linux, Solaris)
 * [|OpenShot Video Editor] (Linux)
 * [|PiTiVi] (Linux)
 * [|VideoLan Movie Creator (VLMC)]

Video encoding and conversion tools
 * [|FFmpeg]
 * [|HandBrake]
 * [|Ingex] (GNU/Linux)
 * [|MEncoder]
 * [|Nandub]
 * ppmtompeg MPEG-1 encoder, part of [|netpbm] package.
 * [|Thoggen] (GNU/Linux)
 * [|VirtualDub] (Windows)
 * [|VirtualDubMod] (Windows) (based on VirtualDub, but with additional input/output formats)
 * [|VLC Media Player] ( [|Microsoft Windows], [|Mac OS X] , [|GNU/Linux] )
 * [|WinFF] GUI Video Converter (Linux, Windows)

Freeware V ideo editing software
 * [|Lightworks] (Windows)

Video encoding and conversion tools
 * [|FormatFactory] (Windows)
 * [|Ingest Machine DV] (Windows)
 * [|MediaCoder]
 * [|MPEG Streamclip] (Windows, Mac OS X)
 * [|SUPER] (Windows) Frontend for ffmpeg, Mencoder and a few other encoders. Contains DirectShow optimizations as well.
 * [|ZConvert] (Windows)
 * [|TMPGEnc] Commercial Version (Windows)
 * [|Windows Media Encoder] (Windows)
 * [|XMedia Recode]

What is Screecasting?
//Screencasting invovles capturing what you...do on the computer screen with an audio narration to go with it// (Richardson, 2010, p. 123)

Screencasting is a wonderful way for someone to learn how to use a new digital tool or resource because they actually get to watch someone else do it from the vantage point of the user. In essence, screencasting is a tutorial-creating tool. Screencasting also allows the user to demonstrate mastery of a digital tool since the screencaster narrates what they are doing while the cursor does it on the computer screen.

How to Make a Screencast
Screencasting is very simple. All you need is a computer and a microphone to record your narration. Before you begin a screencast video, be sure to rehearse or even write down what you want your narration to say so that you aren't making it up as you go along.

1) Download and launch screencasting software such as [|Jing].

2) Adjust the crosshairs with your mouse to determine how much of the computer screen you would like to capture.

3) Click on the "capture image" icon to capture a screenshot (a photo image of what is currently on your computer screen).

4) If you would like capture a video, click on the "capture video" icon and be prepared narrate what you are doing as your cursor moves along to create the video.

5) You may preview your screencast to see if you are satisfied by it. If not, just cancel it and start again.

6) When you are finished and satisfied with the screencast, different screencasting tools allow the user to save their work in different ways such as creating a video file to save to your computer or the ability to upload your screencast and creating a web link for you and others to access it later.

Students can use screencasts:
 * With other classmates in an effort to instruct each other on group projects.
 * To review instructions and/or discussions made at an earlier time.

Here are some screencasting tools that you can use to create your own screencasts:

[|Jing] - Files are created on the local PC so that the app runs locally, not on the Internet. SWF (ShockWave Flash) files are stand alone and can be shared like any other file (and viewed with any SWF compatible viewer), or via Screencast.com.

[|Screenpresso] - Captured image files can be easily be shared. Screenpress cannot capture videos

[|Screenr] - Presentations (stored on the site) can easily be shared via email links, and can also be embedded on websites.

[|Screencast-O-Matic] - Files can be exported, and therefore easily shared or uploaded to sites like YouTube. Presentations can also be stored on the Screencast-O-matic site and accessed by URL or embed code. This is good for longer screencasts (up to 15 minutes for the free version!)

[|Screencastle] - Presentations (stored on the site) can be shared via email links, and can also be embedded on websites. Screencastle does not use log ins, so all casts are instantly available to everyone, and are not linked to individual accounts. One interesting feature of the site is the availability of widgets for automated screencasting from within WordPress and some other tools.

=__Live Streaming Production__=

What is Live Streaming?
//Live streaming is the ability for people to create their own Web shows// (Richardson, 2010, pp.125-126).

Essentially, live streaming allows anyone with an Internet connection, a computer, a microphone, a webcam, and a free account to a video streaming website can create their own "live" television show. Again, like podcasting, live video streaming allows everyday people not only the chance to create and broadcast their own video shows, but also allows them to reach a wider and greater audience than ever before.

How Teachers Can Use Live Streaming Materials in Their Classrooms
Teachers can use live streaming materials in their classrooms:
 * In an effort to communicate with other professionals. Live streaming makes communicating with others outside of the classroom possible; hence, other professionals (i.e. doctors, lawyers, guest speakers, etc.) become more accessible and (perhaps) willing to speak to students about a given subject.

How Students Can Use Live Streaming Materials
Students can use live streaming materials:
 * To communicate with other student for group projects.
 * To communicate with teachers about school assignments or to work for extra help.

Both of these uses can be done outside of school at a time agreed upon.

Live Streaming Resources
[|Skype] - The service allows users to communicate with peers by voice, video, and instant messaging over the Internet as well as video conferencing capabilities.

[|UStream] - Ustream allows users to broadcast from the Web site once logged in or from a mobile device using Ustream's mobile broadcasting application. Users can watch streams live on the Web site and on the Ustream iPhone and Android applications. The Web site allows users to interact, such as vote in polls, rate, chat, and so on.

[|PeerCast] - a peer-to-peer broadcasting tool which allows you to broadcast without needing much upstream bandwidth

[|Justin.tv] - Allows users to produce and watch live streaming video.

[|Kaltura] - Full featured open source video platform running on your own servers or cloud.

== ==

Enhance your digital classroom with Animoto, an ideal tool for creating videos and presentations. It takes just minutes to create a video which can bring your lessons to life.

Animoto allows students to Enhance the way technology is used in the classroom. With Animoto students can create great videos and presentations. They are easy to make and only take minutes to be done. Maybe this simple application could be one that can help our students come to life in the classroom. Both engaged and what they can with this website. Animoto incorporates images, videos, and text it can analyze all of these aspects and create an awesome presentation that is in full sync with one another.

The following is a link to how students and teachers can create an awesome presentation using this tool.

http://animoto.com/education/?gclid=CKT90pe41LECFYio4AodcVwADw