The Weekly Patrick™
Instructional Technology that YOU can use!
So it's been brought to my attention by a couple of colleagues that I send too many emails...
Presentation Tools Galore!
Slidely, Easel.ly and Animoto
Slidely
One disclaimer about the slideshow below: I just chose random pictures from my phone, and the music I chose makes no sense whatsoever - it was just one of the default choices. If you put some thought into it, you could make some pretty cool stuff.
Easel.ly
The only problem? They're hard to make. They've always required knowledge of a graphics editor like Photoshop. (Cue dramatic music) UNTIL NOW!!!
Behold: Easel.ly
Easel.ly is an awesome free online infographic maker. Watch the video below to get an idea of what it does and how it works - and then when you're done go get an account at www.easel.ly
and start making them!
Easel.ly is currently in beta - so if you use it, save often and be prepared for some bugs - but it's worth the slight annoyance (and you can help them improve the product by leaving feedback when something weird happens.)
Be patient - it may take the video a few seconds to load. Or like a minute. I don't know why. I'm guessing it's gremlins.
Animoto
When you first sign up for an Animoto account it limits you to making 30 second videos, unless you pay to upgrade. Likewise, you only get lower quality videos unless you pay extra to upgrade them to HD (which is why the sample video I made below is low quality - I used low resolution photos so that they would upload to Animoto quickly, and then I used their low quality video setting.) Typically this isn't a problem - if you need a quick video for a class presentation, or if your kids are making Animotos as a project, low quality is fine.
There is a solution though - the Animoto EDU account. I have one, and I can get you set up with one if you're interested (well - I can get 50 of you set up - that's the limit Animoto sets for me.) With the EDU account you can make longer videos, upgrade to HD using "credits" (though I'd prefer you tell me if you are going to do that, because we get a finite amount,) and explain how you can use this with your kids. If you're interested, shoot me an email!
Check out my sample video below. I think you'll find it delightful and full of holiday cheer. And fish. Make sure you turn the ads that pop up in YouTube off if you want to read my various witty remarks.
The Weekly Patrick
Email: psoneil@prosper-isd.net
Website: http://oneil.phs.prosperisd.schoolfusion.us
Phone: (479) 219-2180 80180