Desktop Movies with iMovie HD

My previous experience with iMovie HD involved simply importing pictures and setting them to music in a slide show type presentation, which was generated automatically. It was simple, but I had not used any of the more "advanced" features like adding an introduction, credits, transitions, and effects.

Learning from previous experiences in EDCI 505, I decided to watch a few short tutorials on iMovie first before beginning my project. However, the tutorials listed in Module 7 were made for iMovie HD 09. I was using an earlier version, so I looked up some tutorials on YouTube specific to my needs. I opened up the first tutorial I came to, and I hope I'm not exaggerating when I say, I think the kid was 8. This cute as a button little 8 year-old boy was teaching me how to create a introduction using iMovie HD. It was really too much to take! I decided that if a third-grader could figure this thing out, then I could too.

I chose to create an educational movie on the skin, its layers and their functions. I reasoned that because I would need a lot of text and detailed drawings, I would first create my project in PowerPoint. PowerPoint was simple to use and I had many tools from which to create interesting text and graphics. I was then able to save my PowerPoint presentation and import it in its entirety to iMovie. My presentation appeared in individual slides in my work space area. I was then able to choose each slide individually and place them wherever I needed within my iMovie presentation.

Creating the introduction, credits, and transitions could not be easier. Even laying the sound track into the presentation was as simple as clicking on the selected soundtrack and dragging it to the desired location. The trickiest part was finding a way to change the length of each individual slide within the movie. This actually turned out to be quite simple as well. I simply had to click on my slide, then click on "Show Photo Settings." From this point I was able to manually change the timing of each slide.

I adjusted my slide lengths multiple times before the finished product was published on YouTube. Initially I felt my presentation was too fast to be able to process the text and images. Then, I'm afraid I went too far the other direction. Hopefully, on my final attempt I was able to reach a good balance, keeping the presentation moving while still being able to process the information.

PowerPoint 180

 I have seen enough dull and unimaginative PowerPoint presentations in my day to have a less than enthusiastic view of working with PowerPoint. I mean, if I have to watch one more person read their PowerPoint slides word for word without looking up or stopping to breath...! But, I digress. To be fair, I've created my share of mediocre presentations that, I'm sure, put a few professors and fellow students to sleep.

Honestly, I had no idea about all the possible uses for PowerPoint. My previous belief was that PowerPoint was created for businessmen and teachers to disseminate as much information as possible in the shortest amount of time. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised to learn of new and creative ways to use PowerPoint. The hyperlinks and the options to move from one point within a presentation to any other point give a dynamic quality which lends itself to more flexibility and interaction. Quizzes, reviews, games, interactive stories, and other projects are all possible to create using PowerPoint. I'm officially a fan.

Now, for the negatives. Why must there always be negatives? I wish there was a way to prevent a slide from advancing it to the next slide due to a random click. This way, only when users intentionally click on "Action Buttons" or hyperlinks or any predetermined button would the slide actually transition to whatever function it was designed for. How many times must we suffer as a teacher inadvertently taps on a Smart Board to point to something and the presentation automatically advances to the next slide? Laptop users also suffer the same fate quite frequently, as touch pads can be sensitive. This flaw becomes particular cumbersome when you are interacting with a dynamic PowerPoint presentation like a quiz or review game where advancing to the next slide would confuse the user, who may find it  difficult to navigate back to the desired slide.

Negatives aside, my view of PowerPoint has done a 180. PowerPoint is a fun and simple way to incorporate technology into the classroom and enhance learning.

Graphic Organizers Using Kidspiration and Fun with Microsoft Excel

Simple. Kidspiration, as the name implies, is simple enough for kids to use. I see this as Kidspiration's greatest strength. With a short tutorial, I could envision even a 3rd grader creating a simple graphic organizer with Kidspiration. Using graphic organizers is a great way for students to visualize how concepts are related to each other. Adding technology to the mix adds to student interest and increases motivation.

My only complaint with Kidspiration is the lack of variety. I understand the idea of keeping things simple for student use, however it would have been nice to have some additional graphic organizer options.

Working with Excel was great. Who doesn't love Microsoft Excel? Easy. Practical. Great tool. I was a bit nervous  that at some point in the assignment I would need to write my own formula for a function. I'm not great with tasks that must be so precise. However, when I saw that the formula for the IF function was provided... cake!