Back to School...How's it Going? #busedu

I saw this meme online today and it made me chuckle. Most of my classes are "pretty okay" so far this year. However, one class has already had to have a seating chart redo and I need to consider moving a few in one other class this week.

But, for the most part, it's been a good start! We are on Day 13 tomorrow and this will be, for the kiddos, a 4 day week followed by a 4 day weekend! (but teachers report Friday for PD)

As I mentioned on my Facebook page, I decided to revisit my cell phone policy this year. Essentially, I wanted to stop wasting my time constantly looking to catch kids (come on, you know they are on their phones even if you or your school have a policy against it... I know... my daughter was at a zero tolerance school last year) or dealing with discipline regarding phone use. So, my policy is this:

• During lecture times or exams, phones must be on the computer tower, out of reach. 
• During work times and bellringers, phones may be on the desktop. Light use is acceptable provided you are remaining on task and not taking more than about 30 seconds of "brain break" phone time. 
• If your phone becomes a distraction, I will place it on your tower for the rest of the hour.
• Finishing work early is not free phone time; free time is still subject to the "30 second rule" and should be used helping others, reading, homework, or reinforcing skills in my subject.

And.... I've only had to tell two students that they "were pushing the 30 second limit" so far. I feel like that's pretty good progress. Most of them have accepted the freedom and rarely interact with their phones. Some look at them periodically during work time. Some will say, "I need a quick 30" and pick them up briefly and then get right back to work. And, they are getting used to "tower time" when prompted. It works for me. And, it's finally not a headache that I felt I was constantly policing.

How's your year going so far? :) I'm already ready for Labor Day and a short little break, but it's been a good start!

Technology Poem Activity (Multimedia Example)

Listen to a reading of Technology Park by Philip B

Created an Interactive Web Design activity today! Check it out! #busedu

I love drag and drop activities as they are good bellringers, so I used Google Slides to create a drag and drop activity that students can use to practice their HTML codes. They won't use all of the codes, but I did that so I can use the template over and over to create more bellringers for practice.

If you wish to use it, just give them the URL (they will need to go to File> Save a Copy to be able to edit it and drag around).

The long link-- https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1fXZyOCywaWDN5n9D8W9M51k6nyWBnfdfZb77AozD84Q/edit?usp=sharing

Here's the "answer key" if you need it.

Or, a simple printer-friendly version is here, too.

Updating my Multimedia Curriculum... Gonna try Adobe Audition! #busedu

As I am starting school Thursday and will need to give a pre-test shortly thereafter, I am trying to nail down exactly what I intend to cover in Multimedia this year. My Multimedia class is a mix of mostly vector graphics, audio editing, video editing, and animation. They also maintain a blog.

Though I try to teach some free programs, with the "1 for 1" initiative (aka Chromebooks for everyone), I am having to move into more industry programs just because many other classes are starting to use the free media programs (such as Powtoon or Prezi) earlier in the game.

Why free? Well, I want students to learn how to "transfer" knowledge. For example, starting with Audacity, they will understand audio files, formats, waveforms, amplitude, etc. And, then when we move to an industry-based software, it will be easier to learn AND they still know a free way to do it at home if they have a computer. I'm not going to be concerned with my free software being Chromebook compatible this year, though. Most free audio and video Chromebook programs are barebones or limited.

So, my plan this year is to try:

• Audio:  Audacity (free), Soundtrap (online and free, but I am buying a license to use the full version since it's like $250 for a year), and Adobe Audition CC. They will record a podcast with a partner (hopefully).
  **A few good tutorials I found today, since I just started playing with Audition this summer-- PDF Tutorial    YouTube Tutorial
• Illustration:  I do some logo design work in this class every year and we create some lower thirds graphics to use in Premiere. I will begin with a free online vector program so they get use to a few tools, like Pathfinder and Pen tool. Then, we will use Adobe Illustrator CC. (NOTE: If you don't have Adobe, they have an open source vector program called Inkscape you could use)
• Graphics: I usually start with something really simple, and will likely stick to that again this semester, such as Canva. I will also do a little bit with infographics using Infogram online. Then, we will do a very basic Photoshop unit (like 5 days; I want them to know how to cut out images so we can bring them into Premiere). We will create some blog and YouTube channel headers and such using Canva. 
• Animation: I honestly don't have time for this, but I want to at least introduce Adobe Character Animator once they know how to edit characters in Illustrator. I think they will enjoy it. Last year, we did a Powtoon animation, but I will probably skip it with some of the new stuff we are doing. 
• Video: Not sure if I will start with a free option. I used to do Windows Movie Maker but haven't since it was removed from Windows Essentials. There are some free ones out there, but I haven't downloaded and decided on one yet. Kdenlive is an open source editor I have dabbled with; I don't want "freeware" or anything trial or limited, so open source is the way to go. I'll with do that or use the YouTube built-in video editor. Then, I will move on to Adobe Premiere Pro CC. I plan to do a little bit of Adobe After Effects this year as well. But, I only have a semester, so it's a lot to cram in!

Well, what do you think of my plan? If you have any great ideas, please share! 

Got ADOBE CC? Try Character Animator with these FREEBIES! #busedu @graphicmama

A few days ago, I posted a video of my first attempt at Character Animator. Today, I started searching for instructional materials and found a few amazing resources!

Graphic Mama has a great blog where there are numerous puppets for this program that you can download, edit and use! Check out this blog post!  One of her links is Okay, Samarai and he has several ready to use puppets (for whatever reason, my CC didn't want to play nicely and I had to scroll all the way down to the old one).

Here are a few examples of puppets available:

Here is my very short example. Now, let me just say that these are provided as is, but since I teach Illustrator in Multimedia, I will provide them with a starter puppet and ask them to edit the puppet in Illustrator so that all of them begin the same but have to be customized with their Illustrator skills. 

Teaching Multimedia with video? Check out these tips! #busedu

I ran across this 6 minute video from some YouTubers that goes over some tips for making videos more interesting. I think I am going to show this early in my Multimedia class after I ask them to brainstorm some ideas for making videos more interesting! I'm thinking doing an easy edit the second week of class when we go over using the cameras would be good timing.

And, they do a really nice job of showing tons of B-roll on their video. My students tend to not cutaway as much as they should, so I am hoping this explanation that uses the techniques will really help get that message into their brains.

They give these tips--

1-- Go outside
2-- Record during the Golden Hour
3-- Collaborate with people
4-- Find interesting locations or events
5-- Shoot more B-roll