TLT

Thanks to Jim Duran for sharing the link to “10 YouTube URL Tricks You Should Know About.”  This article contains tips for getting more control over the videos you embed in your blogs, wikis, webpages, etc.  I tried them all in my blog and the first thing I noticed, for all you CofC bloggers, is that you can’t use these controls if you embed your video the normal way (using the  icon).  The only way these controls will work is if you choose the HTML tab in your editor and actually paste the YouTube embed URL into your post.

Here’s an example:

<object width=”425″ height=”344″><param name=”movie” value=”http://www.youtube.com/v/Uo3VwTBGrY8&hl=en&fs=1″></param><param name=”allowFullScreen” value=”true”></param><param name=”allowscriptaccess” value=”always”></param><embed src=”http://www.youtube.com/v/Uo3VwTBGrY8&hl=en&fs=1″ type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” allowscriptaccess=”always” allowfullscreen=”true” width=”425″ height=”344″></embed></object>

Everything above is included in the Embed URL in YouTube.  If you want to add the commands from the article your link will look like this:

<object width=”425″ height=”344″><param name=”movie” value=”http://www.youtube.com/v/Uo3VwTBGrY8&hl=en&fs=1″></param><param name=”allowFullScreen” value=”true”></param><param name=”allowscriptaccess” value=”always”></param><embed src=”http://www.youtube.com/v/Uo3VwTBGrY8&hl=en&fs=1&start=150&autoplay=1&showsearch=0&rel=0” type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” allowscriptaccess=”always” allowfullscreen=”true” width=”425″ height=”344″></embed></object>

&start=150 tells the player to begin the video 150 seconds in.  &autoplay=1 tells the video to automatically start when the page loads.  &showsearch=0 tells the video not to display the search window when the video finishes playing and &rel=0 tells the video not to display related videos when the video finishes playing.  These are just a few of the tricks.  I’ll be honest, I couldn’t get the time command to work and didn’t try to bypass the regional filtering so I don’t know if that works.  Everything else seems to work really well.

The video below is the direct result of the embed text above, with the start, autoplay, search and related video commands added.

By the way if you haven’t checked out Zee Avi, the singer in the video, you really should. She rocks!

It’s official, I adore the new iMovie ‘09.  It’s everything iMovie ‘08 wasn’t.  I have just completed a full run through of the software and here’s why I love it.

Hooray, they finally gave us back the fine editing capability using the arrow keys.  I’m thrilled about that.  I also love the precision editing tool that allows for better cuts between clips.  I’m also in love with the new special effects (cutaway, picture-in-picture and green screen).  These effects have really ramped up ‘09 into a class above even iMovie HD.  Another awesome feature is that they have brought back DVD Chapter Markers!!!  Wow was that a pain to do in ‘08.  This is a big help having those back.

On a purely fun level they have added tons of new transitions and titles.  My favorite part of the titles is how easy it is to add colored or interesting backgrounds.  So much better than HD or ‘08.  I also am a big fan of the travel maps you can add.  Again these are all fluff but it really adds a lot to your finished product, especially if you are making videos for personal use.

What I don’t like…I’m still liking the Ken Burns Effect in HD better than ‘09.  What I liked in HD was that you can drag the image off the screen.  In ‘08 and ‘09 you are constricted by the edge of the screen.  While this isn’t a deal breaker it does hinder creativity a bit.  I also still like the audio control of HD better than ‘08 & ‘09.  The fade control is not sufficient on ‘09.  I liked the ability to drag the audio controllers around a clip to fine tune the fades and volume.  Lastly, they still don’t allow you to insert a title at the playhead.  You still have to insert them at the beginning, middle, or end and then move it.  This is a pain and prohibits you from easily adding multiple titles in one clip.  I also don’t think you can overlap video effects although I’m not 100% sure about this.  For instance I couldn’t make a clip Black & White then add the Film Grain Effect.  It seemed to be one or the other.

So what’s the final verdict?  Get iMovie ‘09.  It’s totally worth the upgrade price of $79.00 from the Apple Store.  With this you get the new iPhoto with face recognition and the new GarageBand, iDVD and iWeb.

Are you tired of people sending you files you can’t read, like .pub (Publisher) or .docx (new Word)?  Well I’ve been working with a few free, online file converters that may help you out.   I started looking into these when my husband, Vince, sent me a .pub file that I needed to look at.  Being a Mac user I don’t have access to Publisher so I had to find another way to view it.  Enter Zamzar! Zamzar is a free, online file conversion application and it’s very simple to use.

When you file is finished you will be emailed download instructions.  It really was easy and you don’t even need to sign up for an account.  With the free account you can convert up to 5 files at a time with a maximum file size of 100 MB each.

The cool thing about these conversion programs are that they can convert many file types, such as images, videos, documents/spreadsheets, music, and a few others.  There is a downside however, the return of the converted files is a bit slow.

If you check out Zamzar and you don’t like it, fear not.  There are several other programs that you may like more.  Check out Media Convert (good but with a cluttered interface), Media Converter (audio and video only), and YouConvertIt (doesn’t convert the new Office format, .docx).  I’m sure there’s more but these are the ones I’ve used.

So next time you are sent a file you can’t read consider trying one of these converter programs.  They’re not fast but they work.

I created this Voicethread for my Digitally Speaking: Voicethread class for the Spring 2009 FTI. Take a look at it and learn what Voicethread is all about by watching a Voicethread!

If you are constantly trying to schedule meetings around everyone’s schedule – then you should try Doodle Calendar. Doodle calendar allows you to schedule events using Facebook, iGoogle, and Outlook. What’s unique about Doodle is that it allows you to invite people to take polls and make choices. Check it out. Take me to doodle calendar!

Now’s the time to submit your application for the Summer 2009 Faculty Technology Institute!  All applications are due March 30th!

Here are the topics we are covering this year:

• Podcasting
• Google Tools
• Photoshop,
• Video Editing
• Voice Thread
• Gaming
• Second Life
• Twitter
• Social Networking (Ning)
• Blogs
• Wikis
• Audience Response Systems (Clickers)
• Merlot & Internet Archive

Come learn fabulous ways to enhance your classes using the latest educational technology tools!  All participants receive a laptop computer, copies of instructed software, and a $1250 stipend.

Download the Summer 2009 Application in Microsoft Word format

I have created three basic tutorials on how to create a new blog post and how to add images and videos to your posts.  These tutorials are for posting to the CofC Blog Server (WordPress MU).

Check them out on VoiceThread:

• HOW TO CREATE A POST
• HOW TO ADD AN IMAGE TO A POST
• HOW TO ADD VIDEO TO A POST

I currently have commenting turned off on the VoiceThreads themselves but if you have any comments, please post them to this blog.

Well I didn’t so I went on a hunt to learn how.  I took me a bit to figure it out but now, in hindsight, it’s not so hard.

1. Place your cursor at the point in your post where the link should appear.
2. Click on Add media from the top of your post window.
3. From the Your Computer section click Browse, choose the file then click Upload.  
   NOTE:  from what I can tell you can only upload PDF files.  I was unsuccessful with .doc, .xls, .ppt and .rtf files.
4. When it uploads a form will display.  Click Insert into Post at the bottom of the form.

Example:  nets-for-teachers-20081

If you were to look into my spam folder on some of my e-mail accounts, you might see a few of these subject lines:

“Congratulation!!! Your e-mail is a winner!”

“Respond Urgently. This information is important.”

“Your account has been accessed by an outside source, please renew your information for security purposes”

“I have millions of dollars I want to wire to you from Nigeria because of my oppressive government, please help”

“Forward this to your friends and AOL/Microsoft/Yahoo/The Sham Wow guy will give you a check…honestly”

But before you commit to act, know this, it’s a SCAM.

In the IT world, it’s called phishing because these scams are perpetrated by those who are literally fishing for your information. Your information online is an immensely valuable commodity; with it you can access personal information like banking accounts, social security numbers, and even health information. If compromised, you could put yourself at serious risk to be the next victim of identity theft.

As one friend recently told me, “Identity theft has been the biggest pain I could imagine. Sitting in line at the DMV; on the phone with my credit card companies; talking with banks… It has been a non-stop headache and I wish someone would have warned me.” All because he thought he was doing the right thing in responding to a sophisticated phishing e-mail with a few pieces of information.

Outside of identity theft, phishing hurts organizations as well. The IT department does it’s best to protect you in the virtual world by placing filters, firewalls, and security software on your e-mails to minimize phishing attempts. But those measures of security fail when a registered user gives away the security keys (aka username and password).

Don’t think it can happen to you? Guess again. Phishing scams are constantly evolving, and are becoming more and more sophisticated everyday. It is not uncommon to see identifiable markers you are familiar with: names that are in the news, organizations you trust, etc. But by following some of these guidelines, you too can avoid being the next phish in the sea.

Guidelines to avoid phishing:

o No account administration should EVER ask for you login and password.

o Always pay attention to the email address from which it came. Verify that it is a legitimate address.

o If a web address is given, don’t use it. Instead go directly to the address you know to be real. If it is a legitimate email you should be prompted for the same information when you log into your account.

o When in doubt forward the email to your Instructional Technologist or to the helpdesk for verification.

Look closely at this REAL LIFE example!

Don't be the next "Phish" that gets caught!

I read about this program on Kathy Schrock’s SOS for Busy Teachers.  It’s called Twiddla and it’s a real-time whiteboard, allowing you and your users to markup a document, website or graphic together.  According to their tagline, Twiddla is a “free, no-setup, web-based meeting playground.”

It’s pretty easy to use without any instruction.  From the Twiddla site click on the big, green “Go” button and you’re off and running.

What can I do in Twiddla?

As with most online whiteboards you can draw with a pencil tool and add shapes like squares, circles and stars.  But that’s not overly useful in an educational environment.  What makes this a good tool is that you can easily import your own content (Word docs, Excel Spreadsheets, PowerPoint slides, PDFs).  It also has a Mathematical Formula editor that let’s you create real-time, online math tutorials!  There is also a voice chat tool, which many whiteboards do not have, thus allowing the users to discuss what they are doing and makes for easier collaboration.  Lastly, try the web-browsing tool which allows the entire group to view the same page at the same time.

Are their practical applications in education?

Yep there are!

• A collaborative, real-time, online whiteboard allows you to conduct more engaging online office hours by giving you the ability to draw a concept instead of just typing it.  This is really beneficial in the math and science areas.
• This type of space can be beneficial to class group-work.  So often, group members have a problem getting together in the same place at the same time.  While this does not eliminate the “same time” problem it does allow the group members to get “together” without actually having be together.  This tool is great for idea development.
• What about a collaborative, digital art project where a group works together on a piece.

Check it out.  When you find additional educational uses please post in the comments!!!