Week 4 Final Video

Welcome to my Week four Blog Post.

My final video Statement is -

"We need to change the way we communicate"

This is a video that I have created to send to my Marching band Parents organization in order to convince them that they need to drop their guard and embrace technology.

If they don't start moving towards the "light" then their children will be in a place where the parents can't reach them.

It's also duly noted that there was quite a bit of this video that ended up on the "cutting room floor".

I hope you enjoy it.

PE 6

Okay -

so this was MUCH easier than learning Flash! (I still can't get my movie to work).

I spent some time marking up my "map" and below is the final product.

I must say - this was a very nice piece of software that I would be willing to use on a regular basis. I also like the functionality of the ability to download the image created in multiple formats.

impressive - most impressive!

PE 5

OK so - I've just spent a bunch of time looking over google draw. It's very user friendly, and anyone who has experience in MS Word's drawing will recognize the interface instantly. I will say though, that the way google has this "laid out" things are much easier to find. I had a much simpler time using arrows etc..

Also copy and paste works WAY better here than in MS Word.

So here's what I would like to do (I've already started!):

I need to make a site map for the upcoming Marching Band Competition at my school on October 30, 2010. I need to show the drop off areas for students, warm up zones and performance area. I also need to show the flow so that Directors unfamiliar with our campus can feel comfortable, and thus focus completely on the performance of their children.

I downloaded an image from google earth of our school. I will mark it up and distribute it to directors, students and parents.

I will post the final product here when I finish.

Man - I'm charged up for this!

PE 4

Well here we are in week 4 ALREADY! Wow - time does fly. Actually, Limes fly when you're having a lot of fun! Anyway - I digress - what I would like to explore this week is the only area, the final frontier, in google docs that I've not tried - drawing.

I used to use "Superpaint" years ago when the Mac was just a puppy. Recently I've mostly used the drawing features in MS Word (Office). I'm looking forward to seeing what the google app can do.

Back in an hour or two...

PE 3(a)

Okay - trying to learn Flash - again - is more than I bargained for! Here's my next attempt at loading the video...

PE 3

So my dear friend and colleague Kristen Record was just named teacher of the year in CT. I just made this simple video of one of the news casts using Flash. PS - my daughter is the child that's being interviewed!

PE 2

So it seems as if I've bitten off a pretty big bite here. There's an old expression - "How do you eat an Elephant? - One bite at a time!" This is going to take some time - but I will try my first Flash video in my next blog.... stay tuned!

PE 1

I have decided to look into Flash Video. I'm intrigued by Flash and know nothing about it. I am going to watch the lynda.com video and see what adventures lie ahead! My only hesitation is that, currently Flash is not supported in the iPhone platform, where I live my life!

BP 12 One Minute Movie

Here is my One Minute Movie on NING!

BP 11

Link to Brandi LeBlanc's Blog Post Comment

Please click the link above to see my comments to Brandi - I am also doing my first PE on Flash!

BP 10

Here is where you can see my comment on my good "critical" friend Tim's Blog Page -

Comment on Tim's Blog OMM

BP 9

Ning is a social network creation tool that allows the user to create a social Network, such as Facebook etc, that can serve as a unique social group for a specific organization, or group - such as a Marching Band, Booster Organization, Sports Team - or even a classroom.

There are unique themes that you can choose from, or you create your own design with custom CSS sheets. You can also add tabs and sub-tabs that link to new pages (or external URLs). Members can customize their profile pages, just like Facebook, with their own design, choice of widgets and profile applications. 

Your Ning Network can also be set for public, or private for members only. You can also screen members before they join, as well as any photos, videos, groups, chat and events before items are posted.

Ning Networks come with an invitation engine, with full web address book and file importing to enable you and members to invite new members. Members can also cross-post status updates on Twitter and Facebook, and share content across the Internet with additional built-in tools.

There is also a dynamic activity feed of everything happening across your Ning Network, including status updates from members. You can easily track activity.

One of my favorite features is that you have the ability to pull in one or more RSS feeds from a blog, website or news source for an ongoing stream of information. Outgoing RSS feeds can also be created for features on public networks.

Members will have the ability to upload and share photos and videos. Members will also have the option to embed your branded photo slideshows or video players anywhere on the Web, with a link back to your Ning Network.

Since, in my situation as Marching Band Director, I am dealing mostly with teen members, the ability to enable your members to see who's online and chat in real-time with the chat feature. Choose to have chat appears as a persistent bar across the bottom of your Ning Network or as a dedicated tab.

We have many sections of the Marching Band, such as Drumline and Colorguard, so students can create groups on the Ning Network with images, membership, comments and a dedicated discussion forum. 

We can also enable blogging for every member of the group, as well as organize events and track RSVPs.

"Jim likes this" (*mouse click on Like*) - "I'm a Fan" (*mouse click on become a fan*). This is a fantastic tool for communicating in a current user friendly environment (similar to Facebook). The only limitation or drawback is that there is a price tag. Depending on the level of ownership, it could cost as little as $20 per year up to $500 a year! The $20 plan is perfect for High School groups and small Booster Organizations.

BP_8_My_One_Minute_Video

Please check out my first one minute video by clicking on the image below.

BL7_Comment_Link_Brandi

PLease see my comments on Brandi Leblanc's page here -

http://leblancspace.blogspot.com/2010/10/bp2igooglescreenshots.html#comments

She is also one of my "Critical Friends" and her site is a work of art!

BL6_Comment_Link_Tim

Hello Friends - please check out my comments on my good friend Tim (John) Krusko's blog page -

http://jtkusko.blogspot.com/2010/10/bpscribd.html#comments


Tim has a great blog that I'm sure you will find as fascinating as I did!

BP5_Web_2.0_Review_Shwup!

Web 2.0 review:

muveeMix - Mix Photo and Music into Video

This is a social community app that allows the user to create photo albums with other users. 

Users will also have the option to create "Muvee's", or a short video using images and live footage merged together within the app.

The premise is simple - and quite appealing:

Let's say you have a large group of students at an event or field trip. Many people are taking images and video with different cameras and different angles. Shwup gives you a place to have all your friends upload their images and videos, add music & create movies (muvees) of the files.

I am in charge of a 125 piece marching band, and with that comes over 200 parents. I am always having parents hand me cd's dvd's and files of images - and then I'm adding them all to my library on my laptop, which is now topping out at over 38,000 images! 

Shwup would give us all the ability to load images and video files into one central location to share etc...

Some features of "Shwup" - 

• Share Hi-Res albums on Facebook using shwup. Using shwup, you can now upload your photos to shwup, and then hit the 'Publish to Facebook' link to publish the album on Facebook. Friends will be able to access a Hi-Res version by following the links placed below each photo automatically on Facebook to link to the shwup album. Facebook friends will finally have the chance to see and download the Hi-Res version of your images.
• Users can also buy a Video-DVD iso image of muvees uploaded from muvee Reveal, shwup's companion desktop product.
• Wonder what camera was used to take the photo? Camera models are now indicated next to each photo, complete with the price from Amazon. 
• Shwup users can also share an album with friends and family by sending them a link or publishing to Facebook or Twitter. Anyone who clicks on that link will be an authorized viewer of the album. 
• In addition - Photos and video can now be viewed in HD resolution! If you click on the "Full screen" button, you will display a large version of your photos and video.
• Videos and muvees can now be posted to YouTube.
• Users can use tagged photo as avatars, and you can now select a photo where you are tagged to be your avatar.

These are just a few features that shwup has to offer.

The steps to upload photos are simple:

Create a unique webpage name

Decide where to import from.

Upload your photos or files

One up - you have many options to share your photos!
Best of all - others can add to the album!

Check out this "muvee" I made in under 5 minutes!


http://www.shwup.com/album/meadowlands_2010/4325603

The interface is simple - the resolution is superb, and the concept of having large numbers of students and parents keeping all these events organized is very appealing...

This is free, and the only cost is if you want prints, or DVD's etc...

I would highly recommend this app to everyone interested in simplifying their large group photo efforts!

How I Fixed my Blog Post - Missing Images

To my surprise - my images were missing when my blog post was graded! In a nutshell - I screen captured and pasted the screen shots into the blog entry window (where I'm typing right now). I then adjusted the alignment and size so it would appear correctly in the post. I then saved the post. I went back and edited it a few times - the final save still had the images. I was stunned when I saw my grade - and then subsequently stunned when I went to the post and saw the "place holders" for the images - but no images!

I then went to blogger in the edit mode - Re captured all the screen shots - but this time, instead of pasting the graphic - I opened the graphic in preview (Apple's Image/PDF software), saved it with a name to my desktop, then uploaded it in the blog window - using the "Insert Image" command in the menu in this window. This has solved the problem.

Insert Image: 

You can check to see if it's working in this simple manner - once you upload the image, save the post (you can always go back and edit). Visit the post on your blog - then click on an image. IF the image OPENS larger and fills the browser - you are all set - if  NOT - then back to the drawing board!

In essence - you can't "paste" directly into the blog post - the image needs to be uploaded, then inserted! More work - but a much better result.

BP4_Review_Web_2.0_uTutti

Web 2.0 Tool:

uTutti - a management system for the music teacher. https://www.ututti.com/app

Tutti - the Italian word for "all or everyone" in music...

uTutti gives the user a variety of tool within one application that can organize almost every aspect of the physical "plant" of a high school (or middle school) instrumental (or vocal) music program. From instrument inventory to fund raising, from calendars to accounting software, from student lists to music library - the uTutti is a comprehensive - all in one - app for the high school music teacher.

As a music teacher - the duties of the job go way beyond teaching fingerings and phrasings. The day (and most of the night) is consumed with a plethora of tasks - most of which are menial and mundane, to say the least. You are constantly required to bring together many bits of information regarding students, instruments, inventory and finances. The uTutti app is a great way, especially for the emergent band director to "clean up his act"!

The app is organized with a Home Page that has tabs -

Each tab controls a different area of the department. The user also has the option to print reports regarding any aspect of the program. The user is also given the option of customizing the home page as well. 

The Student Page - directors can list all of their students information. A grade book option is included, as well as options to import information from external files. Directors can also assign groups, seating charts and include assignments.

My favorite feature is the Inventory Tab - I'm always creating database files etc... for the instrument inventory, uniforms and the music library. The music library includes barcode, date purchased and dates performed. Instrument inventory includes to whom the instrument is assigned.

Another fantastic feature is the ability to track finances. The Finances Tab. Here the director or band parent can track deposits, outlays, student fees, fund raising and every aspect of the finances of the program. Since most high school band programs are not financed from within their respective Board of Educations - this becomes an essential need for all active band programs.

This is a great app for all directors who are techno-challenged and techno-proficient. It organizes all of the daily drudge of the program into one localized place, that's instantly accessible from any internet connection. The drawback - well if you're techno proficient, you can create a lot of this on your own and save the (I think) very pricey $175/year subscription. Although, having all of this in one organized place does seem very appealing. For the director without the time or skills - this is a great addition to streamline the work day!

BP2_iGoogleScreenShots

iGoogle Pages -

1. Home Screen

2. FSO Page

3. AR/CBL Page

4. ETC Page

BP_Diigo Group