Office 365 Video - New Feature

I discovered a new Office 365 app this afternoon - Office 365 Video.  I am using Office 365 with the University's sharepoint server.  It is a developing Office feature and we are sure to hear more. The YouTube video below explains how the app will work.  More information is available from the Office blog at http://blogs.office.com/2014/11/18/introducing-office-365-video/

Inserting YouTube Video in PowerPoint 2013

Students in two of the courses that I taught fall semester had assignments to create slide presentations, such as PowerPoint, with innovations, such as inserting video.  Somehow, I totally missed the changes in PowerPoint 2013 where the ability to insert embedded code for YouTube video is no longer available. 

However, there is still a way to insert YouTube video.  The problem is that it is complicated.  There are three main steps:

• Use the developer's tool to insert a flash object
• Size the flash object to a 16:9 aspect ratio
• Insert the MODIFIED YouTube website URL into the Flash object movie properties

Before you begin, be sure that you have the Flash Player downloaded to the computer. To download it, go to http://www2.palomar.edu/pages/atrc/2013/09/17/how-to-embed-youtube-video-in-powerpoint-2013/

To read a very good overview of the procedure, go to http://www2.palomar.edu/pages/atrc/2013/09/17/how-to-embed-youtube-video-in-powerpoint-2013/ 

The developer's tool has to be added to the ribbon menu.  Go to File -> Options -> Customize Ribbon.  Click the check-box by Developer's and then OK to save the changes.

Click Developer in the PowerPoint menu and click the icon with a wrench for More Controls.  Scroll down and select Shockwave Flash Object from the menu.  The mouse will change to a crosshair.  Draw a rectangle for the video.  I used the 10″ x 5.63" recommended by the website above.

Now, got the the YouTube video website and copy the URL.  Next right-click on the Flash Object you inserted in to the PowerPoint slide.  Click on Properties and then scroll down to Movie and insert the YouTube URL.

IMPORTANT - modify the URL.  Remove watch?v= and replace with a forward slash mark (/).
Play the slide and you should be able to see the video.

Creating Videos - Lessons Learned

I created some short videos showing how to write formulas in Excel and how to import Excel files into FileMaker Pro.  The student feedback was not good!  One told me to SLOW down!  Others said that the audio was of poor quality.  It isn't that I did not try or that they did not appreciate my attempt!

I even had a colleague review the files prior to uploading them to YouTube.  I could hear the audio clearly.  That said, I obviously need to slow down and to attempt to make the audio loud so that others can turn it down.  Have not received feedback from one of the students who is a video pro -- OMG not looking forward to it either.

Popplet

Popplet (http://popplet.com/)%20is a concept mapping app available for the personal computer (PC) and iPad.  It really is amazingly simple to use.  It allows you to use color, text, drawing, images, and video into linked concepts or popplets.  After you have created the concept map you can share it with others.  The PC version allows you to copy and embed code or share using email.  The iPad version allows you to share the concept map as a PDF (have to purchase the full version of the app) or email the file as a jpg image.

It could be used to create a concept map related to patient care.  I especially like the ability to incorporate media so easily!

PowerPoint 2010

I have written about PowerPoint 2010, but just got it installed on my work computers this past week.  I am looking forward to using the video editing features that are built into the program.  I have been slowly learning new video skills to use in planning teaching/learning lessons.  Although I don't use PowerPoint often, it can be effective.  To learn more, go to http://blogs.office.com/b/microsoft-powerpoint/archive/2011/03/03/ready-to-test-your-hollywood-skills-create-impressive-video-presentations-in-powerpoint-video.aspx

Google Wave

I received my invitation to join Google Wave this morning (4 days after I submitted my request for an account)!  As noted in the video links below, Google Wave was designed to provide real time email collaboration and includes the ability to use multimedia.

I had heard about it a while back did not take the time to explore until I talked to NW the other day after the Serious Gaming presentation. Take the time to check out these videos for more information:

• http://wave.google.com/help/wave/about.html
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDu2A3WzQpo