Multimedia Badge

Description

Multimedia includes content such as videos, audio, and pictorials. In online, blended, or face-face courses, a balanced mixture of multimedia is effective with student engagement by supplementing and enhancing written content. In many cases, multimedia is best used as primary content. Current trends and tools in creating and sharing multimedia enable most anyone to utilize multimedia in a course.

View the Multimedia Badge

Sample Applications

**Welcome and Intro Videos**
**Video Syllabi**
**Video/Audio Feedback**
**Lectures and Presentations**
**Tutorials**
**Communication**

Badging Process

1. Complete Projects

While some projects naturally lead to others, complete projects in any order. Complete all projects to receive the certification, or complete select projects and receive in-part certifications. When completing a certification, there is no need to complete all projects before submitting an individual project. In fact, we encourage submissions as projects are completed.

No sign-up or notification is required to complete certifications. Feel free to start and stop as desired.

For assistance on any aspect of the certifications, contact Online@JSU.

Website- http://www.jsu.edu/online/index.html
email- online@jsu.edu
Phone- 256-782-8172

2. Submit (Share) Projects for Feedback

First Submission- For most projects, the initial submission process is to share a project to the Online@JSU Community (via Yammer). The specifics of how to share a project depends upon the nature of specific projects. Detailed submission instructions are included in project instructions. Submit a URL, an attached file, and/or a posting in Online@JSU Community. Once a submission is made, others in the community, including Online@JSU staff, will offer suggestions and feedback. Complete and share each project in this manner in order to receive a completed Badge.

Second Submission- Incorporate the feedback from the Yammer Community and make project updates as desired.

Submit each project in this manner or as more specifically outlined in the project instructions.

3. Request Badge

Once all projects are complete, submit a Badge Request via a post in the Online@JSU Community. In this post, include a reflection of the projects completed and how skills and lessons learned may be applied to enhance teaching and learning in your courses.

Online@JSU will review all submissions and award badges though email.

Tutorials

Join the Online@JSU Community
Yammer (Online@JSU Community) Help

Project 1: Screencasting

Screencasting is a recording of a screen such as a computer, iPad, or other devices. Generally, screencasts include voice/audio and often an image of the screencaster. In a screencast, items such as PowerPoints, online software, documents, and other content are displayed and recorded in order to share with others. Screencasts are excellent for demonstrations, tutorials, and videos where content beyond the video or audio of an presenter is needed. Screencasts make excellent:

  • Demonstrations
  • Welcome and introductions to online courses
  • Feedback for assignments
  • Assignments for students

 

For Project 1, create a screencast for any purpose desired by following the steps below.

Print friendly Instructions. Print with your browser's print function- Print Friendly Instructions

Examples

Video Feedback
 Syllabus Review
How-to Demonstration

Step 1- Set-up Screencast-O-Matic

There are many tools for screencasting. See the Media Badge Resources for a list of choices. For this project, however, use Screencast-O-Matic (SoM). SoM is an excellent screencast tool which is free and very simple to use. SoM integrates with YouTube to make uploading and sharing screencasts simple. If SoM is a preferred tool, consider purchasing the full version for a nominal cost. The paid version offers more features such as editing and removal of the free version watermark.

While SoM runs from a browser, more functionality and reliability comes from installing the small SoM application to your device. In Step 1, install the SoM app on your PC or Mac.

Tutorials

Download and Overview of Using SoM
Screencast-O-Matic Recorder Download Link
SoM Website- http://screencast-o-matic.com/

Step 2- Record your First Screen Cast (Practice Run)

Give it a try. Click buttons. Fiddle with the options. Record. Play around with the SoM recorder to gain an understanding of the tool. Review and delete any recordings you make. In Step 3, you will create a more applicable screencast. Use this step to practice.

Tutorials

SoM General Help (Use the search tool for more tutorials than first listed on this page.)
SoM How-to Videos

Step 3- Record your First Screen Cast (Practical Application)

Think of an authentic use of a screencast for one of your courses. This screencast might be a welcome video or a demonstration. Whatever you choose, plan to leverage the screen recording aspect of a screencast. Project suggestions include:

  • Record PowerPoint with audio for a video lecture.
  • Open a syllabus in Word to create a course overview.
  • Record the steps to set-up an online service that accompanies your text.
  • Create a screencast for any other purpose desired.

Review the screencast tips at the bottom of this page.

After creating a screencast, save and/or upload the video to YouTube or Screencast-O-Matic. See Step 4.

Examples

Welcome Video Tips (video example)
Video Feedback Tips (video example)
Syllabus Review Tips (video example)

Step 4- Upload Your Screencast to YouTube

After your screencast is recorded, preview your work. If the screencast is acceptable, step through the options to share and save your screencast. For this step, a Gmail (YouTube) account or a Screencast-O-Matic account is required. The tutorials below are for the YouTube option.

Tutorials

Share Screencast to YouTube
Set-up YouTube account
YouTube Video Manager

Step 5- Submission

The final step of Project 1 is to share your screencast with others. This step is also the initial submission of Project 1. All projects are to be shared to the JSU Certification Community in Office 365 Yammer.

Submission is a two step process:

  1. Copy/paste the screencast URL (from step 4) to the Online@JSU Community. Include a short description with any information necessary to place the video in context. Community members and Online@JSU staff will provide feedback and suggestions.
  2. Incorporate suggestions into the video and re-post to the Online@JSU Community. Include in a reflection on the project which includes thoughts on how screencasts might be utilized in courses or the workplace.

This revised screencast and reflection is your final submission for Project 1.

Direct link to Online@JSU Community- Online@JSU Community

Tutorials

Share URL with the Online@JSU Community
Join the Online@JSU Community
Yammer (Online@JSU Community) Help

Ideas and Tips

  • Prepare- Check desktop background; hide icons; disable pop-up notifications such as email; do a sound check. See the videos below for more excellent tips.
  • Script- A script will help make your screencast efficient and clear. You need not read the script word for word. Use it as a guide.
  • Perfection- Don't try to create a perfect screencast. Major errors can be corrected with a re-take, but minor glitches are more often only replaced by other minor glitches during a re-take. Let your screencast be human.
  • Shorter- Screencasts are most effective short and concise. A perfect length is 3-5 minutes with a maximum length of 15 minutes. If your screencast needs to be longer, the best practice is to create a series of videos. A collection of short videos is more effective than a single longer video.
  • Closed Captioning- Many video services, such as YouTube, allow you to upload a script to easily create closed captioning. You may also use this script as a transcript to ensure accessibility for all of your students. See the Accessibility Certification for more information and instructions regarding creating accessible content.
  • 6 Must Do Tips For A Quality Screencast
  • Tips: Before Recording Your Screencast
  • Top Five-ish Screencasting Tips
  • 6 Tips for Creating Engaging Video Lectures That Students Will Actually Watch
  • MOOC Design Tips: Maximizing the Value of Video Lectures

Resources

Project 2: Screen Capture

Screen capture is a static image (not a video) of a computer screen, iPad, or other devices. A very common use of a screen capture is to share something which is visual and would otherwise be difficult to describe using words alone. For example, many people use a screen capture to save an error message received in order to share it with support personnel. Screen captures are also excellent for written tutorials, emails, and to enhance online pages with images. Anything that is viewable on your computer screen can be saved using screen capture. Screen captures examples include:

  • Written Tutorials
  • Create images for presentations
  • email instructions
  • Enhance Blackboard content (such as an announcement)
  • Requesting tech support

 

For Project 2, create a tutorial which includes screen snots for any purpose you desire by following the steps below.

Print friendly Instructions. Print with your browser's print function- Print Friendly Instructions

Examples

Written Tutorial
Blackboard Content
Support email
Quiz Questions in Blackboard
Course Meme

Step 1- Choose (and Install) a Screen Capture Tutorial

There are a number of paid and free screen capture tools. Most computer platforms include a screen capture tool which may entirely sufficient. More advanced screen capture tools provide for easier annotation and work flow. Annotations are a great way to fully develop tutorials. For this project, use any screen capture tool as desired. In step 1, choose a screen capture tool from those suggested. Screen capture tools are convenient and low cost. Consider purchasing a screen capture tool. If so, there is hardly a better choice than Snagit.

Suggested Screen Capture Tools

PicPick ($0-Windows)
Skitch ($0- Mac)
Snagit ($29 Academic Pricing- Windows, Mac) (Makes screen casts too)

Spend time with the chosen screen capture tool. Create a few screen captures. Make annotations. Save files. Learn the capabilities of the chosen screen capture tool.

Step 2- Plan Tutorial

Choose a topic for a How-to Tutorial. This tutorial may be something related to a course or on a topic of special interest. It is very helpful to plan the tutorial before beginning. A great idea is to compose the written portion of the tutorial before creating screenshots.

Tutorial Tips

  • Step through the process slowly and thoughtfully from the perspective of the audience.
  • Consider the audience to choose the correct pacing, language, and needed detail.
  • Write out the steps for the process before creating screen shots
  • Develop mental images of how the screenshots should look.
  • Choose a format for the tutorial. Written instructions and images in side-by-side columns? Written instructions followed by images? Written instructions wrapping around images?
  • Consider distribution: email attachment (Word or Acrobat Reader), webpage, Blackboard content, etc.

Step 3- Capture Images

Capture Tips

  • Consider if the screenshot should be full screen or a more detailed section of the screen.
  • Select more screen than needed. Crop later.
  • For some processes, it is best to capture more screen to give context to the viewer.
  • Annotate the screen shot to highlight important sections and to reflect the written instructions.

Step 4- Create Tutorial

Strive to make the tutorial both concise and detailed. Do not try to add every aspect and every component of each step as instructions will become overwhelming. However, some steps may require more detail. The goal is to move the reader through successful completion of the process as simply as possible. If a lot of detail is necessary, consider if the tutorial should be split into parts.

Design Tips

  • Provide only as much detail as needed to complete the process, but do not leave out critical steps.
  • Consider creating a template which could be used for other tutorials. This template might include a header with a title, name and contact information, borders, font styles, and other formatting aspects to better represent your message.
  • Formats such as Acrobat Reader (.pdf), webpage (.html) are more trustworthy in maintaining formatting and design.
  • Tutorials do not necessarily need additional text. The image may be entirely sufficient.
  • Word is an excellent tool to use for organizing images and writing instructions. Other tools are PowerPoint, Publisher, Pages, etc.

Tutorial Ideas

  • Set-up online course service (McGraw-Hill Connect, Hawkes Learning, etc.)
  • Special instructions for Attendance Verification
  • Content related how-to or instruction
  • Hobby Related
  • Directions to a meeting place

Examples

Student Examity Instructions (Webpage)
Bb Collaborate Quick Start Guide (PDF)
The Basics of Hammock Camping (Webpage)
Textbook Instructions (Blackboard Page)

Step 5- Share Tutorial with the Online@JSU Community

The final step of Project 2 is to share your screencast with others. Submission is a two step process:

  1. Attach the tutorial file (or a URL if the tutorial is online) to the Online@JSU Community. Include a short description with any information necessary to place the video in context. Community members and Online@JSU staff will provide feedback and suggestions.
  2. Incorporate suggestions into the tutorial and re-post to the Online@JSU Community. Include in the post a reflection on the project which includes your thoughts on how screen capture might be utilized in your courses or workplace.

This revised screencast and reflection is the final submission for Project 2.

Direct link to Online@JSU Community- Online@JSU Community

Tutorials

Share URL with the Online@JSU Community
Join the Online@JSU Community
Yammer (Online@JSU Community) Help

Ideas and Tips

  • Step through process slowly and thoughtfully from the perspective of the audience.
  • Consider audience to choose the correct pacing, language, and needed detail.
  • Write out the steps for process before creating screen shots
  • Develop mental images of how the screenshots should look.
  • Choose a format for tutorial. Written instructions and images in side-by-side columns? Written instructions followed by images? Written instructions wrapping around images?
  • Consider distribution: email attachment (Word or Acrobat Reader), webpage, Blackboard content, etc.
  • Provide only as much detail as needed to complete the process, but do not leave out critical steps.
  • Consider creating a template which could be used for other tutorials. This template might include a header with a title, name and contact information, borders, font styles, and other formatting aspects to better represent message.
  • Formats such as Acrobat Reader (.pdf), webpage (.html) are more trustworthy in maintaining formatting and design.
  • Tutorials do not necessarily need additional text. The image may be entirely sufficient.
  • Word is an excellent tool to use for organizing images and writing instructions. Other tools are Power-point, Publisher, Pages, etc.

More Tips

Resources

Project 3: Video/Audio Editing and Enhancement

In Project 1, it is suggested not to focus on perfection or mistakes when creating a video or screencast. Unless errors are entirely unacceptable, it is best to simply allow a few glitches to exist. These glitches are more endearing than problematic, and perfection is a difficult standard. With experience, however, you may decide to correct some mistakes. Mistakes may be easily corrected or removed and replaced with new content. This stage of creation is referred to as post-production. In post-production, edits are completed and enhancements to content are created.

Project 3 centers on creating enhancements for a video. While corrections may be made as well (see tips below), the steps for project 3 lead through ways to add call-outs, links, fades, and other post-production elements for the overall enhancement of video content.

For Project 3, edit a video and add enhancements such as call-outs by following the steps below.

Print friendly Instructions. Print with your browser's print function- Print Friendly Instructions

Examples

Step 1- Choose Video Editing Tool

In step 2, you will edit and enhance your screencast or another video you created. There are many free and paid video editing and enhancement tools. Camtasia is one of the more popular tools among educators. If you plan to create a lot of videos with special features, the price is well worth it. See the list of tools below for other possible tools.

Video Editing Tools

YouTube Editor ($0- Online)
Screencast-O-Matic Editor ($15 per year- Windows and Mac)
Open Shot ($0- Windows and Mac)
iMovie ($0- Mac)
Camtasia ($179 Academic Pricing-Windows and Mac)

Spend time with the chosen screencast/edit tool. Create a few screen casts. Make annotations. Save files to your computer. Learn the capabilities of the editor.

Step 2- Edit Video from Project 1

While you may choose any tool you wish, for demonstration this step uses YouTube which aligns easily with the screencast created in project 1.

YouTube video editor is limited but offers basic tools to edit and enhance your video. For example, with the YouTube video editor, you can:

  • Add text call-outs
  • Create click-able links
  • Improve audio and video quality
  • Apply special effects such as slow motion, transitions, and color changes
  • Delete, trim, and combine videos

Download YouTube Screencast

If you plan to use an editing tool other than YouTube, you will need a video file of your screencast from project 1. You can easily download videos from your YouTube account. See Download YouTube Video Instructions.

Editing and Enhancing Ideas

Examples

Annotated and Links in Videos

Tutorials (YouTube)

Video Editor
Enhancements
Annotations
Cards
Audio

Step 3- Share Edited/Enhanced Version of Screencast

If you edited your video directly in YouTube, use the same process as in project 1 to copy and paste the video URL to the Online@JSU Community. Make sure the link (URL) is the correct one for the edited/enhanced version.

If a different tool was used for edits, you will need to upload your new version to YouTube in order to share it publicly via a link.

Post your link in a post in the Online@JSU Community. Add a description of the changes you made in your video.

This post is the final submission for project 3.

Direct link to Online@JSU Community- Online@JSU Community

Tutorials

Share URL with the Online@JSU Community
Join the Online@JSU Community
Yammer (Online@JSU Community) Help

Ideas and Tips

Resources

Project 4: Sharing and Curating Content

Each project for the multimedia badge has included some amount of activity involving sharing. Distributing content to consumers (students) is a critical part of creating and curating content. In today's online world, sharing content to a diverse and global audience is easy. In fact, this ease of sharing can also be problematic in that not all content is meant to be publicly available. Project 4 focuses on the variety of methods for sharing multimedia content and manners in which to control distribution of content.

For Project 4, develop various means for sharing multimedia content to students and others by following the steps below.

Print friendly Instructions. Print with your browser's print function- Print Friendly Instructions

Step 1- Share Content (Public)

Ease of access to content is the norm in today's digital environment. Sharing and re-sharing content tools exist in practically every online tool. Generally, this is a positive thing- assuming the content is desired to be shared. For course content, the easier and more fluid students have access to content, the more likely they will view it.

There are many ways to make content available. Fundamentally, no matter what service you choose to make content available, the content must be on a server capable of sending information to other computers. Office 365 is an excellent way for the JSU community to share and control sharing of all sorts of content. Most of the Office 365 tools have sharing options built-in, but for this step of project, let's focus on OneDrive.

Step 2A- Upload the tutorial from Project 2 to OneDrive. All JSU faculty have a OneDrive account via their GEM login. See tutorials below for more information and help with using Office 365 and OneDrive.

Step 2B- Using the share options, create a share link which allows "public, no sign-in required"

Step 2C- Save this link for posting in step 5.

Using the steps above, most any file may be shared with anyone. Change the parameters of the link to control who can view or edit the file.

The link you have created is now the path in which others access the tutorial.

Tip- The two significant elements of choosing the availability of the content are:

  1. Permissions related to the link (edit, view only, sign-in required, etc.)
  2. Who receives access to the link

Tutorials

Uploading Files on OneDrive
Sharing Files on OneDrive
OneDrive Desktop
Office 365 Sharing Documents

Step 2- Share Content (Closed)

Much of the sharing of content on the Internet is entirely public. There are plenty of pros and cons of this sharing practice. Open access to content and information is certainly a pro while loss of control of one's own content is a directly related con. The only way to fully control digital content is to not post it, however, there are many tools and techniques to limit who has access to content in order to exercise some amount of control and privacy. Once content is shared, there is always a loss of control in that those whom you share with may share the content without permission.

In step 3, the process is to make content available via the Internet while employing some control over who can view the content. Blackboard is an excellent tool for this purpose. A video may be posted online, but if the link to the video is only posted in your Bb course, only students will have practical access.

Note- if you uploaded the video to another site, you will follow a similar procedure.

Step 3A- Edit the listing settings to your screencast video on YouTube, and choose "unlisted." An unlisted video is accessible by anyone with the link, but is not searchable. In effect, no one can find a video which is unlisted.

Copy the video link for posting in Blackboard.

Step 3B- Using any of your Blackboard course shells, create a Blackboard Item in which you will paste the URL copy in step 3A. This sharing of the link is how students will gain access to your non-searchable video.

For instructions on embedding the video link in Blackboard, see- BBBBBBBBBB

Step 3C- Create a screen capture of the functioning and embedded video in Blackboard. Save this image for posting in Step 5.

Tutorials

Video Privacy Setting (YouTube)
Video Manager (YouTube)
Embed Video in Blackboard

Step 3- Share Content (Various Systems)

While the underlying methods are similar, there are so many options for curating and sharing content which you or others create. Review the following systems. Work through any set-up procedures such as create a title, upload banners and artwork, and create example content.

Choose one of these systems to share any content created by yourself. Based upon which system you choose, engineer a way to share the system (and therefore your content) to the Online@JSU Community in a post. See Step 4.

Print friendly Instructions. Print with your browser's print function- Print Friendly Instructions

As members of the Online@JSU Community provide feedback, correct and edit your work. For example, if a link is not functioning, correct the link and ask for more feedback. Otherwise, these three postings are your final submission for Project 4.

YouTube Channel (open or closed)

Since you have already uploaded a video to YouTube, you have a YouTube channel. For this option, set-up your YouTube channel as a means to share videos made in the future. A YouTube channel is often episodic but may also be based around a topic. For example, your YouTube channel might be weekly lectures to explain concepts from a course text. Or, the channel may include a collection of informational videos for a course(s). Yo may create additional channels and playlists within a channel to better help organize and clarify content for viewers.

Examples

The RSA
American English
Shmoop

VoiceThread (open or closed)

In concept, VoiceThread is a video (multimedia) discussion board. VoiceThread may be used in many other ways to such as curating content, streaming videos, and allowing subscriptions. Currently, at JSU, VoiceThread Pro is free and integrated within Blackboard. This integration connects students to a VoiceThread easily and allows for more security and content control than other means. VoiceThread is an excellent tool for student work.

Examples

VT Lesson Ideas
VT Digital Library

Twitter (open)

Twitter is a very public and effective means to disseminating information. The limitations of Twitter do not allow direct content creation, however, Twitter can easily connect your content to others. For example, after creating a new video on YouTube, you can easily connect that video to potential viewers such as your students by tweeting the video link.

Examples

NPR
Education Nation
Smithsonian

Podcast/Vodcast

Podcasting is one of the first means in which Internet users shared multimedia and a more produced level of content. The term podcast more specifically refers to an audio only and episodic collection of content. Today, the term is more loosely used to include videos. A good analogy of a podcast is a radio show. Podcasts still have a lot of relevance to teaching and learning and are very mobile friendly allowing learners to listen on the go.

Examples

Ted Talks
La Vida Espanol
Stuff You Should Know

Other

The Internet offers many tools for curating and sharing content. Feel free to adopt any service for this project.

Tutorials

YouTube Channel
PodBean
VoiceThread
VoiceThread Bb Integration

Step 4- Submit Sharing Work to the Online@JSU Community

The final step of Project 5 is to share your various tasks completed in steps 1-4. Create a separate post with a short description of what you completed for the following:

From Step 2- Share link from tutorial uploaded to OneDrive

From Step 3- Screen capture from embedding screencast in Blackboard

From Step 4- Link, screen capture, or other information as needed to demonstrate use of a sharing system

Direct link to Online@JSU Community- Online@JSU Community

Tutorials

Share URL with the Online@JSU Community
Join the Online@JSU Community
Yammer (Online@JSU Community) Help

Ideas and Tips

Resources

Project 5: Other Multimedia Content

Projects 1-4 are about creating content. The Internet is full of excellent content on practically any topic. While creating custom content for specific needs is an indispensable approach, why not draw upon the richness of the Internet too? For project 5, research the following types of multimedia content as related to your discipline. Look for one or more examples of high quality multimedia content in each of the following areas. Feel free to add other content types too.

For Project 5, research the many options online for multimedia content which could be used in your courses.

Print friendly Instructions. Print with your browser's print function- Print Friendly Instructions

Step 1- Review Content Types

Look for examples of high quality content in your discipline. Note from within each of the tools or services the manner in which one shares content with students. Are there similarities in the ways content is shared projects 1-4?

Multimedia Content Types

Video Channels

Example- Kahn Academy
Example- TedEd
Example- NPR
Example- Smithsonian Channel

Podcasts/Vodcasts

Example- This American Life
Example- Clark Howard Show
Example- Wired
Example- This Week in Tech

Learning Objects and More

Example- MEROLT
Example- Cal Poly Pomona
Example- HippoCampus
Example- PBS.org

Step 2- Submit What You Find

For each of the content types, provide at least one example in your discipline. Using the most appropriate sharing means (most likely a link), create a post in the Online@JSU Community. In the post, include the type name, a description of what is found, and the appropriate link or other sharing information.

This is the final submission for project 5.

Direct link to Online@JSU Community- Online@JSU Community

Tutorials

Share URL with the Online@JSU Community
Join the Online@JSU Community
Yammer (Online@JSU Community) Help

Ideas and Tips

Resources

Resources

Each of the projects for the Multimedia Badge draw upon various resources and tools to enable project completion. These resources are listed within each project instructions and are also listed here for convenience.

Screencasting

Screen Capture

Ideas

  • Step through the process slowly and thoughtfully from the perspective of the audience.
  • Consider the audience to choose the correct pacing, language, and needed detail.
  • Write out the steps for the process before creating screen shots
  • Develop mental images of how the screenshots should look.
  • Choose a format for the tutorial. Written instructions and images in side-by-side columns? Written instructions followed by images? Written instructions wrapping around images?
  • Consider distribution: email attachment (Word or Acrobat Reader), webpage, Blackboard content, etc.
  • Consider if the screenshot should be full screen or a more detailed section of the screen.
  • Select more screen than needed. Crop later.
  • For some processes, it is best to capture more screen to give context to the viewer.
  • Annotate the screen shot to highlight important sections and to reflect the written instructions.

Examples

Tutorials

Software

  • PicPick ($0-Windows)
    Skitch ($0- Mac)
    Snagit ($29 Academic Pricing- Windows, Mac) (Makes screen casts too)

Video Editing and Enhancement

Ideas

Tutorials

General

iMove

Get Help with iMovie

Screencast-O-Matic

Screencast-O-Matic How-to Videos

Open Shot

Camtasia

Get Started

YouTube

Software

Sharing Content

Other Content

JSU Online Community