How to hyperlink a video from an image in PowerPoint

A colleague asked for some assistance to hyperlink a video from an image on a PowerPoint slide.  I used Camtasia to create a short how-to video.  I often create videos to help show others how to use misc technology tools from afar (saves gas, too)!  If this is something you would like to know how to do, click on the link below to play the tutorial!  Be patient, the video may take several seconds to begin playing, depending on your Internet speed. 

Although I used Camtasia to create this tutorial, I would like to put in a plug for Jing, another TechSmith product that is FREE!  You can create videos and screenshots with Jing.  Try it!

hyperlinking-in-ppt

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Discovery Institute: An Awesome Week of Learning and Fun!

I was fortunate to be able to go to the Discovery Educator Network National Institute last week.  It was fantastic to be able to network and learn with like-minded technology enthusiasts!  Highlights of the week included:

• Meeting new people and forming friendships that can be maintained on-line with social networking tools.


• Going to the Discovery Studio to be videotaped in front of the green screen used by Discovery Channel stars.  We made a video to help teachers understand what the DEN is all about and to learn about the benefits of becoming a DEN STAR educator.


• Learning how easy it is to use Adobe Premier's chromakey feature.


• Creating my own Mobulus Station that I can use to live broadcast professional developement when needed. 


• Learning about the benefits of cell phone technology for the classroom from Hall Davidson.


• Discovering the benefits of geocaching.  Now I want a hand-held GPS to try it myself!


• Becoming aware of many cool web-based tools such as Poll Everywhere, Jott, and Riffly.


• Signing up for a Plurk account, a Twitter-like social networking tool.  I lOVE IT! 


• Creating a video modeled after the Boom-de-Ya-Da commercial.  This was the opening activity.  I worked with teachers from Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Texas.  So fun!


• Spending time in a "green building."  Water is saved by moving the toilet handle up for liquid waste, and down for solid waste.  Maybe Discovery can be highlighted during Earthcast 09! 


• Strolling the National Mall with friends before catching our flight home.


• Creating/sharing lessons & projects that use DiscoveryStreaming. 

My advice is to become a DEN STAR and apply to attend next year!

Back On-line After a Two-Week Hiatus!

My family and I went on vacation to a place without Internet access, and it was exactly what I needed!  Although part of me wanted to be in Texas at NECC, I needed the down time.  I read lots of books, golfed, and even went white water rafting.  I so much appreciate all who were able to attend NECC for their willingness to share their experiences via their blogs.  I intend to watch the videos and listen to the podcasts that have been posted on the ISTE website, and any others I can find! 

Next week I am fortunate enough to be going to the Discovery Educator Network's Leadership Institute in Silver Springs, Maryland.  I cannot wait!  I hear the networking and professional development is tops.

Firefox 3 Now Available

Mozilla Firefox became available for download today. I found a wonderful write-up about the new features that is worth taking a peek at from dria.org, "the intrepid girl reporter."  The malware and phishing protection are among the best new features.

HEY, THIS IS MY 100th POST!

Something Cool to Try This Summer

I was just browsing the Discovery Educator Network's "Streaming A to Z" blog, and found an entry about how to do the "green screen"  effect in Windows MovieMaker, something I've been wanting to try.  As you will see by reading the post, it is actually a BLUE screen/chromakey feature.  Links to step-by-step directions with screen shots are available, shared by Jen Dorman.

Why would you want to do this?  How cool would it be to be able to add yourself or your students to  an existing DiscoveryStreaming Video?  You can swim with sharks, interact with past Presidents, and explore the rain forest!

Fascinating International Study

The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) wanted to find out the philisophies of Scandinavian countries, whose students have outperformed students from other countries in a recent test of math and science skills.  They learned that educators in Finland, Sweden, and Denmark believe that teacher autonomy, project-based learning, and nationwide broadband Internet access are keys to their success.  I read about this in April 2008 issue of eSchool News. 

These three countries have vastly different philosophies from the USA.  They do NOT have standardized testing, competitive grading, and top-down accountability.  They also have pre-school programs between ages 4 and 7 that stress self-reflection and social behavior, not academic content.  The pre-school programs help students take responsibility for their own learning.  Additionally, the countries have social programs that provide families with support; poverty and extreme wealth do not exist. 

Interesting, isn't it?

Create Free Video Tutorials with Jing

I have been using Camtasia, a TechSmith product, for several years now. I love it...it is easy to use and there are many rendering options. Creating video tutorials does the trick when I am not able to meet with folks face-to-face. Jing is a free screen capture program, also made by TechSmith. It lacks some of the slick editing features of Camtasia, but its simplicity and sharing options make it worth it. A few days ago, a teacher asked for help with grading collaborative projects using the Moodle gradebook. I was unable to meet with the teacher, and writing out the steps would have taken 30 minutes or more. I fired up Jing and created a short video within five minutes. I was able to send a link to the video to this teachers and all the other 8th grade social studies teachers who might also want to know more about the Moodle gradebook.

Jing even offers free server space to upload videos. I highly recommend that all teachers and administrators download and try out Jing this summer!