Video, Images and Sounds – Good Tools #14 — from goodtools.substack.com by Robin Good
Specifically in this issue:
- Free Image Libraries
- Image Search Engines
- Free Illustrations
- Free Icons
- Free Stock Video Footage
- Free Music for Video and Podcasts
On 01/14/2024,
in blogs / blogging / vlogging, design, digital audio, digital learning, digital photography, digital storytelling, digital video, graphics, multimedia, music, new media literacies, platforms, podcasting, productivity / tips and tricks, tools, vendors, web design and production,
by Daniel Christian
On 12/14/2023,
in art, blogs / blogging / vlogging, creativity, digital audio, digital photography, digital storytelling, digital video, media/film, online learning, online media, participation, photography,
by Daniel Christian
The 2023 Ocean Photographer of the Year Contest Highlights the Stunning Sights Above and Below the Surface — from thisiscolossal.com
It’s Not Kansas Anymore: It’s Cinematic Thinking — from campustechnology.com by Mary Grush and Gardner Campbell
A Q&A with Gardner Campbell
Blogs are like a screenplay to a mental movie the student has made. It’s a kind of narrative, but in a way that’s more associative, the way film can be.
Grush: What about your recorded online class sessions? Do they present another path to cinematic thinking?
Campbell: Yes! A couple years ago I started describing what I did with online learning as making movies on location. That referred to the way that I really wanted each of our class meetings to be: a kind of experience, not just for students to be here as I’m lecturing, though I may be doing that, but an experience that’s similar to a live television show. Or almost like a live recording session. Of course, we’re making something that is recorded on video, and you can go back and look at it to get the flow of the experience of our time together: the way in which that story exists through time.
On 11/22/2023,
in digital audio, digital storytelling, K-12 related, more voice more choice more control, multimedia, podcasting, student-related, United States, youth,
by Daniel Christian
We’re inviting students from around the country to make a podcast and compete for a chance to have their work featured on NPR.
Students in fifth grade through college are eligible to participate, but the rules vary depending on your grade.
Make your voice heard! Be a part of NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge!
On 09/29/2023,
in art, content development, aggregation, repositories, creativity, digital audio, digital storytelling, education technology, Emotion, experimentation, Google, multimedia, music, platforms, play, podcasting, student-related, teachers, tools, vendors,
by Daniel Christian
Google Tools and Activities for Art Education — from techlearning.com by Eric Curts
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Although there is no replacement for getting your hands dirty with finger paints, technology can offer many ways for students to be creative when making art. In addition to creativity, technology can also allow students to explore and learn about art in new and engaging ways.
Some of the best free digital art tools are those from Google that help educators and students with teaching, learning, exploring, and creating art. The wide range of tools and activities available provide nearly infinite possibilities.
Also relevant/see:
- Top Free Sites for Creating Digital Art — from techlearning.com by Diana Restifo
And speaking of tools, also see:
- Soundtrap: How To Use it to Teach — from techlearning.com by Luke Edwards
Soundtrap is the recording studio for students and teachers that could help in class and beyond
Soundtrap is a music production tool that is designed for use in education. That means a full-on mixing and sound production studio experience, but one that is accessible for students grade six and up.
Since this is relatively simple to use and is available in app as well as web formats, it is highly accessible for both in-class and personal devices.
This tool offers a way to spark creativity in students and a method to help experiment with music that can inspire those new to this world, or enable more experienced students to create complex and explorative music.
Also relevant/see:
BREAKING: YouTube announced a suite of AI tools for creators! From a dedicated video editing app and AI language dubbing to AI video generation and ideation. Here’s the TL;DR:
1. AI Video with Dream Screen – Visually transport yourself anywhere by typing a prompt. This new… pic.twitter.com/fCPSc87IKq
— Bilawal Sidhu (@bilawalsidhu) September 21, 2023
On 08/25/2023,
in Artificial Intelligence/Agents/LLMs/and Related, career development, change, digital audio, digital storytelling, education, education reform, education technology, K-12 related, Michigan, podcasting, society, sociology, story, storytelling, student teaching/teacher education, student-related, teachers, United States, youth,
by Daniel Christian
Letter from the Editor: Experienced teachers are leaving Michigan schools. This is why. — from mlive.com by Matthew Miller
They talked instead about issues like pay, stress and the sense that they no longer had the solid backing of school administrators.
Sue Harper, who retired this summer from Kreeger Elementary in Fowlerville, blamed what she called “bulldozer parents.”
…
“I have never been one to quit anything, and teaching is my passion, but this is not teaching,” one teacher wrote. “This is hours of endless paperwork, this is social work, this is counseling, this is parenting, this is babysitting, this is coaching, this is everything but teaching.”
Also relevant/see:
Low pay, culture wars, and ‘bulldozer parents.’ Why Michigan’s best teachers are calling it quits. — from mlive.com by Melissa Frick and Matthew Miller
Now a change management coordinator for Fifth Third Bank, she said, “I don’t take the stress from my job home. I don’t feel guilty, like I always could be doing more for someone.”
Thousands of experienced teachers have retired or left the profession in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic first closed schools and shifted classes to Zoom.
Teachers say they’re burnt out, tired of a lack of support and lack of respect, feeling the impact of the increasingly acrimonious politics surrounding public education.
And finally:
- Michigan Teacher Shortage Study: Comprehensive Report — from epicedpolicy.org by Tara Kilbride, Katharine O. Strunk, Salem Rogers, & Meg Turner; published in January of 2023
Let’s Use ChatGPT to ‘Think Different’ About K-12 Schools — from gettingsmart.com by Kara Stern
So, in addition to asking ChatGPT to think like a school communications professional, a principal, or a teacher, what if we asked ChatGPT to think like the populations we’re serving, as a way of improving the education (or UX) we’re delivering?
Why I Keep Teaching — from edutopia.org by Rachel Jorgensen
A veteran educator explains why, despite the many challenges, she continues to try to change students’ lives, in turn enriching her own.
EVERY TIME I SHOW UP FOR WORK, A STUDENT MIGHT CHANGE MY LIFE FOR THE BETTER
EVERY TIME I SHOW UP FOR WORK, A STUDENT MIGHT CHANGE MY LIFE FOR THE BETTER
MY WORK HAS INVISIBLE RIPPLE EFFECTS
34 Ways to Quiet a Rambunctious Class — from edutopia.org by Daniel Leonard
From “Silent 20” to imaginary marshmallows, these teacher-tested strategies for all grade levels can help you snap an unruly classroom back to attention.
Per EdSurge:
‘THE MOTH’ GOES TO SCHOOL: For more than a decade, the nonprofit behind the popular storytelling podcast The Moth has run workshops in schools to help students share impactful stories from their lives. Now the group started a spin-off podcast, Grown, highlighting those student stories. Here’s what they’re learning, and why they say storytelling needs to be taught in schools.
The Power of Storytelling for Youth https://t.co/5OyBarJtQp #edtech via @EdSurge
— Daniel Christian (he/him/his) (@dchristian5) August 25, 2023
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DC: This article is behind a paywall so I couldn’t read it…but I think we need more *fixes/overhauls* and less coping.
More student centered; less legislative/administration centered. https://t.co/MsEe7058XV
— Daniel Christian (he/him/his) (@dchristian5) August 25, 2023
On 07/14/2023,
in animation, content development, aggregation, repositories, corporate / business world, corporate universities / corporate training, digital storytelling, elearning, productivity / tips and tricks, professional development, story, storytelling, tools, training / L&D, vendors,
by Daniel Christian
Animation Tips for eLearning — from learningguild.com by Bill Brandon
Excerpt:
Why use animation in eLearning? Many people may think of animation in terms of entertainment value alone. Animation is far more valuable for its ability to engage learners, explain or illustrate ideas, and improve recall of complex relationships, such as cause and effect.
Look up these specific animation types for use in your projects:
- Whiteboard animation: Not necessary to be able to draw the characters. Multiple brands.
- Stop-motion animation
- Animation programs for beginners
- Free animation software
Also relevant/see:
Be an eLearning Storyteller With Style and Confidence — from learningguild.com by Bill Brandon
Excerpt:
Humans are good storytellers, and humans respond well to stories. We know this from our own experience. Not only that, people remember stories for a long time, far longer than we remember a lot of teaching. Do you recall stories that someone in your family told you? Why don’t we remember lessons from school as long or as vividly? Stories are powerful if we know how to use them. In this article I will introduce you to a way to use stories to achieve outcomes.
Any time you are designing a course, a learning experience, or just pitching an idea to your boss or an L&D stakeholder, it’s a story. Even if it does not seem like one, a successful production—whether it is an animated presentation, a virtual supporting example or other content—is based on some fundamental storytelling tactics. It doesn’t have to begin “Once Upon A Time,” it just needs to be constructed the right way for your purpose – To make it a memory.
On 06/28/2023,
in A/V -- audio/visual, content development, aggregation, repositories, creativity, digital audio, digital storytelling, digital video, graphics, media/film, multimedia, story, storytelling,
by Daniel Christian
Virtual Production Primer — from provideocoalition.com by Damian Allen
Excerpt:
…use this handy guide to educate yourself on the terms and technologies at play in Virtual Production.
On somewhat related tangent, also see:
Below is an item regarding the upgrade to Midjourney, which is an example of generative AI that can convert natural language prompts into images.
It’s been less than 48 hours since MJ v5.2 was launched!
And AI Twitter has gone nuts over the new version.
Here are 15 examples + 6 Tutorials of the new v5.2?
(via the amazing @Merzmensch) pic.twitter.com/lz1WaFpEmE
— Rushik (@hey_rushik) June 25, 2023
On 06/06/2023,
in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, 3D, A/V -- audio/visual, Apple, Artificial Intelligence/Agents/LLMs/and Related, attention, Augmented Reality (AR), digital audio, digital learning, digital photography, digital storytelling, digital video, education technology, emerging technologies, engagement / engaging students, tools, United States, usability, user experience (UX), user interface design, vendors, videoconferencing, Virtual Reality (VR) / worlds / learning, vision/possibilities, web-based collaboration, Web3, webinars, workplace, XR - extended reality,
by Daniel Christian
Apple’s $3,499 Vision Pro AR headset is finally here — from techcrunch.com by Brian Heater
Image Credits: Apple
Excerpts:
“With Vision Pro, you’re no longer limited by a display,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said, introducing the new headset at WWDC 2023. Unlike earlier mixed reality reports, the system is far more focused on augmented reality than virtual. The company refresh to this new paradigm is “spatial computing.”
Reflections from Scott Belsky re: the Vision Pro — from implications.com
Apple WWDC 2023: Everything announced from the Apple Vision Pro to iOS 17, MacBook Air and more — from techcrunch.com by Christine Hall
Apple unveils new tech — from therundown.ai (The Rundown)
Here were the biggest things announced:
- A 15” Macbook Air, now the thinnest 15’ laptop available
- The new Mac Pro workstation, presumably a billion dollars
- M2 Ultra, Apple’s new super chip
- NameDrop, an AirDrop-integrated data-sharing feature allowing users to share contact info just by bringing their phones together
- Journal, an ML-powered personalized journalling app
- Standby, turning your iPhone into a nightstand alarm clock
- A new, AI-powered update to autocorrect (finally)
- Apple Vision Pro
Apple announces AR/VR headset called Vision Pro — from joinsuperhuman.ai by Zain Kahn
Excerpt:
“This is the first Apple product you look through and not at.” – Tim Cook
And with those famous words, Apple announced a new era of consumer tech.
Apple’s new headset will operate on VisionOS – its new operating system – and will work with existing iOS and iPad apps. The new OS is created specifically for spatial computing — the blend of digital content into real space.
Vision Pro is controlled through hand gestures, eye movements and your voice (parts of it assisted by AI). You can use apps, change their size, capture photos and videos and more.
From DSC:
Time will tell what happens with this new operating system and with this type of platform. I’m impressed with the engineering — as Apple wants me to be — but I doubt that this will become mainstream for quite some time yet. Also, I wonder what Steve Jobs would think of this…? Would he say that people would be willing to wear this headset (for long? at all?)? What about Jony Ive?
I’m sure the offered experiences will be excellent. But I won’t be buying one, as it’s waaaaaaaaay too expensive.