Youtube, Google and Science Videos April 26, 2007
Posted by Brian in : Uncategorized, digital imaging, video , 3commentsWhilst talking to a colleague, Irene Sommerville, about the use of videos in the classroom she asked if I knew of any way to download videos from google or youtube.
She had been keen to show a google clip in one of her classes but found that due to the current speed of the network it was impracticable to wait the length of time necessary that the clip needed to “load up” on the google website before being able to be shown.
The only way I knew was to download the google videoplayer but I think Irene really wanted a store of videos that she could call up at a couple of clicks.
This morning Irene told me she had found a website called vixy that will take the URL of the google or youtube video and convert it into an AVI file that can be saved on your desktop etc. If you want to give it a try click on the image below and let me know what you think.
I haven’t really had a chance to try it out but thought I would let people know about it and see if it could be of any use in compiling a database of videos that can be readily shown in schools that struggle with the speed of their connection.
Technorati Tags: youtube, google, vixy
Edinburgh Glowing March 27, 2007
Posted by Brian in : Edinburgh, GLOW, Uncategorized, digital imaging , 1 comment so far
I didnt manage to log on to the Glow portal last night.
I had quite a bit on my mind so went for a walk in Holyrood park which is close to where I stay.
Turning the corner I was confronted by a glorious sunset.
I happened to have a digital camera on me so I whipped it out and took a few pictures. It looked to me as if Edinburgh was Glowing.
How appropriate
Click on either of the pics for a larger image
The Chalkwell Mystery - MGS Science Transition March 23, 2007
Posted by Brian in : Uncategorized, digital imaging, edubuzz, social media , 3comments
The Chalkwell mystery is the name of the science transition project produced by Musselburgh Grammar science department.
The project entails P7’s from our feeder primaries getting to solve a mystery through forensic science.
Before visiting school pupils watch a short film starring 1st year pupils who themselves solved the mystery last year.
On their visit to the science department the pupils carry out various scientific experiments to determine who carried out the ghastly deed.
Previously, the film had been placed on to a DVD and a copy sent to each of the feeder primaries. This year I suggested it may be an idea to use social media and place the clip on google video so that each of the primaries could view it that way. This was somehow interpreted as “yes I will film it, edit it and upload it to google video”. Not that i minded, it was great fun.
The excellent script and direction were provided by Ms Moore of our English department and the whole project was overseen by Mrs Goodbrand our head of science.
After filming yesterday, I edited and added the titles last night then uploaded it onto google this morning. You can see a couple of the screenshots on this page.
As its East Lothian policy to have parents/guardians permission before posting images on the internet, until all the slips have been returned the Chalkwell mystery will remain private and unlisted by google.
The permissions forms for East Lothian are available from the edubuzz website by clicking HERE
Many thanks to all who took part especially the actors who played their parts splendidly.
As soon as its ready for release I’ll post a link so that you too can have the opportunity to see what happens in the Chalkwell mystery.
Digital Image Editing March 6, 2007
Posted by Brian in : Exc.el BLogs, GLOW, Uncategorized, digital imaging, social media, teachmeet, web 2.0 , 5commentsAt the last GLOW mentors in service day I was part of a team with Dr Robin Strain and Tess Watson tasked to come up with an in service on digital imaging.
The idea of the course is for staff to acquaint themselves with the hardware and software needed to start working with digital images.
Part of the course will cover basic editing of images. Not all the PC’s in East Lothian schools have editing software installed therefore for everyone to be able to carry out this function a good online editor had to be found.
There are a few out there so I thought I would run through the features of some of them and ask for any others that people would recommend.
A very basic picture editor that lets you resize, crop, rotate, adjust brightness, saturation and hue. Its advantages are that
- no registration required
- it has unlimited undo and redo.
- can handle large files (up to 10mb).
- imports from anywhere on the web.
- handles all file formats.
- can save edited photos to your own flickr account.
With its large, easy to use, buttons this could come in very handy in primary schools and will definitely merit a mention in the final in service presentation.
PXN8 is a very feature rich photo editing application and whilst it may not have the same visual appeal as Snipshot it does let you do a bit more.
- zoom in and out.
- use filters to enhance photos i.e remove red eye, whiten teeth.
- spirit level function to straighten up pictures.
- fun features such as snow, text and charcoal effects.
This is another excellent online application that should make the cut. It offers a bit more than snipshot and may be popular with those wishing to experiment with photo editing.
Phixr is an application that we came across on the day of the GLOW mentors in service and it seemed to tick all the boxes but recently I have had difficulty in getting it to work. It now works well due to the hard work and excellent customer service from the guys at Phixr.
- no need to register with session time of up to 2 hours.
- preview effects before applying.
- variety of effects and photo overlay option.
- email the photo from Phixr itself, or upload it to Flickr, FotoPic, Photobucket, Fotolog, Buzznet, DropShots and LiveJournal.
This was the leading contender. Problems with the website may, however,put this one on hold for the time being.
This is the leading contender thanks to the hard work put in by the guys at Phixr who have managed to get it working in our schools. Excellent customer focus.
If you want to try any of these site out then just click on their logo. Let me know what you think of them and which you think would be most apt for use in schools.
Also if you have come across a good photo editing site then please again let me know and the team will evaluate it for its inclusion in the forthcoming Teachmeet roadshows.
Happy editing.
Powered by FireStats