Digital+Story+Resources

__**Online Presentation Tools**__ (considerations for tools to use for Digital Stories)
[|Voice Thread] (hint, when browsing, do a search on education or preschool to see what you can find) [|MixBook] - be sure to check out [|MixBook for Educators] [|Animoto] - be sure to click on Animoto for Education [|Google Docs] - Presentation [|SlideShare] [|Microsoft Photo Story] (must download, PC, only) [|Tikatok]is a website where students can create, edit, and publish their own stories. Students can then have their books printed into real soft or hard covered books. The site also features a blog where student books are featured and others can comment.Smilebox = =

__Power Point Features__
We'll use this space to summarize some features and tools of PowerPoint that we review in class. //Please note, because we all have different operating systems (MACs versus PCs) and we have different versions of the software, I will provide general (rather than specific) step-by-step instructions for how to use each feature. For exact step-by-step guidelines for your version of PPT, I would recommend a simple [|google] search (i.e., "Power Point tutorial") and see what you come up with for the version that you use.//

__**Hyperlinking**__ works like links on the web. In PowerPoint, you can link to a web page, another page in your PowerPoint presentation, or another file, such as Word document or Excel spreadsheet.
 * Highlight the text that you want to link FROM
 * Click on INSERT --> Hyperlink
 * Choose where you want to link TO (i.e., place in document, web address, etc.)
 * To test feature, be sure you're in slideshow (not editor) mode

__**Using images as background**__ to enhance the visual effect of your presentation Tired of the same old templates that come with the program, or find that the stark white background is just too plain? Enhance your presentation by subtly using images as your background (see example in the attachment) :


 * Insert any image as you normally would into your presentation
 * Resize to fit to your slide (click / drag corners)
 * Adjust color and brightness using the picture toolbar (or format picture function)

Added note: I found it easier to go the format tab, then click on background. Click on the drop down box, hit fill effects, select picture and then apply to single slide or all slides. (KWP)

__**Using Sound and Audio**__

In PowerPoint, there are a number of different ways you can integrate sound into your presentation. You can add sound during transitions (between slides). Add a sound file (or button) to play on a specific slide, or record narration throughout your presentation or on a specific slide. Depending upon where and how you wish to use sound, will depend upon the feature in PowerPoint you will use to create it.

A few different ways to add sound:
 * **Insert --> Sound and Music** (Play CD Track; from File; Record Narration)
 * **Slide Show --> Record Narration**
 * **Slide Show --> Action Buttons --> Sound**

//Note, to record your own narration, you will need to have either a built-in microphone, or an external microphone. Not sure? On a PC, you can check to see what you have in your Control Panel.//

**Movie Maker and Photo Story**
If you have used Movie Maker or Photo Story to create your digital story project, you must submit the project in **.wmv format**. This means that you will not simply "save" your project and submit the working file. For instance, as you are working on your project and saving as you go, your project is saved as follows:
 * Photo Story - .wp3
 * Movie Maker - .mswmm

These are not acceptable formats as a final version. Only a **.mwv** file is acceptable.


 * **Movie Maker** || **Photo Story** ||
 * * When you have finalized your story, **click on File / Publish Movie**
 * Select **This Computer** and click on Next
 * Give your movie a name (i.e., SmithDigitalStory.wmv). //Do not just submit a file called MyStory.mwv.//
 * Browse for the location to save your movie (digital story). Click Next.
 * Select Best Quality, then click on Publish.
 * Submit the .wmv for review || * When you are at the end of your story, select **Save your story for playback on your computer**
 * Specify a location on your computer (Desktop/ folder you've created); be sure to include your last name in the project (i.e.SmithDigitalStory.wmv). //Do not just call it PhotoStory.wmv//
 * Submit the .wmv for review ||

__**Additional Resources**__

[|Windows Photo Story 3 Tutorial] (online)

[|Windows Photo Story 3 Tutorial](downloadable PDF)

//Do a google search for a tutorial, based on the version of Movie Maker you have as well as the operating system (Vista or XP).//
 * Windows Movie Maker Tutorial**