As indicated in an earlier post, I challenged myself to take an online course on how to create animated GIFs, with Jake Miller being the instructor. I have discovered that creating high quality GIFs sure take some thinking (and time – just like anything else when you first start learning). Prior to taking the course, I would use Snagit to record my screen. Then, with the click of one button, I could say create a GIF. Could I continue to do this? Sure. However, knowing what I know now, I really should keep my audience in mind. They don’t want to watch a GIF that is a minute or longer. Plus, there should me more details provided in the GIF to help the viewer out.
Learning From Others is Important
As my friend Mary Marotta says,
“Sure we have the ability to learn [insert particular tool here]. But you know what, it might be good to find someone who is an expert at [insert tool] to get a different perspective.”
I took her advice recently and decided to take Jake Miller’s #EduGif Academy course online this summer. I have been a big fan of Jake’s as he makes amazing GIFs. It seems as though every day he is sharing a new tip or trick via a GIF he made. (I am not sure how he has time to do all of these but he does GREAT work!)
For the past year, in some of the resources that I have created for teachers and students at the high school I work at, I have made GIFs. I find that GIFs can share the information that you need to in an efficient, quick way. However, I really did not take the time to plan out the GIFs. Instead, I would just record my screen and then convert the video into a GIF. At the end of June, I saw a post of Jake’s promoting his online course and thought, why not…it is time for me to be the student again.
I am writing this blog post half way through the course and could not be more thrilled that I took up this opportunity. Below are two videos that I have created thus far that I plan to use at the beginning of the school year for the students at the high school. You will notice that they are still videos. Jake wanted to make sure we knew the basics prior to moving into GIFs, and by basics…I really mean not basics as I am learning some cool tricks to making my videos that much better.
While these videos are not perfect, I hope you enjoy them. The most favorite feature of the videos you ask? It is the ability to zoom in an out of particular areas of the screen. I feel as though this not only helps the viewer but also makes it ‘look more professional’.
Managing Chrome Extensions
Up-To-Date Chrome Browser
Can’t wait to move on to GIFs.
And that is my Spiel…
Time for a Change
Well, I finally made the jump. I have been wanting to do this now for a couple of years but I was either too nervous to do it, or I told myself ‘I didn’t have time to make this happen’. Looking back at it, those two things were both ‘excuses’ to not making a wish of mine come true. Not sure what I was really worried about. Yes, this process was completely new for me but so easy that anyone can make the shift.
Check Out New View of Gmail
Next time that you are in your School GMail – check out the new view. To get this new look, you must allow Google to make the switch. To do this choose the setting icon on the top right and select “Try the new Bedford School District Mail”.
YouTube Videos and New Settings in Google Slides
This post reminds me of how important it is to continue to learn and grow. Just when you think you might know everything there is to know about a tool, you discover that is not the case.
Google has made some changes recently with Google Slides. I really had not appreciated the change until it became beneficial to me last night. I had seen/read that Google included a video setting for YouTube videos that are included in a Google Slide but never realized to the extent of the features.
Continue reading “YouTube Videos and New Settings in Google Slides”
Craig M Sheil 