Distance Learning Mentoring Group

Minutes for March 6, 2008 CTL Workroom, 3:15 P.M.- 4:45 P.M. AS192

In attendance at the DLMG meeting: Biray Alsac, Scott Gustafson, Shabana Kausar, Misa Vening, Sharon McLaughlin, Jeff Anderson, and Peggy Johnson. Absent: Linda Evans, Alex Cheroske, Laura Kobar, Marianne Arini, and Georgianna Anderson.

BREEZE PRESENTATION SOFTWARE

Jeff showed faculty how to use Macromedia Breeze Presentation software (now called Adobe Connection) to save Powerpoint files for posting on the web. The files are compressed into Flash files, which makes for quick viewing, and audio files can be added that are synced with the Powerpoint slides. Students just need to have Flash on their computer to see the presentation, and most computers come with Flash preloaded. If they need Flash player, they can download it for free from the internet.

The Breeze presentation comes with its own search field. Students can search on a particular term and it will show them all the slides with that term as well as where it appears in the notes (if you used notes). The notes can be used as your script and would be helpful to students with hearing loss.

Jeff showed faculty a short Breeze Presentation for which he had recorded his voice (http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/~jeffa/breeze_example/). Animations created in Powerpoint functioned in the Breeze Presentation and all picture images are present. He also provided a detailed hand-out of directions for working with Breeze.

To use Breeze, you need to have Powerpoint loaded onto your computer (part of Microsoft Office suite). You need to contact the CTL to download Breeze to your computer (send an email to ctl@mcmail.maricopa.edu). Once Breeze is downloaded, you will see Breeze appearing on your toolbar when you open Powerpoint.

You need a microphone to record your voice (audio files). Jeff recommends the Logitech USB desk microphone. It plugs right into the USB port on your computer.

Breeze is loaded onto all the computers in the CTL, so you can also come in and use it there.

After you have completed your Breeze file and published it, you can upload it to any web site, including your WebCT course. If you link to the index.html file inside the Breeze folder, students can access your Presentation. They can go back and forth among the slides and the audio will be correctly synced.

OTHER SOFTWARE

Two other types of software were discussed.

SCRAPBLOG

Scrapblog.com can create slide shows complete with transitions. This free software can embed links to UTube videos (embedded videos don't work consistently within Breeze). To read more about Scrapblog, see Jeff's posting on the CTL wiki at http://ctl.mc.maricopa.edu/blogcast/?p=123

JING

Jing software lets you quickly and easily make a mini-video of what you are doing on the computer (screen captures complete with cursor movements). Each Jing file can't be more than 5 minutes in length and you can't edit out your mistakes (but you can start over). This is a great tool for showing your students exactly what they need to do in your course (like submitting an assignment, posting a discussion etc.) . Find out more about Jing and/or download it at http://www.jingproject.com/

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Our next DLMG meeting is March 20. We will be learning how to use Audacity to create audio files.

REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE TO HAVE MET WITH PEGGY BY MARCH 20 TO SHOW HER A TEMPLATE OF YOUR COURSE. IF YOU HAVEN'T SET UP AN APPOINTMENT WITH HER YET, GET ON IT!!!!!

Have a great spring break!