Animaker vs. Animoto

 

This week I reviewed two of my classmates' technology tools they wrote about in our class eBook Technology Tools booklet. I reviewed Animaker and Animoto, both are video creation platforms that allow users to create different types of videos.

They are both user friendly so if you have yet to experience creating videos you can use either of them with ease. Both have instructional videos to assist with step-by-step instructions on how to use their product. They both provide templates, music, and fonts, with their free version. You can download or publish to other platforms. I can easily see myself using either of them for work.

Animoto allows you to use your own photos and images. Animaker will enable you to create animation and live-action videos. Both provide a professional feel and look to what you create. You can use both for work, school, or personal use. 

I preferred Animoto, it seemed easier to use. I watched a short instructional video, provided on the company website and started using it like a pro. I thought I would like Animaker more than Animoto but realized I prefer Animoto. I had to rewatch the instructional videos for Animaker multiple times and then realized some of the features in the instructional videos were paid features. That seemed a bit deceiving because they did not state in the video it was a paid feature. It was easier to use Animoto, the features were very obvious how to use them. I read and followed my classmates' summary and step-by-step instructions but I generally learn better with audio from the instructional videos.

Check them out for yourself and let me know which one you prefer.

https://animoto.com/ 

https://www.animaker.com/

Exploring Generative AI

 I explored Microsoft Copilot this week. After doing some generative AI research I realized that I've been using some tools for a while at work and with my class work. I for some reason thought it was an expensive tool that I would never access. My first experience utilizing generative AI was with Grammarly and then Quilbot. I'm always worried about my writing skills and my daughter introduced me to these two technology tools. I could write how I normally write, poorly, and run it through either of the two tech tools, change the tone, correct misspellings, and clarify my writing. I felt more confident with my writing after using them but it is time-consuming. I'm a worry wort and would prof everything it generated, and sometimes I would only use a few sentences or synonyms in my final piece. It wasn't until this week's assignment that I used Microsoft Copilot. My phone and email prompt me to use Microsoft Copilot but I've resisted using it up until now. I felt like I would get in trouble because it has been in the news a lot and I didn't fully understand all it's capable of or what I should use it for.

After playing around with Microsoft Copilot I know it will take me a while before I feel comfortable using it with my school work, projects at work or my personal life. I see Copilot as a resource but do not want to get in any plagiarism situations. 

Please share your experience with generative AI, your input is always welcome here!

Microsoft AI Tech Tools for Educators

 Welcome back to my blog!

A colleague shared the Education Blog - Microsoft Community Hub with me recently. What an amazing resource of Microsoft AI tech tools and Microsoft updates for educators. I read the "What's New in Microsoft EDU May 2024" blog by Mike Tholfsen. The blog covered the following topics: Clipchampf or EDU, AI and Teams EDU updates, Learning Accelerators updates, Reading Coach updates, Reflect updates, Teams for Education Updates, and Microsoft Forms updates.

I've only used Teams, but not all of the new features. Here is my quick summary of the blog. Clipchamp is a neat, user-friendly video creation integrated with Microsoft 365. AI and Teams EDU for Educators has five new features. Three of the new features use generative AI to create rubrics, instructions in assignments, and modules in classwork. The other two new features use Reading Progress - AI for passage generation and comprehension question generation. Learning Accelerator updates are Speaker Progress, the update is a private preview. This allows students/individuals to develop public speaking skills. I could easily use this with a customer service training I created in a previous class.  Reading Coach allows learners to earn a new character in a story setting every 20 minutes of reading. This would be useful for students during long school breaks. The Reflect updates is a way for students to take breaks, and increase reading fluency and life skills through wildlife and nature stories. Teams for Education updates integrate Teams Assignments with Learning Accelerators with Learning Management Systems (LMS). Microsoft Forms has three updates. Form/quiz data sync to Excel, forms and callouts can be embedded in Stream video, and the pre-fill link which allows educators to pre-fill default answers to a form.

I can see myself using AI and Teams EDU, Learning Accelerator, and Teams for Education for future training and activities with my team and students. As I was reading this blog it felt like Christmas and all of these tech tools are my gifts! I can't wait to share this blog with my team and school partners. I like Reading Coach for young students and plan on sharing this tech tool with family and friends.

Resources: 

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/education-blog/bg-p/EducationBlog 

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/education-blog/what-s-new-in-microsoft-edu-may-2024/ba-p/4132818 

Editing Images with Microsoft Office Snipping Tool

 I enjoyed the articles and YouTube videos I watched, by Dr. Linkdbeck and prototype:IT about image editing. I have a lot of experience editing images in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Microsoft Email, and Gmail. A majority of what I watched and read was familiar, but I was surprised by the number of features available in the Microsoft Office Snipping tool for capturing images. I’m eager to update some of my old PowerPoint presentations to try out some Microsoft Office Snipping Tool tips I did not know before the YouTube video.

I learned a few keyboard shortcuts. Such as Shift key, Windows key, and S, to quickly access the Microsoft Office Snipping tool to capture everything on your screen. I desperately need to learn this trick to create step-by-step instructions for our dual credit students. It's such a great trick. 

In one of the videos, I learned a few more useful tips. The Mode menu free-form snip has some great features. You can draw a free-form shape around a specific area, such as a drop-down menu, an app, or a dialog box. A full-screen snip will capture the entire screen. The Delay snip will allow you to take a time-delayed screenshot of contact menus, flyouts, and anything else that will close when you click somewhere else on the screen. The delay feature allows you to choose the amount of time in seconds.

Please share the tips and tricks you use with the Snipping tool that makes your work efficient!

Resources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j96f1p92q8w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z34GY__WiYE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNqKytYwz74

https://www.clker.com/clipart-1910.html

Personal Learning Networks (PLN)

After reading Peps Mccrea's article How Personal Learning Networks (PLN) Are Evolving Staff, TeachThought. “3 Ways Personal Learning Networks Are Evolving.” TeachThought, 2 Mar. 2015, www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/personal-learning-networks/#google_vignette. Accessed 24 May 2024., I am convinced that PLNS are important and that change is necessary. In this article, Mccrea discusses three types of PLN evolution. She discusses how to make personal learning networks (PLNs) more genuine and agile, how to test oneself within their PLN, and how to professionalize them. It was refreshing that Mccrea suggests sharing your ideas with your PLN before they are completely formed to seek feedback. I'm always anxious that I won't be able to communicate with others unless every word is perfectly worded. I am quite self-conscious and concerned about how I will be seen. My main concern is that I will be perceived as incompetent. She adds that you should tell who affected you and how you built on others' ideas and ran with them.

Additionally, Mccrea also suggests that you follow individuals on social media whose views are different from your own. Publicly challenging oneself and keeping in mind that the purpose of debate is to criticize the subject matter, not the other person. Others who have interacted with people whose ideas differ from their own have offered the same advice—which is perhaps easier said than done. Her recommendations for professionalizing your PLN around your skill set. Work together, exchange ideas, and utilize a variety of platforms to forge and promote your identity.

Resources:
https://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/personal-learning-networks/#google_vignette

Experience with Professional Learning Networks

Unknowingly, I have taken part in Professional Learning Networks (PLN), especially in my role as a Next Steps Idaho Region 4 Ambassador. As part of my job, I've attempted to develop effective channels of communication with high school guidance counselors, career and college counselors, college recruiters, and support personnel. A Facebook group, questionnaires, and monthly emails were some of the methods used to determine the most effective communication method. I continued to communicate with the four groups via emails and the Facebook group because the poll received a mixed response. After the first year, I discovered that I needed to draw a line between my personal and work lives on Facebook, so I made a professional profile. In this capacity, I joined various Facebook groups under my professional profile to broaden my audience and learn from others. I also recognized the need for a Facebook group for parents to learn about dual credit and post-graduation steps, which I have yet to develop due to the considerable amount of work required. As I write this, I am strongly considering creating the parent Facebook group as a part of the work I complete for my summer OLP 4407 class.

I highly recommend using a range of platforms and resources by high school personnel, educators, and postsecondary recruiters. Our students will benefit more from our ability to effectively work together, impart knowledge, and absorb it from one another. Since my postsecondary colleagues and school partners are rarely in the same building as me, we have to find new ways to interact with one another.

Welcome!

Hello! My name is Nikcole and this is the first blog I am writing for my OLP  4407 course at Idaho State University. My summer class is 6 weeks long, and I will share technology tools I explore and how I believe we can use them to support learning in Human Resource Development instructional technologies.

Please share your input regarding the content of my blog and help me continue exploring technology tools this semester!