Gone Google Story Builder...

Gone Google Story Builder ...


On my down time I like to poke around and surf the internet.  I love stumbling on something new and teaching myself how it works and finding ways I can use it in my classroom.  This weekend I discovered Gone Google Story Builder.  What Gone Google Story Builder does is creates a video of your writing process.  You can have characters, writers, and etc... You type in the windows what each person or character says and the Gone Google Story Builder builds a video.  You can even add music!  You really have to try it for yourself to see it.


Ideas for Gone Google Story Builder:

  • Great way to teach students the process of writing.
  • Great way to visually see a story/writing come to life.
  • Great way to Collaborate.


Here is my little creation: 

Now in Production ....

Now in Production ....

My 6th grade Social Studies classes have been working on Ancient Greece.  They were given the task of creating an artifact from that time period.  They had to then research what the artifact was and how it was used.  Once they had their artifact created, their research completed and typed up then they were to record infront of the Green-Screen.  The goal of this part of the project is to have pictures of their artifact displaying behind them as they tell about their artifact.  Below is an example of our project.  Keep in mind we are still learning how to work with the Green-Screen and I have 20 students in the room while we are recording.  We are also only using an iPad to do our recordings.




Tips:


  • Record in a very quiet area.
  • Students need to practice standing still and delivering their presentations.
  • Have your iPad, Flip Camera, etc... on a stand.
  • Train students to be your "Tech Aides".

The Software:

  • We used the built in camera on the iPad to record our video clips.
  • We used iMovie to create our Green-Screen video project.  We had to change the preferences in iMove to "Show Advance settings" before we can add the Green-Screen effect.


As we finish this project I will post the step by step instructions we did to finalize our Ancient Greece Artifact Project.

Lights, Camera, Recognition ....

Lights, Camera, Recognition ....



I bet you are wondering what in the heck is a Bammy Award and why does Katie Ann what to bring attention to it.  The Academy of Education Arts and Sciences International is aiming to change the publics perception the voices of educators.

Bammy nominations are made by the Academy which is made up of very accomplished, respected and recognized education leaders.  I am currently on the level of Community Votes and am trying to get the Academy's attention.  With your help and votes I could get the attention of the Academy and be honored with a Bammy Award for the 21st Century skills my students and I are working on.  The more Community Votes I get the more likely the Academy will take a closer look at my classroom via social media and my classroom website.

I would like to show that I bring positive recognition to the education field, myself and Pratt USD 382.  So spread the word and help me get the attention of the Academy!

  

Removing a Green-Screen as Easy as 1, 2, 3 with Gimp

Removing a Green-Screen as Easy as 1, 2, 3 with Gimp






I've been playing around with different photo editing tools.  I have always loved Gimp.  It is like Photoshop but the cost is way better, if you like free.  It is a program you have to download and they do have a version for Windows and Mac.

Steps to remove the Green:

  • Always make a copy of the original photo, just in case you really mess up you still have the original.
  • Open your photo in Gimp.
  • Go to Layers and Add an Alpha Channel.
  • In your Tools choose the Color Pick Tool.  
  • Click on the Green background.  It should outline your main subject.
  • Go to "Edit" and choose "Clear". You make have to repeat a few times.
  • Create a New Layer and make sure it is Transparent. 
  • Open the photo that will become your background in Gimp.
  • Using the "Select" tool, select what you want to copy.
  • Go to "Edit" choose "Copy".
  • Go back to your 1st photo, the one you removed the green from.
  • Click on your new layer.  Go to "Edit" and choose "Paste".
  • You will need to click on the "Anchor" icon in the Layer window and "Anchor" it to the new background layer.
I did find a YouTube video clip that shows the steps.  



Tech Tips:

  • Always make a copy of your photo before you begin to edit it.
  • You can always undo something if you mess up or you don't like what the program did.
  • Be patient.