Animate Your Audio with Adobe Express

If you’ve ever used tools like Chatterpix or Blabberize…

…or some of the crazier filters in TikTok and other video tools, you know how fun it can be to see a cartoon character animated to look like you’re the voice of it.

And, if you’re a teacher, which I assume you are, you probably also see potential for using this in the classroom with your students.

Well, Adobe Express is making this idea super easy with their new AniMAte from Audio tool.

It just takes four steps:

1. Select 1 of the available characters. There are 38 available. I’m partial to Steve. I’m not sure what he is, but I like his mustache.

2. Once you have your character, you can choose from a variety of backgrounds. You can even select a green background so that you can cut the background out in a video editing app. You can also choose a variety of dimensions organized by different platforms like, for example, Instagram.

3. Once you’re all setup, you’ll need some audio. You can either upload an audio file or record it right there.  Your limit is 2 minutes. Once you’re done, you can trim that audio at the beginning or end.

4. Then, you’re ready to export it.  By the way, you can also go back into the editor to change the character, background, or dimensions without losing your audio!

[Image Source: https://www.adobe.com/express/feature/video/animate/audio ]

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EdTech Tool Comparison: Screencastify VS Loom

Screencastify or Loom? Trying to decide which of the two big dogs in classroom screencasting to use? Well, I’ve got your back. And not only do I have your back, but I have it in 4 formats: text, infographic, video, and podcast. Choose your flavor and get your learn on!

If you decide to use one of them, check out my Screencastify and Loom tutorials!

🍦 Flavor 1: Infographic

To access this Infographic in a screen-reader friendly version, please click the link to the Google Slides project in the description.
To access an up-to-date version of this infographic or to use it with a screen reader, please access it at as a Google Slides presentation at this link.

🍦 Flavor 2: Podcast

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/15243647/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/ffab40/” width=”100%” height=”90″ scrolling=”no” class=”podcast-class” frameborder=”0″ placement=”top” use_download_link=”” download_link_text=”” primary_content_url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/eduducttape/EdTech_Tool_Comparison-_Screencastify_VS_Loom.mp3″ theme=”custom” custom_color=”ffab40″ libsyn_item_id=”15243647″ /]

🍦 Flavor 3: Video

🍦 Flavor 4: Text!

Continue reading EdTech Tool Comparison: Screencastify VS Loom

Using Screencastify Free in the Classroom!

One of the most important tools in remote learning, face-to-face blended learning, or a hybrid setting is a tool for recording videos in order to deliver content to students. While there are a handful of great options, Screencastify is one of the most commonly used, especially in gSuite for Education schools.

Check out the video below to learn about using the free version of Screencastify in your classroom!

Trying to decide whether to use Screencastify or Loom? Check out this post.

Using Loom Pro (Free for Educators!) in the Classroom!

For years I recommended Screencastify as the best, if not only, screencasting tool for the classroom. Well, times have changed. It’s still one of the best, but it’s certainly not the only.

When more educators than ever before turned to screencasting to deliver content to their students in the Spring of 2020, many flocked to Screencastify… but many also flocked to Loom.

And now that Loom has given educators and students free-forever access to the Loom Pro plan–unlimited videos with unlimited length and more!–it’s not a surprise that many of them are trying out Loom.

Check out the video below to learn about using the free pro version of Loom within the Chrome browser (or on Chromebooks)!

Trying to decide whether to use Screencastify or Loom? Check out this post.

 

 

 

 

#EduDuctTape Episode 42: Sarah Thomas, PhD!

Image shows a picture of Dr. Sarah Thomas and the text "Dr. Sarah Thomas on the Educational Duct Tape Podcast, #EduDuctTape, EduDuctTape.com, Episode 042, 6-3-20

In the 20th regular episode of Season 2, I am joined by Dr. Sarah Thomas, ISTE co-author and founder of EduMatch, to talk about growing your professional learning network (PLN), crowd-sourcing solutions to problems, and using tools like Voxer, Periscope, Twitter, Skype, and Flipgrid.

See the Show Notes Here

Link to this Episode on YouTube!
Listen on YouTube!

 

 

 

Check out this awesome quote from Sarah’s appearance on the show!

Continue reading #EduDuctTape Episode 42: Sarah Thomas, PhD!

Make #EduGIFs in WeVideo!

For years, people have asked me how they can make #EduGIFs like mine. When I respond and say “I make them in Camtasia,” there’s normally a 2-3 minute delay while they look up the cost of Camtasia. Then, there’s another question:

“Any less expensive options?”

Camtasia is a fantastic piece of software and is 100% worth the cost if you plan to use it a lot. For video creators, I highly recommend it. But I understand why people are looking for a less expensive choice. Unfortunately, I’ve never had a great answer for them. While I have this post that goes over alternative options, none of the free or low-cost options allow much editing. In that very same post, I go over some of the things that I value in Camtasia, and as you can see, the other tools have few (if any) of those features.

Check out my “Awesome Classroom Uses of #EduGIFs Created with Screencastify” post to see 19 ways that you can use GIFs.

Enter WeVideo!

Well, now I’ve got a new tool to suggest. If you have a WeVideo for Education account (they’re currently free until 6-30-2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic school closures), you can now make GIFs within WeVideo!!

Check it out in the #EduGIF below and then, under the GIF, I’ll share some of my thoughts on this new option.

This animated GIF shows the process of creating a screencast GIF, what I call an EduGIF, in WeVideo.
Pausable version of this #EduGIF available here.
Note: This GIF was created in Camtasia as its still a better tool if you have access to it.

Things that I’m excited about:

Continue reading Make #EduGIFs in WeVideo!

#EduDuctTape Episode 41: Catlin Tucker!

Image Shows the episode title & a picture of the guest, Catlin Tucker

In the 19th regular episode of Season 2, I am sharing an episode with Catlin Tucker, author of Balance With Blended Learning, where we talk about how teachers can streamline feedback during class time so that they have less to do outside of class time. Catlin shares strategies from John Hattie and Mark Barnes as well as a handful of great tech tips to make feedback more efficient!

See the Show Notes Here

Link to this Episode on YouTube!
Listen on YouTube!

 

 

 

Check out some of Catlin’s mic-drop quotes from the episode below…

Continue reading #EduDuctTape Episode 41: Catlin Tucker!

#EduDuctTape Episode 40: Supporting Students with Special Needs in Remote Learning!

Graphic shows the 8 guests from this show along with their names and the title of the episode.

In the 18th full episode of Season 2, I share tips, ideas, and recommendations from multiple educators about supporting students with special needs during remote learning. We discuss different accessibility features and assistive technologies within Chromebooks, iPads, Google Chrome, Microsoft and more, as well as some best practices, accommodations, and modifications.

Thanks to my friends who shared: David Allan, Catherine Day, Hillary Goldthwait-Fowles, Angela Greene, Lauren Hawkins, Pam Hubler, Matt Meyer, Jennifer Pearson

See the Show Notes Here

Link to this Episode on YouTube!
Listen on YouTube!

 

 

 

Check out these quotable moments from this episode . . . 

Continue reading #EduDuctTape Episode 40: Supporting Students with Special Needs in Remote Learning!

#EduDuctTape Episode 39, Part 3: Remote Learning!

Graphic Text: New Episode! Special Remote Learning Episode, Part 3: - Tracking Student Progress in Remote or Home Learning 3.23.2020

In the 3rd and final part of Episode 17 of Season 2, Jake continues his coverage of edtech ideas and suggestions for Remote or Home Learning during the covid-19 pandemic closures. In this episode, Jake shares the perspectives of 3 educators (plus his own) for tracking students’ progress during remote learning.

See the Show Notes Here

#EduDuctTape Episode 39, Part 2: Remote Learning!

In the 2nd part of episode 17 of Season 2, I continue my focus on the use of technology for #RemoteLearning, #HomeLearning or #DistanceLearning in the age of school closures for the coronavirus (covid-19).  Multiple guests share their advice for formatively assessing students in these scenarios. Tools discussed include Quizizz, Zoom, Google Forms, Google Classroom, Screencastify, Edulastic, EdPuzzle, PearDeck, and Formative. Also, my son Cohen joins to show off his comedy chops.

See the Show Notes Here