Ask Mr. Z Blog for Adobe Visual Communicatorhttp://blogs.schooltube.com/robz/Advice and Resources for Adobe Visual Communicator UsersenSat, 21 Nov 2009 11:39:08 PSTMovable Type Pro 4.23-en http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/RobZ Conference Presentations for NYSCATE 2009http://blogs.schooltube.com/robz/2009/11/robz-conference-presentations-for-nyscate-2009.htmlWorkshops & TrainingconferencenyscatepresentationRobZSat, 21 Nov 2009 11:39:08 PSTtag:blogs.schooltube.com,2009:/robz//6.153 NYSCATE_LOGO5.jpgBelow are Rob's presentation agendas for New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education (NYSCATE) presentations, Sunday, November 22 2009.

Using SchoolTube for Safe, FREE Video Sharing Online
Session A:  12:30pm-1:30pm

Learn how schools across the country are using SchoolTube as the safe, moderated alternative to share video productions like student newscasts, classroom media projects, staff development presentations and much more. SchoolTube is the recognized leader for moderated, FREE Internet media sharing for teachers and students. All content must be approved by registered teachers, follow local school guidelines, and adhere to high standards. Learn more at SchoolTube.com

Agenda Topics:

 

School TV Made Easy with Adobe Visual Communicator
Session B 1:45pm - 2:45pm

Serving as Adobe's Model School TV Program , Amherst Middle School's Tech TV Program has been recognized nationwide for producing live "green screened" daily news shows and classroom video projects since 2003.  Join Technology Teacher and Adobe Education Leader Mr. Rob Zdrojewski for an inside look at how affordable and simple Visual Communicator makes school Television production, now possible on any size budget.  Visit http://www.AmherstTechTV.org for more information and to view sample morning shows and student projects.

Agenda Topics:

 

 

 

]]> Below are Rob's presentation agendas for New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education (NYSCATE)...Saturday Morning Greenscreen Fun!http://blogs.schooltube.com/robz/2009/11/saturday-morning-greenscreen-fun.htmlGreen ScreensProject IdeasadobegreenscreenRobZSat, 21 Nov 2009 07:51:07 PSTtag:blogs.schooltube.com,2009:/robz//6.152What do you get when you mix a greenscreen, a Flip Video Mino camera, Adobe software products, and 2 children who love working with their daddy on video experimental projects?  Watch below!

]]>What do you get when you mix a greenscreen, a Flip Video Mino camera, Adobe software products, and...Healthy Living Shows made with Adobe Visual Communicatorhttp://blogs.schooltube.com/robz/2009/11/healthy-living-shows-made-with-adobe-visual-communicator.htmlProject IdeashealthylivingRobZThu, 12 Nov 2009 11:32:47 PSTtag:blogs.schooltube.com,2009:/robz//6.150My students came up with a new show concept-- and we are really pleased with the results thus far.  When asked what kinds of shows can we create that would be of broad interest, the students responded with a variety of ideas.  Since the swine flu is a hot topic now, we decided to focus on health related shows.  Thus a new show was born-- the "Healthy Living Show".

Here is an example:

We even experimented with using Google Docs in a collaborative way, so all students shared a document and brainstormed ideas, and then reserved their topic so all could see (and to prevent duplicate project topics).  We really like what Google Apps for education offers, so watch for more coming this school year as we dive into using Google apps.

Watch our Healthy Living Show projects HERE in our video showcase section of AmherstTechTV.org

]]>My students came up with a new show concept-- and we are really pleased with the results thus...Rejoin Our Discussion Group for Adobe Visual Communicatorhttp://blogs.schooltube.com/robz/2009/11/rejoin-our-discussion-group-for-adobe-visual-communicator.htmlArticles & Case StudiesdiscussionforumgooglegrouprejoinunsubscribeRobZFri, 13 Nov 2009 11:44:47 PSTtag:blogs.schooltube.com,2009:/robz//6.151Hello all,

In order to best fit everyone's needs, I needed to reset all members in our Google Discussion Group at TeachMeVC.com  This change was required so each user can choose their email delivery preferences themselves (digest single email or all emails).

This means I will unsubscribe you, and you need to re-subscribe yourself if you'd like to continue participating in our free user-to-user forum for Visual Communicator users.

Please visit the website and re-subscribe with the email address you'd like to receive messages at:

http://www.TeachMeVC.com

Join us!

]]>Hello all, In order to best fit everyone's needs, I needed to reset all members in our Google...New Pledge Segments Using Flip Video Cameras and Adobe Visual Communicatorhttp://blogs.schooltube.com/robz/2009/11/new-pledge-segments-using-flip-video-cameras-and-adobe-visual-communicator.htmladobecommunicatorflipminovideovisualRobZMon, 09 Nov 2009 12:07:14 PSTtag:blogs.schooltube.com,2009:/robz//6.149what-the-flip-video-mino-camcorder.jpgRecently we began using our handy Flip Video Mino cameras for recording our pledge segments.  Our Tech TV crew kids love using them, as they can do onsite video recording, and then bring footage back for use in Adobe Visual Communicator.

Watch an example in the video below, our pledge segment is about 40 seconds in:

 

]]>Recently we began using our handy Flip Video Mino cameras for recording our pledge segments.  Our Tech TV...Congrats to the Oct 2009 Winner!http://blogs.schooltube.com/robz/2009/10/congrats-to-the-oct-2009-winner.htmlRobZSun, 01 Nov 2009 12:04:47 PSTtag:blogs.schooltube.com,2009:/robz//6.148Congratulations goes out to Mr. Angelo Milicia, a fellow VC user who participated in our October 2009 contest.  Angelo will receive a boxed copy of Adobe Visual Communicator for participating in our new user-to-user forums for Visual Communicator users.

It's simple to participate--just visit our discussion forum for VC users to learn more about using Adobe Visual Communicator for educational, business, or personal uses:

http://www.TeachMeVC.com

 

]]>Congratulations goes out to Mr. Angelo Milicia, a fellow VC user who participated in our October 2009 contest. ...NYSCATE 2009 Conference, Rochester NYhttp://blogs.schooltube.com/robz/2009/10/nyscate-2009-conference-rochester-ny.htmlWorkshops & TrainingcommunicatorschooltubevisualworkshopRobZFri, 30 Oct 2009 12:05:43 PDTtag:blogs.schooltube.com,2009:/robz//6.147 NYSCATE_LOGO5.jpgI'm pleased to announce two sessions I've been invited to present at the annual New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education (NYSCATE) conference on Sunday, November 22nd 2009 in Rochester, NY.

http://nyscate.org/conferences.cfm?subpage=361

 

Using SchoolTube for Safe, FREE Video Sharing Online
Session A- 12:30pm - 1:30pm  

Learn how schools across the country are using SchoolTube as the safe, moderated alternative to share video productions like student newscasts, classroom media projects, staff development presentations and much more. SchoolTube is the recognized leader for moderated, FREE Internet media sharing for teachers and students. All content must be approved by registered teachers, follow local school guidelines, and adhere to high standards. Learn more at SchoolTube.com

 

School TV Made Easy with Adobe Visual Communicator
Session B- 1:45pm - 2:45pm

Serving as Adobe's Model School TV Program , Amherst Middle School's Tech TV Program has been recognized nationwide for producing live "green screened" daily news shows and classroom video projects since 2003. Join Technology Teacher and Adobe Education Leader Mr. Rob Zdrojewski for an inside look at how affordable and simple Visual Communicator makes school Television production, now possible on any size budget. Visit http://www.AmherstTechTV.org for more information and to view sample morning shows and student projects.

]]> I'm pleased to announce two sessions I've been invited to present at the annual New York State...FETC 2010 Visual Communicator Workshop, Orlando FLhttp://blogs.schooltube.com/robz/2009/10/fetc-2010-visual-communicator-workshop-orlando-fl.htmlWorkshops & TrainingcommunicatornewscaststrainingvisualworkshopRobZFri, 30 Oct 2009 11:53:51 PDTtag:blogs.schooltube.com,2009:/robz//6.146 fetc.jpgI'm excited to announce my next Visual Communicator Workshop will be Friday, January 15th 2010 at the annual Florida Educational Technology Conference (FETC) in Orlando, Florida.  FETC is one of the biggest Ed Tech conferences in the nation.  Join us if you can!

Details:
Turn Your Classroom into a Green Screen TV Studio!
Friday Jan 15 2010
Noon-3pm
Workshop Code--FP142
http://www.fetc.org/workshopLists.aspx

 

Also join me for other 1-hour Concurrent sessions where I present the basics of School TV Newscast Production and Using SchoolTube.com:

Using SchoolTube for Safe, Moderated Online Video Sharing
1:50 PM - 2:45 PM Thursday, January 14, 2010

School TV Newscasts and Video Projects with Adobe Visual Communicator 3
9:15 AM - 10:10 AM Friday, January 15, 2010

 

More information on FETC can be found here:
http://www.fetc.org/

 

]]> I'm excited to announce my next Visual Communicator Workshop will be Friday, January 15th 2010 at the annual Florida...TeachMeVC.com NEW discussion group for Adobe Visual Communicator Usershttp://blogs.schooltube.com/robz/2009/10/teachmevccom-new-discussion-group-for-adobe-visual-communicator-users.htmlGetting StartedgooglegroupteachmevccomRobZSun, 25 Oct 2009 19:06:50 PDTtag:blogs.schooltube.com,2009:/robz//6.145http://groups.google.com/group/TeachMeVC

Join the newest trend in discussion groups at google!  I created a discussion group for Adobe Visual Communicator users, since there are a whole bunch of desired features:

1.  Choose how often to receive updates via email or RSS feeds.

2.  You can receive and send messages through your email browser, or visit the site, your choice!  Perfect for those not wanting to check yet another site, and are comfortable with checking email as the preferred method of participating.

3.  Learn from the widest veriety of VC users (education, corporate, personal, government users, etc).

Begin by visiting the Adobe Visual Communicator user group here:

http://www.TeachMeVC.com

As of now, I've configured it so you'll request to join, and I will manually approve you (to prevent spam).  Understand your email is secure and never revealed to the group members unless you decide to do so.  That's the true beauty behind anything google--you decide how much or little profile info is revealed, while still being functional!  Try it today...

http://groups.google.com/group/TeachMeVC

]]>http://groups.google.com/group/TeachMeVC Join the newest trend in discussion groups at google!  I created a discussion group for Adobe Visual...REVISED--NEW School TV Getting Started Package for Adobe Visual Communicatorhttp://blogs.schooltube.com/robz/2009/10/revised--new-school-tv-getting-started-package-for-adobe-visual-communicator.htmlComputer HardwareGetting StartedadobebundlecommunicatorgettingpackagestartedvisualRobZSat, 17 Oct 2009 11:57:39 PDTtag:blogs.schooltube.com,2009:/robz//6.144As of October 2009, view my newest version of the School TV Getting Started Package for Adobe Visual Communicator users.  Since we've found it difficult to obtain the Canon ZR960 cameras, this redesigned package now comes with a firewire converter, among other additions.

The firewire converter we recommend let's you use practiaclly ANY camera (new or old) as long as it has a TV-out cable (many do).  Plus we added a mic mixer and two wired newscaster-style microphones, making this a perfect package for any classroom or office.  Just add your own Windows PC and camera and the package will get you started!

Although intended for education users, this package also is well suited for business or personal users as well, especially if you'd like to make web videos, video newsletters, etc with high quality results.

See the redesigned package here:

http://www.schooltvmadeeasy.com/vendors.cfm

]]>As of October 2009, view my newest version of the School TV Getting Started Package for Adobe Visual Communicator...User-to-User Forum, Participate & Win Visual Communicator Software!http://blogs.schooltube.com/robz/2009/10/user-to-user-forum-participate-win-visual-communicator-software.htmlGetting StartedforumRobZFri, 30 Oct 2009 12:15:12 PDTtag:blogs.schooltube.com,2009:/robz//6.143

Participate in our forums for a chance to win Adobe Visual Communicator 3 software ($149 value!)

To help kickoff and encourage participation in the new AskMrZforum.com site, one randomly chosen participant during October 2009 will win a licensed copy of Adobe Visual Communicator software.

It's simple, just participate by posting questions, comments, advice and/or and responses in our new user-to-user based forum for Adobe Visual Communicator users.

So give it a shot during the month of October 2009.  Don't just read forum entries--participate!  The knowledge you'll gain and questions you post will help the entire community of Visual Communicator users out there.

]]> Participate in our forums for a chance to win Adobe Visual Communicator 3 software ($149 value!) To...Skype and Visual Communicator?http://blogs.schooltube.com/robz/2009/09/untitled-1.htmlLive StreamingDoug MoodyMon, 28 Sep 2009 17:24:57 PDTtag:blogs.schooltube.com,2009:/robz//6.142Submitted:  Hey all. I have a question that occurred to me recently. We have the ability to connect with Skype users both into our building and potentially anywhere else. We would use this capability to show "live reports" of things that are happening elsewhere.
Anyway, can anyone think of an easy way to bring a Skype feed into VC? Perhaps putting it into a virtual window (PIP) and then having it "grow" to full screen?

I'd think that VC would need to see this Skype feed as another camera source, and since you can have up to 3 cams, why not make the skype feed camera 2 or 3? 

To accomplish this though, you'd need to have a separate PC running skype, and that PC would need to have a TV-video out capability on its video card.  Let's call this computer b.  Then feed computer b into a Canopus firewire converter box.  Now connect the canopus box as a firewire device onto your computer running Visual Communicator.  VC will think this is a live cam, when it's really the skype video feed from another computer...

Make sense?  I love these Canopus firewire converters as now you can make ANY video device a camera feed in Visual Communicator!  New or old cams work, no need to find just the right firewire camera anymore...

]]>Submitted:  Hey all. I have a question that occurred to me recently. We have the ability to connect...Business User of Adobe Visual Communicatorhttp://blogs.schooltube.com/robz/2009/09/business-user-of-adobe-visual-communicator.htmlArticles & Case StudiesRobZWed, 16 Sep 2009 19:10:08 PDTtag:blogs.schooltube.com,2009:/robz//6.139Take a look at a very successful user of Adobe Visual Communicator in the business world.  He does a great job using the simple templates and ease of creating videos that look quite professional:

http://www.marketingbestpractices.com/

You can subscribe to receive his newsletters too.

]]>Take a look at a very successful user of Adobe Visual Communicator in the business world.  He does...NEW! Online Forums for Adobe Visual Communicator Usershttp://blogs.schooltube.com/robz/2009/09/new-online-forums-for-adobe-visual-communicator-users.htmlHow-To Articles and VideosProject IdeasaskmrzforumcomforumRobZFri, 30 Oct 2009 12:16:17 PDTtag:blogs.schooltube.com,2009:/robz//6.141

It's here!  It's here!

Welcome to a new way for Adobe Visual Communicator users to connect in a new format-- an online community forum for ALL VC users.

The TeachMeVC.com site is now ready and awaiting your questions, comments and ideas.  This new method of communication will help us all help each other.  Think of it as "teachers teaching teachers" as we collaborate and share ideas and what works and what doesn't in regards to school TV production.  Whether working on live newscasts, classroom projects, or having trouble, this is a venue of support that is needed for Adobe Visual Communicator users worldwide.

Please visit the forum to say hello, as you'll see some topics I've started.  Feel free to post your own topic starters too. 

Enjoy the new TeachMeVC.com site! 

]]> It's here!  It's here! Welcome to a new way for Adobe Visual Communicator users to connect in a...Open House Night Video- Made With Adobe Visual Communicatorhttp://blogs.schooltube.com/robz/2009/09/open-house-night-video--made-with-adobe-visual-communicator.htmlArticles & Case StudiesProject IdeashouseopenRobZSun, 20 Sep 2009 17:50:12 PDTtag:blogs.schooltube.com,2009:/robz//6.140This year we wanted to do something a bit different for our 10 minute "speech" to the parents attending the annual Open House Night at our school.  So using Adobe Visual Communicator, we decided to create a "video tour" of the units we teach in Technology Education at Amherst Middle School.

Sure we could have pre-recorded these segments, and had the benefit of starting over if we flubbed our lines, but hey what fun would that be?  We decided to perform LIVE so parents could see Visual Communicator in all it's simplicity.

Below is the 5th and final performance we recorded, and our performances became better each time we did them.  Suffice to say, this will now be an annual event for us as it went over extrememly well and was highly effective showing what we teach in our classrooms.

Production Note-- nearly all of what you see was created exclusively with Visual Communicator, except for the classroom footage which we used our handy Flip Video cameras for, worked great!

 

]]>This year we wanted to do something a bit different for our 10 minute "speech" to the parents...