Online Sildecasting with Showbeyond

Showbeyond is a multimedia online sildecast that allows users to create presentation though images and audio.  Showbeyond is also an online publishing platform and allows users to share their stories. Audio files can be downloaded/recorded or voice narrative can be recorded. The platform of showbeyond is similar to slide of PowerPoint presentation. Showbeyond offers several background and fonts. The program will auto save the ongoing project. 

In addition to the demonstration of how to use Showbeyond, Dr. Yuen still offers many useful class-reading materials as follows:

·         Dr. Yuen’s blog about Showbeyond at http://scyuen.wordpress.com/2008/01/31/showbeyond/
·         Showbeyond Quick Tour at http://www.showbeyond.com/docs/tour
·         Showbeyond FAQ at http://www.showbeyond.com/docs/faq
·         Showbeyong Review by Teach Web 2.0 at http://teachweb2.wikispaces.com/Showbeyond

We were required to use Showbeyond to create a slidecast. Dr. Yuen identified the following requirements for our slidecast:

·         A title slide,

·         A minimum of 12 images,

·         Audio or music

·         A short statement (text) to tell story on each slide.

Furthermore, we had to embed our Showbeyong file on our class social network with the preferred embed width in 480 pixels or less. The following are steps by step of how I create my showbeyond. 

I. Sign up for a free account at www.showbeyond.com 

II. Start a project by clicking “Create”.

3.     

            III. Upload images to Showbeyond.

a.       Through computer

b.      Through URL

c.       Through Flickr

d.      Through Picasa

4.      IV. Editing your slidecast story.

a.       Each slide

                                                               i.      Add title slide

                                                             ii.      Add text slide

                                                           iii.      Duplicating current slide

                                                           iv.      Delete the current slide

b.      Podcast

                                                              i.      Insert Audio Narration

                                                            ii.      Delete Audio Narration

                                                          iii.      Record Background Music

                                                          iv.      Upload Background Music

                                                            v.      Get Background Music from URL

                                                           vi.      Delete Background Music

c.       Images

                                                              i.      Fit as

                                                            ii.      Fit as

                                                          iii.      Fit as

                                                          iv.      Fit as

d.      Style

                                                               i.      Changing background style

e.       Duration

                                                              i.      0.5 seconds

                                                            ii.      1 second

                                                          iii.      2 seconds

                                                          iv.      4 seconds

                                                            v.      8 seconds

                                                          vi.      16 seconds

                                                        vii.      32 seconds

                                                       viii.      Manual Input 

To add text

To Update Sequence

5.    V. Click “Share Story” to begin sharing your story.

I decided to create a slidecast presentation on useful Web 2.0 applications for Fashion Merchandising students. I grouped Web 2.0 applications that I have learned from IT 644 or have utilized before into three categories that I believe they are useful for my students. I started my project with using Jing to screen capture each Web 2.0 application. Then, I utilized the online converting programs to change the image file formats.  I rearranged images to the correct order.  Next, I added the text describing each image. Unfortunately, while I uploading an audio file to Showbeyond, my project was collapsed. I posted my question in the blog. Within 12 hours, the showbeyond’s team answered my post. It was very quick response considering Showbeyond is a free web application.

            Since Showbeyond staff informed me that they could not retrieve my project, I had to redo my project. I decided to create my project through PowerPoint first. I found that I had more control for the adjustment of images and length as well as place of text for each image. I then converted the PowerPoint file to JPEG. Next, I uploaded my JPEG images to Showbeyond. I found an appropriate music for my slidecasting project. Next, I changed the duration of each slide to match the length of text.  Then, I uploaded my audio music to Showbeyond. Finally, I shared my story with private restriction.

I believe Showbeyond is a powerful tool for both education and business purposes.  However, I have not had time to ponder the proper assignment using Showbeyond for my future classes.