Visual Communicator

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Permalink Reply by Chris Parker on January 13, 2011 at 7:28am

We are using it with our Middle Schoolers for the same purpose.  Getting the software to work was an adventure.  We have found that it's great when it works, but there are so many ways it can go wrong (i.e. a box unclicked) that it's difficult to troubleshoot under pressure.  We added a soundboard ($99) so we could regulate the sound inputs separately much more easily.  We have used powerpoints as well.  Videos can be iffy depending on the format.  You also have to be sure to have enough RAM on your computer and the appropriate video & sound cards.  I can't speak to that-- our techs worked well with us!

Permalink Reply by Susan Elmore on January 15, 2011 at 8:36am

I think adventure is a good way to desribe our process as well.  We are recording now and having fun doing each program but still learning something new each time we record.  One of our problems is learning how much to include in any recorded program.  Because we are limited to one webcam we change backgrounds, add still images, and change back to the camera more often than VC can sometimes handle.  We compare it to building a tower with wooden blocks and you never know when you add a block if this might be the one that sends it all crashing down.  We haven't tried power points yet but will be  working to add our first video next week.       

Permalink Reply by Rob Zdrojewski on January 13, 2011 at 8:31pm

Absolutely!

For visual communicator resources, try these:

Schooltvmadeeasy.com
Teachmevc.com
Askmrzshow.com
Amhersttechtv.org

I teach summer workshops for adobe visual communicator too, see details at schooltvmadeeasy.com

Permalink Reply by Susan Elmore on January 15, 2011 at 8:17am

I have your schooltvmade easy set and these have been very helpful but, as with most things in life, our equipment does not always work exactly like the tutorials show.  We have begun recording news programs using VC and our elementary students and faculty are very enthusiastic.  We have a canon camcorder that does not have firewire, purchased a pinnacle box to convert, but, alas, this has not worked.  Currently, we record programs using a webcam.  This works fine but I believe the camcorder would give us a better quality video.  Yesterday we did sussessfully download a short clip from the camcorder but first had to send the video from the camcorder, through Zamzar to change into wmv format, and finally into VC - but it worked.  We're not sure if the camcorder is not compatible with VC or if there is a setting that needs adjusting.  But, even with glitches, the students are  wowed with anything we do!