Thing+11

=Thing 11: Ready, Set, Slideshow!=

Introduction
In Thing 10, you explored Flickr and selected several digital photos from the Creative Commons collection. There are many Web 2.0 services that allow users to easily create and share slideshows by **embedding** them in a blog, wiki or website. In this thing, you are invited to use your selected Flickr photos to create and embed a slideshow.

Some **basic instructions** about **embedding** are included at the bottom of the page, **hints for each particular site** are included in the descriptions and here are some powerfully helpful screenshots for finding the embed code on each site.
 * Embedding** is the act of publishing media such as a slideshow or video clip WITHIN a blog, wiki or webpage. The **embedded media can be viewed, played or "interacted with" directly** inside the blog post or the wiki page -- instead of being a link that requires you to download the media or takes you to a different webpage to view it. Every video you have watched as part of your discovery exercises during this course has been **EMBEDDED**.
 * You want me to do what?**

Discovery Exercise
Check out each of these example slideshows (a tiny sampling of the possibilities available for creating digital stories, photo albums and multimedia slideshows online). Each is **embedded** in the page. My chosen theme was related to how you may (or may not have) felt when you started this course. I created them using several photos from Flickr Creative Commons. Please note the ATTRIBUTIONS I have provided at the bottom of the page, below the slideshows. Each includes the photographer's username and a link to the photo page in Flickr. Be sure to create a similar attribution list for your slideshow.

**¤ AMAZING RESOURCE ALERT:** If possibilities for digital stories get you //geeked up// (and they should), here is an AMAZING resource from Alan Levine (a.k.a CogDog) called **50+ Web 2.0 Ways to tell a Story**, in which he shares MORE than 50 possibilities for creating online slideshows/stories like these. For you adventurous types, please feel free to try exploring and making a slideshow using any of these you like!

Although Alan has provided examples from more than 50 sites, for this Thing you'll have the choice of 4 sites. Following Alan's example, I have created the same story four times to illustrate what is possible with each site.

Rock You! - []
This site adds rock music as a standard, and there are dozens of song options, but you can choose "no music" if you prefer, which I did because it would play automatically when the page loaded. It has lots of options for the look of the slideshow -- I chose "old movie," obviously, just for fun. //You do not have to register to use RockYou,// //but if you'd like to edit your slideshow, you can create an account - Easy to do and free.////.//

media type="custom" key="6461931" align="center"


 * ‡ HELP Tip: ** Just use the **MYSPACE code** (copy the code in the yellow box) for RockYou! More help.

**Slide.com**
This site also offers dozens of themes, features and options for your slideshow. //You do not have to sign up to create a slide show,// **however,** you will not be able to edit your slideshow without joining.
 * []**

media type="custom" key="6461909" align="center"


 * ‡ HELP Tip: ** Just use the **MYSPACE code** for Slide.com. Copy the code in the white box and ignore the rest of the steps. More help here.

Slideroll.com
www.slideroll.com Slideroll.com works much like a video editing program, but do NOT let that intimidate you. I really liked the interface, which uses drag and drop technology. Adding music and transitions was fairly simple, as was publishing. They don't have all of the effects that Slide.com or RockYou has (at least at first glance) but I DO like having the ability to have text on my images.

media type="custom" key="6462069" align="left"



‡ HELP Tip: **For screen shots and embed code help, go here.

ImageLoop.com
www.imageloop.com Upload images from computer or flickr or upload PowerPoint files. Select from animated templates. You don't need to create an account in order to use this product, which is great news for using in a school environment. HOWEVER, it is VITAL that you copy and paste the code into your blog or wiki page and then save to test it BEFORE leaving the page if you didn't register. Once you've gone from it, you can't go back and edit without registering. media type="custom" key="6462143"


 * ‡ HELP Tip: ** For screenshots for this site and how to find the embed code, check out these images.


 * Attributions - Photo Credits (I used ten photos to tell the story):**
 * 1) Alone by Giampaolo []
 * 2) Katun by Zarko Drinic []
 * 3) The Journey So Far… by Pangalacitc Gargleblaster []
 * 4) Information hydrant by Will Lion []
 * 5) DSCN3133a by bente_aj []
 * 6) Shopping Mall Questions by wok []
 * 7) This is serious mum by david_a_lea []
 * 8) Helping Hand by Rishi Menon []
 * 9) Freedom Force iPhone Wallpaper by cybjorg []
 * 10) Disney Holiday Wishes (2) (Explored) by Express Monorail []

Task
Create and Embed your own Slideshow! There are many possibilities for using slideshows to enhance classroom learning, and most slide show tools are fun and relatively easy to work with. Also, embedding is an essential Web 2.0 skill. A crucial part of becoming technology literate in the 21st century is being able to "figure stuff out." Thus, I am not providing training-wheel help resources for each slide show site, though I am providing help with the embedding part. Play around and see what you can do!


 * One task, three steps.... **

1. Select **one** of the slideshow tools above and create a slideshow using your 3-5 (or more) Flickr CC photos from Thing 10. 2. When you have finished your slideshow, **EMBED** it into your sandbox wiki page **AND** in a blog post (because it's good practice -- help on that here.). Be sure to include proper attribution for all photos -- that means a link to the photo on Flickr and name of photo/photographer. 3. Write a **brief blog post** (one solid paragraph at least) describing your slideshow. Be sure to include **"Thing 11"** in your post title.


 * ‡ HELP Page: ** Embedding Slideshows into Wikispaces and Edublogs