Start your own classroom news channel with Newsmaker

First off as I don't usually promote paid software unless it is really worth spending money let me say that Newsmaker is not free. 

What is it?  Newsmaker is a new program I purchased for our school in 2010 as we have been exploring setting up our own classroom radio and television stations and it is really a brilliant software package that we are using on an almost daily basis of late to achieve this goal.

Newsmaker compiles the process of scripting, teleprompting and recording your literacy session into a full blown video news story all within the one program with ease. 

If you are using a laptop or desktop with a webcam and microphone then you are good to go straight away.  You can either import text or write it within the program and then Newsmaker will set up a Teleprompter for you to read as it records you doing this.

My only complaint is that Newsmaker soes not offer built in chroma - keying for Green Screen users or the ability to add titles or credits. 

You can do all of this yourself of course with other video editing packages after you have finished with newsmaker but it could be achieved all within the one program.

How can I use this in the classroom?  Newsmaker could be used in nearly any form of literacy and if you are stuck for ideas elsewhere there are lesson plans located on the newsmaker site itself.

All in all Newsmaker has been a real winner with students and staff and you can download a 30 day trial here.  Pricing will vary depending on location but it was definitely a cheaper option in comparison to some other educational packages out there.

Myna Multitrack Audio Studio - Garageband Online for Free

What is it:  I have not really found a product that is even closely comparable to the quality and simplicity of Apple's Garageband for budding musicians and loopers and it would have to be a real selling point for Apple  to teenagers who want be creative and create something fresh and cool.  Well after about an hour of playtime I have to say that Aviary's multi track Audio Studio Myna is a close second and quite possibly the web cloud based applications I have yet seen. 

This multitrack (Maximumof ten) recording studio allows you to record and edit audio through your browser without destroying your original file add a range of audio effects such as pans, loops, fades and publish the final product to your desktop or publish it online via your Aviary account.

Better still Myna comes with a library of riffs from Quantum Tracks that can be used for educational purposes, and a few sound effects from other sources. You can upload your clips to the service as well, and record directly from your computer take your pick.

Finally it looks great and will be a sinch to kids and anyone who has ever used a linear based editing suite such as Garageband, Vegas or Audacity.

How can I use this in the classroom:  Make a podcast of a literacy task?- Make a Music track combine the two into a dramatical old style radio theatre piece or simply try and produce your first hip-hop track.  Really the sky is the limit with this one and I am sure you will be full of great ideas specific to your kids needs and wants.

My first impressions of this are that it is excellent and a must try for you and your students - Demo Video included below and Myna can be found here.

Start your own TV Studio at School Series

This year our school has increasingly used film in the classroom to create some pretty impressive and amazing learning experiences that have proven winners with students, staff and parents. 

Film is as easy and cost effective as it has ever been and you should really be looking at film as an excellent platform to support your curriculum program across all year levels if you are not doing so all ready.

This is a a pretty massive area to cover so I am going to cover the areas below with at least one section addressed weekly as a minimum.  Obviouslly I will still be posting regular news and ideas on top of this also.

1:  Start with the end in mind - Linking curriculum to Film Creation.

2:  The Right Tools for the Job - What to buy and what to avoid wasting money on.

3:  Editing, Publishing and Sharing:  How to churn out a film Spielberg would be proud of and sharing it with your intended audience.

4:  The Green Screen:  What can you do with a Green Screen and how to use it.

5:  Going Further:  What are some outlets for your budding film makers and what can they do next.

Stay tuned to this channel - subscribe to our RSS feed if you want to keep updates and if there is anything else you would like to have added or have any feedback I'd love to hear it.