Multimodal+Essay

Multimodal Essay (Assignment 3) and Student Examples

 * Assignment**: Compose a multimedia essay using Powerpoint or other multimedia applications (see below). The essay should at the very least use a slideshow of visual images and words to make a point (i.e. convince an audience that something is true or some action need to be taken). It should be narrowly focused and media rich. It may be a website; it may include video clips and sound clips.


 * Topic:** See Assignments Page


 * Audience**: other college students.


 * Formats**: powerpoint (note the small "p"), slideshow video essay, podcast, video, website, wiki, mashup, something else I haven't thought of (Twitter?? Facebook?? Blog??). The only medium that I really discourage is the "talking head" video, one in which you sit down in front of a videocam and record yourself delivering a written essay. When possible, Powerpoint-like presentations should stand alone as self-running movies (in "kiosk mode").


 * Possible Tools:**


 * Presentations in Sliderocket (top-of-the-line web-based slideshow creator)
 * Powerpoint (Windows/Mac) or Keynote (Mac) or Impress (from openoffice.org; Mac or Windows). //Note: I////f your slideshow includes transitions and builds or audio, you will need to save the file as a movie first (Windows Powerpoint users will need to download the program PPT2YouTube from . Upload the movie file to YouTube and share the URL of the movie in a short document in the proper folder in GoogleDocs..//
 * Audacity (for recording and editing podcasts or other audio files). Free.
 * GarageBand (for recording and editing enhanced podcasts, or other audio files). Free with all Macs.
 * iMovie (Mac) or MovieMaker (Windows)
 * GoogleSites (Website) Free; web-based; makes collaboration a breeze.
 * Yahoo Pipes (mashup) Free; web-based
 * Wikispaces Free; web-based
 * iMovie (mac) or Moviemaker (Windows)
 * JayCut Free web-based collaborative video editor.


 * Technology workarounds**: if you have a videocam, you have the capability of recording video and/or audio, which can be imported into your computer for editing. Many still-shot digital cameras can also record video and audio snippets. Digital voice recorders can also export to your computer for editing. And at least one web-based podcasting site allows you to phone in your audio, which you can then download and edit in Audacity.


 * Procedures:** This is uncharted territory. Fortunately there are tools coming online to facilitate the collaborative creation of multimodal intellectual projects. Decide on a specific topic, a composing and presentation genre, and a means of collaborating (if you wish). Once you have decided on a plan of action, I will give you as much specific help as I can, especially in terms of the technology.


 * YouTube**: Alexi Kapterev's //Death by Powerpoint//

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 * Student Examples:**

__[|Final Draft Energy Powerpoint]__.

__[|Benefits of Wind - Final Draft]__.



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