Boxmind logo
Boxmind at the University of Leeds

University of Leeds

Introduction    Content Issues    Preparing Content    Using Boxmind     Help


Transparent Spacer
Overview

Video

Slides

Transcripts

PREPARING CONTENT

Overview

Steps to creating a presentation:

· Discuss your needs with the Learning Development Unit LDU and Media Services.
· Try the software by putting together a demo presentation.
· Plan your presentation.
· Prepare individual components (video, transcript, Powerpoint, etc.).
· Bring together and publish in Enlighten.
· Incorporate the presentation into your teaching programme.
· Evaluate.

When you are planning a presentation you may wish to think about the
following:

· Learning outcomes.
· Story board, links, interactivity.
· Learning styles of your students.
· Production – cost, time, schedule.
· Ways of accessing the materials by your students.

The main components of a Boxmind presentation are video, text and images/slides. The remainder of this page helps in the preparation of these elements, prior to bringing into Boxmind.

Top of page

Preparing Video

The table below takes you through the basic steps required to produce a video in an appropriate format for Boxmind. For more information you are advised to consult Media Services or visit the ClickandGo web site.

ClickandGo is part of the JISC/DNER programme for Teaching and Learning. They offer a comprehensive web site which covers all the information needed to integrate video with other media and to present them over the Web. This includes 'How to do it' guides, easy-to-follow tutorials and guides to learning and best practice.

Do you have existing video that you want to use?

YES

NO

This may be:

  • recorded from TV broadcasts
  • filmed by yourself
  • filmed by Media Services
  • bought for a specific purpose

The easiest option is to pay Media Services to make the video for you.

Alternatively, there is a camera available for loan from the Media Services

Advice on recording is available in the Boxmind help menu and from the ClickandGo website.

Is the video in VHS or digital format?

Digital

VHS
 

Before you can use your video you will need to convert it to digital format.

You can pay Media Services to do it for you.

Alternatively if you have a large volume of material you may want to set up your own PC and software to do this.

For more advice check out the ClickandGo web site

Do you need to edit your material?

NO

YES
 

If you wish to edit the video yourself you need special software to do this. One of the most common packages is Adobe Premier and is available from ISS

Alternatively you can pay Media Services to edit your materials for you.

Is the file in one of the following formats: Windows Media Video (WMV or ASF) or RealMedia (RAM)?

YES

NO / DON'T KNOW
 

You can check the file format by right clicking on the file and looking at it's properties. If it isn't already in this format you need to use Windows Media Encoder to convert the file. Window media encoder is available for download on the Boxmind download page. Using windows media encoder.

Alternatively if Media Services is preparing your video for you, you could ask for it to be prepared in this format.

Your video is now ready for using in Boxmind

Top of page

Preparing Images/Slides

The images or slides can be imported as standard Powerpoint files or graphic images. Flash movies can also be used.

Acceptable Formats:
Powerpoint
GIF file (cartoon like images)
JPEG file (photo like images)
HTML
Flash movies

The size of images on gif or jpeg images must be 400x300 pixels or less; otherwise, the viewers will have to scroll to see all of the slide.

The text-based slides are created in HTML. More information is available in the Boxmind help menu.

Powerpoint will export your slides for you as images. You will lose any animations and sound effects. You can export individual slides or the whole of a powerpoint slideshow. To export as images choose File/Save as and then gif (Jpeg for photographs). Powerpoint will create a file containing each of your individual slides.

Top of page

Preparing Transcripts

The most efficient way of creating a transcript for use in Boxmind is to have the full script saved in a Word Processor, and then imported into Boxmind. Once imported it can be edited as appropriate. You can, however, choose to write directly from within Boxmind.

Files must be in a Rich Text Format file (RTF) or plain text file (TXT). They can be saved in this format from Word.

Top of page

 

© University of Leeds

Please send any comments on the web site to Joanna Brown

Supported by the Learning Development Unit