SlideBoom creates narrated presentations which can be viewed in Desire2Learn. Slideboom is a web-based tool that converts Microsoft PowerPoint files (including recorded audio) to a format that is ideal for sharing e-learning content with students over the web.
There are several advantages to using SlideBoom for creating narrated presentations.
Slideboom makes it very easy to publish your presentation. Once uploaded, the presentation lives on the web which allows for reliable viewing. The disadvantage (for some) is that the presentation lives on a website and could potentially be accessed by those outside the class, albeit very unlikely.
If you create a script for your presentation, this script can be copied and pasted into the “notes area” in PowerPoint. Slideboom with automatically create closed captions from the notes. This is especially useful for students with disabilities or for students who prefer to read the presentation while listening. See http://uwmltc.org/?p=5106 for more information.
With Slideboom, it is easy to copy presentations from one semester to another since large media files are not stored in your D2L course site.
Slideboom provides an online profile listing all your presentations, similar to a YouTube channel. Here is an example of the web channel for a SlideBoom account: http://screencast.com/t/3oejtw6f2Mm
This tutorial is written for Mac users using the Office 2011 version of PowerPoint. If you are running Office 2008, you can use this tutorial: http://uwmltc.org/?p=5908
Before you begin:
In order to create narrated PowerPoint presentations using Slideboom, you will need to setup a free account at: https://www.slideboom.com/register (do not upload files as a Guest)
It is highly recommended that you use microphone headset for recording your voice. This will assure that the microphone remains at a fixed distance, creating a consistent volume level throughout the recording process. We suggest the Logitech® Stereo Headset H390: http://bit.ly/p670G3 However, any noise-cancelling, USB-connected microphone headset should suffice.
You must have a completed PowerPoint presentation. Your verbal presentation should not exceed 40 minutes. If you plan a lengthy presentation, please contact the LTC for assistance.
It is best to create a script to use when recording your presentation. This script can also be copied and pasted into the “notes area” (located below each slide in the “Normal” view) in your PowerPoint presentation. The presentation can then be converted to a PDF containing slide images and text using the following tutorial: http://bit.ly/vveHcf Text transcripts of your presentation are more accessible for students.
In order to distribute the presentation through Desire2Learn, you must be enrolled in course site as an [Instructor]. Please contact the LTC for assistance with D2L user management.
For additional information and frequently asked questions about recording narration in PowerPoint, see: http://uwmltc.org/?p=5740
Step #1
Ensure that your microphone headset is plugged into your computer. Open Microsoft® PowerPoint® 2011 on your Mac.
Under the [Slide Show] menu.
Select [Record Slide Show].
Step #2
The first slide of your presentation will appear and you can start to record your narration. When you have completed the narration on each slide, WAIT for a few seconds before moving to the next slide. If you review your recording and find that the end of your recording has been cut off, re-record using the instructions in Step #1 and wait for several seconds before moving to the next slide.
To move to the next slide, you can click the forward arrow or space bar on your keyboard. There is also a menu at the bottom of the screen with options for navigation, but most presenters find the keyboard commands to be easiest to control.
Step #3
At the end of your presentation, move forward (click the arrow key) and you will be prompted [Do you want to save the slide timings?]
When prompted, click [Yes].
It is important to save slide timings, especially if you are re-recording a slide. Otherwise, the timing from the previous recording will be saved and your audio may be cut off.
Step #4
At this point you can listen to your presentation by clicking on the [Slide Show] icon on the bottom left of the window in [Normal] view, or clicking on the [Slide Show] menu and selecting [From Start].
If you wish to re-record a slide, see Step #5.
Step #5 (optional)
If you want to re-record a single slide, click on the slide in the preview area.
Repeat Step #1. Under the [Slide Show] menu, select [Record Slide Show].
When you have finished re-recording the slide, hit the ESCAPE (ESC) key to terminate the recording process and prevent re-recording the next slide.
Proceed to Step #3. You will be prompted [Do you want to save the slide timings?], click [Yes].
Step #6
In order for the narration to be heard in Slideboom, you’ll need to modify the way PowerPoint plays the audio files. To do this complete Step #5 through Step #8, in order:
In [Normal] view, click on the first slide and then click the “speaker” icon on the slide.
Step #7
Step #8
With the “speaker” icon on slide #1 selected, highlight all the slides in the presentation by scrolling to the bottom of the slide preview, holding down the SHIFT key on your keyborad, and selecting the last slide in the presentation.
Step #9
With all the slides highlighted, pull down the menu next to [Start:] and select [Automatically].
Step #10
When you are finished with your presentation, [Save] the file as a [PowerPoint Presentation (.pptx)].
Step #11
Go to https://www.slideboom.com/ and click [Sign In]. NOTE: If you have NOT setup a free Slideboom account (do not upload files as a Guest), click [Register] or go to: https://www.slideboom.com/register
Enter your Slideboom username and password.
Click [Sign In].
Step #12
Click [Upload].
Step #13
Click [Browse] and navigate to the location on your computer where you have stored the PowerPoint (.ppt) file for your presentation. Select the file.
Click [Upload].
Step #14
OPTIONAL: You may change the name of the presentation and add a description.
You must select a [Topic]. Most instructors choose [Education].
Make sure that [Anyone can view my presentation] and [Allow embedding this presentation at other sites] are selected.
Click [Submit].
Step #15
Your presentation file will begin uploading. You can monitor the progress in the progress bar.
Once uploaded, click [View Presentation].
Step #16
Once you are viewing your presentation, you can obtain the “Embed Code” necessary for distributing the presentation from D2L:
Click [Embed].
Step #17
Select the text (code) below [Embed code:] and copy by hitting [CTRL+C] on your PC keyboard or [Command+C] on your Mac keyboard.
Step #18
Once the Slideboom embed code is copied to your clipboard, you can paste the code into a Content item in D2L using the instructions below:
Login to D2L and go to your course site. Click on [Content].
Step #19
Option #1 – if you have already created the Module in which you’d like to place your presentation, click [Table of Contents] Identify the Module title from the list of Modules.
Option #2 – if you need to create a new Module in which you’ll place your presentation, click [Add a module…]. Provide a title for the Module.
Step #20
Pull down the menu under [New].
Select [Create a File].
Step #21
Provide a [Title] for your video.
In the HTML editor, click the [Insert Stuff] button.
Step #22
Click the [Enter Embed Code] tab.
Paste the text you copied from Slideboom by hitting [CTRL+V] on your PC keyboard or [Command+V] on your Mac keyboard.
Click [Next].
Step #23
You will see a preview of your presentation in the window.
Click the [Insert] button.
Step #24
Once you return to the [Create a File] window, select [Publish].
Step #25
You should see the embedded player in the window. You (and your students) can control the play and volume from here.