Media Suitcase
Comments(0) Presenter: Dr. Chris Henige, UW-Whitewater
Problem: Felt that he was wasting time in class showing videos, listening to audios, etc.
Solution: A “system” that allowed the instructor to post text as a guide along with media (e.g., audio, video, images, slideshows) in one interface. Was actually able to move one day of class to the web.
The first “system” was developed in Flash that was driven by external xml and css sheets. Not very scalable/sharable, especially for those who are not familiar with these languages/applications.
Media Suitcase: Created to make it easier for users to develop interactive online modules combining text and media.
How Media Suitcase works:
- Must set up a separate module
- Any text in the module must be entered in the system
- Any media must be uploaded to the Module Creator
- Can add the following info for each module: Intro, Goals/Objectives, Links, Readings, Topics, Finish
- Topics: A topic is a button that appears in the module. Media is inserted in each topic. “Cues” can appear in each topic and can be synced with media file. For example, if a 90 second song is playing, an image could appear at 3 seconds, some text could appear at 35 and 50 seconds, and another image could appear at 73 seconds. Each “cue” would provide relevant information to what’s happening in the media at that point.
- After info and media have been uploaded, an xml file is created to package everything together.
- Can preview package
- When ready, export module as a .zip file
- Extract files and open index.html to begin module.
To share with students:
- Can store entire folder on D2L and then link index.html file.
- Files could also be stored “publicly” on a web page.
- A CD could be created and distributed to students.
Media Suitcase can be used on other campuses if (1) a MySQL server is set up and (2) LDAP is set up for authentication. Raw .FLA files would be incluced in case anyone wanted to reorganize/reformat the interface. Anyone in UW System, however, can use this system through UWW.
Currently not SCORM compliant but plans are in the works to make it as such.
Interface/Format of system/module cannot be modified unless the .fla files are modified.
This system could be great for captioning media.
Weaknesses…
Need to link to all of the separate modules in D2L.
Can pull all the modules together in one slideshow/package but .xml file would need to be modified. Plans are in the works to make this possible using the Media Suitcase system when exporting.
URLs:
First System: http://stori.uww.edu/henigec/mediasuitcase/units/sampleunit/index.htm
Media Suitcase site: http://mediasuitcase.uww.edu
**Need to contact UWW LTC to get access to this site: ltc@uww.edu**
Packaged system using separate media suitcase files:
http://stori.uww.edu/wota/modules/SampleShow
VoiceThread: Web-based tool for having asynchronous discussions using audio, video, and text.
http://voicethread.com/#home