Embedded Media HTML Generator

Digital video is very popular these days. Many teachers and students are creating digital videos for their teaching and learning activities. However, putting a video online and embedded in a Web page is challenging for many teachers and students. The Center for Instructional Technology at the University of California, San Francisco has created an easy-to-use Web service called “Embedded Media HTML Generator” which generates the HTML needed to embed QuickTime, Real, Windows Media, and Flash files in your Web site. You simply choose the format of the video you want to embed (Flash, QuickTime, Real Media, or Windows Media Video), you fill out the form detailing file names and locations as well as any optional settings (desired width and height, auto play, and looping) and hit submit. You will then be presented with the HTML codes. All you need to do is copy the generated HTML codes and insert directly into your web page. It is very simple and easy process.

OpenOffice

I have always been a big fan and supporter of Open Source software. Considering the limited technology budget and resources we have in most schools, we should examine Open Source software option before spending a lot of money for purchasing commercial software. One of the Open Source software I recommend highly for students, teachers, and schools is OpenOffice. OpenOffice is a great productivity suite for those who could not afford Microsoft Office.

OpenOffice is free to download, use, and distribute. It was previously known as StarOffice before it became an open-source project in 2000. OpenOffice is available for many different operating systems including Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Solaris. It supports the OpenDocument standard for data interchange. It is a multi-lingual (more than 60 languages), integrated productivity suite, and contains all of the same components as Microsoft Office, as well as others, OpenOffice comes with OpenWriter - a word processor, OpenCalc - a spreadsheet , OpenImpress – an electronic presentation, and Draw – a drawing package.

Most importantly, OpenOffice is a fully featured office suite compatible with Microsoft Office, Word Perfect, Lotus and other office applications. It can read and save files in Microsoft Office formats, like .doc for word processing files, .xls for spreadsheet files, and .ppt for power point. Also, OpenOffice Base can read table structure and data from .mdb (Microsoft Access) files. In addition, there is a portable version of OpenOffice. You can install the entire office suite in your jump drive so you can take all your office applications, documents, and everything you need to work with them wherever you go.

OpenOffic is very easy to learn and use particularly if you have used Microsoft Office before. If you have never used OpenOffice, why not give it a try. You can download it at www.openoffice.org. You may be able to help your schools, colleagues, and students save a lot of money from buying an expensive office suite.

Open Source for Schools

Open source refers to software programs that are distributed with the source code. The open source license allows users the freedom to run the program for any purpose, to study and modify the program, and to freely redistribute copies of the original or modified program.

Open source is changing the nature of the software business in many settings. The open source movement is also impressive in education. With a tightened budget in schools these days, more and more schools are exploring the open source option. Many teachers and schools have embraced open source for economic, pedagogical, technological, and philosophical reasons. Open source does not require licensing fees. The technology utilizes an open architecture which is secure and reliable. Open source may offer less expensive, more reliable access, which is essential for integrating technology into school classrooms. Using open source, school can provide quality and reliable software for less money that does not require newer, more expensive computers to run it. Schools can install or upgrade software systems without costly licenses every few years.

I think open source could be one of the solutions for managing inadequate technology budgets in schools. There are many excellent open source software available for K-12 schools. SourceForge.net is an excellent site with a large open source software collection. Schools administrators, technology coordinators, and teachers should explore the open source application for teaching and learning and examine steps to implement open source solutions.