On Friday January 27th, 2012 Google released a video called “A Chrome Superhero”.  http://youtu.be/K_dd7yINXCE.  It is a story of Malachi, a student attending Eastfield Global Magnet School in McDowell County, NC, and the impact Chromebooks have had on him.

This whole story starts back in September of 2011.  Google contacted me asking for some information about our experiences using Chromebooks.  Mrs. Elaine Waters shared Malachi’s experience.  The story was quickly shared within Google.  Google then asked for permission to share on Google +.  Again the story quickly spread.  It was eventually shared by Jeff Jarvis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Jarvis) and Esther Wojcicki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esther_Wojcicki).  You can see the post at: https://plus.google.com/105076678694475690385/posts/YL2Z5qP1zbY

In November, we found out that Google was going to visit McDowell County Schools for the second time for a video shoot of the story.  Google came in early December, treated the staff and students like rock stars and shot the video.  It was a wonderful experience.  I encourage you to watch and share the video.

McDowell County Schools is also featured on Google's Chromebook Website (goo.gl/HGSv1) and in their Education eBook (http://goo.gl/TLHMh pg 73)

Chromebook and Video Editing

Crossposted at: http://mcdowellcountyschoolstechnology.blogspot.com/2011/07/chromebooks-and-video-editing.html

About two weeks ago I purchased a Samsung Series 5 Chromebook.  Eastfield Global Magnet School has expressed some interested in purchasing them for their new 8th grade class.  I like the idea of the Chromebook, especially since both staff and students are now using Google Apps.

One of my main concerns was video editing.  I wasn't really sure that editing video online was feasible.  Today I decided to give it a try using nothing but a Flip Video Ultra, a Chromebook, and Jaycut.com.  I recored a short video of the Chromebook booting up, it is fast!  The file ended up being 16 seconds and was only 10 MB.  Uploading to Jaycut was easy, the flip video was recognized as an external device.  I had ideal conditions with no students on the network.

I have used Windows Movie Maker and iMovie in the past, so I am familiar with movie editing.  Jaycut is pretty straight forward. Drag the video you want to the time line.  I was able to add text.  I played with the transitions, but decided not to use any.  I missed using the spacebar to start and stop the video like in iMovie.  

I published the movie straight from Jaycut to Youtube.  Overall, I am impressed with the Jaycut and editing on the Chromebook.  Again, this was a short video but Jaycut never crashed.  I could never say that using Windows Movie Maker.  Overall,  Jaycut was a quick and easy way to edit a video.  It lacks the polish of iMovie, but it is a great web app.  You can also add Jaycut in the Chrome Web Store. but they do not offer Google OAuth.  Students would have to create accounts.

Somethings I want to test in the future.

1. Longer videos

2. Upload speed when a bunch a students are trying at the same time, especially on wireless.

3. Adding Voiceover

4. Recording from the webcam.
5. Green Screen