Undergraduate Support
General Recommendations
This list highlights some of the resources for multimedia production tools that are supported by the TTL (ED 2010). Recommendations are based on common questions; however, actual requirements for your project might differ. Feel free to ask the TTL lab manager if you have questions.
File storage
Computers on campus delete any local files when you logout. To avoid losing work, keep all your materials on another device or virtual file storage.
Recommendations:
- Flash drive (at least 2 GB), dropbox.com, Oncourse My Workspace (2 GB)
Image, photo manipulation
Images & photos come in different file formats (jpg, gif, png, tiff), resolutions (size in pixels), and density (in dpi). As a rule of thumb, the better the quality of the image, the larger the file size. In general, it is better to start your project with higher resolution images and scale down later.
Recommendations:
- File formats: jpg, png, gif
- Resolutions: iPhone-size (480x320), TV (640x480), widescreen (720x480)
- Software: MS Office Picture Manager, iPhoto, Adobe Photoshop
Image & Music Web Resources
If you plan to download images or music from the Internet that are not your own, please make sure you check for copyright. It’s good practice to document the location of the files when you download in order to cite your source accurately.
Recommendations:
Images/Photos (provide copyright-free images, citation required)
Music/Sounds (provide copyright-free music, citation required)
Audio recording & editing
A microphone and a quiet surrounding are essential for good audio-recording. The MP3 file format usually provides a small file size and is supported by almost all applications (iPod, iTunes, Windows Media Player).
Recommendations:
- Audacity is an easy to use free audio recording software for both PC and Mac
- GarageBand comes with MACs and has a selection of jingles. If you plan to include a narration with a background music, GarageBand can automatically lower the volume of the music when they narration starts.
Video editing
Working with video files can differ depending on devices (e.g., camcorder, cell phone, Flipcam) and brands (e.g., Sony, Flip, Olympus) used to shoot the footage. Unfortunately, certain file formats are not support by each system (PC & MAC) or movie editing program (Windows Movie Maker, iMovie) and one is left with the choice to convert files or use a completely different program. Furthermore, video clips tend to be fairly large in size and need to be reduced in order to be shared online.
Recommendations:
- Set aside time for planning, producing, and editing your video.
- Check beforehand whether the file format on your device works with a particular video editing software on a PC or MAC.
- Keep your final product in mind (HD quality, YouTube) when producing videos.
- File formats: mp4, mov, wmv
- Resolution: iPhone-size (480x320), TV (640x480), widescreen (720x480)
Software:
- Windows Movie Maker (version 2.6 or 3.0): for beginners [All TTL staff can support.]
- iMovie (MAC): has more features such as title animation, transitions, backgrounds and templates/themes. It might be confusing to users who are not familiar with Mac. [Some TTL staff can support.]
- Adobe Premiere Elements/Pro: is used by professionals and can be downloaded from IUware. Video tutorials are available on http://ittraining.iu.edu/lynda/. [Some TTL staff can support.]
- Adobe Media Encoder: useful conversion program for file formats
Website
To publish your website on the Internet, you generally require an editor to create webpages as well as server space for storage. Some programs offer settings that limit access to webpages (privacy settings).
Recommendations:
- Google Sites: free webspace & easy to use editor
- Weebly: free webspace & easy to use editor
- Mypage: webspace for IU students
- Adobe Dreamweaver: Dreamweaver is used by programmers and can be downloaded from IUware. Video tutorials are available on http://ittraining.iu.edu/lynda/.
Campus-wide Resources for Undergraduate Students
IU offers various methods and formats for students to learn and practice technology skills in numerous applications. University Information Technology Services (UITS) is the central location on campus for all things related to technology (http://uits.iu.edu/).
UITS IT Training & Education:
● This is the main page for all IT training and education opportunities at IU.
● The award-winning lynda.com Online Training Library© offers training on Adobe applications, open source software, Macintosh applications, multimedia and web programming technologies, and more.
● STEPS instructor-led workshops are available on Adobe CS5 and Office 2010 applications, multimedia, web development, programming and more. STEPS Certificate Series help you learn skills in depth by attending a series of related workshops. Workshops generally take place in the Wells Library and seating is limited.
● Full text electronic reproduction of books on networking, programming languages, desktop and office applications, the Web, computer hardware and software, databases and other information technology topics.
Software
● IU students, faculty, and staff can download a wide variety of software packages at no charge, including site-licensed products from Adobe, Microsoft, and others.
● The help desk provides general walk-up support for PC & MAC.
● IU students have access to STCs located all over campus. Visit the homepage, to view a list of locations and available software/hardware. The STC in the School of Education (ED 2011) currently offers a large selection PCs and MACs including the latest software applications (Adobe, Microsoft, iLife).