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In this issue:

It's Time to Vote!: ScreenChamp Awards Best in Show
New Blog Posts: November Blog Recap
Ask TechSmith: Send Us Your Questions!
User Story: Showing Students the World... Through Blogging
User Story: Helping Clients Become Social Media Rockstars
Snagit Tutorial: Add Stamps and Callouts
Snagit Expert Tutorial: Add Interactive Hotspots
Snagit on Mac Tutorial: Add Special Effects
Camtasia Studio Tutorial: Learn the Callout Basics
Camtasia Studio Expert Tutorial: Callout Tips and Tricks
Camtasia for Mac Tutorial: Learn the Callout Basics
Camtasia Relay Tutorial: Edit Your Captions
Screencast.com Tutorial: How to Upload Content
Morae Tutorial: Search for Data Recordings
Letter from the Editor
New App: Coach's Eye is Now Available!

User Story: Showing Students the World... Through Blogging

Linda Yollis, QuadBlogger extraordinaire, has been teaching at the elementary school level in Los Angeles, California for 25 years. She currently teaches third grade, but she's taught combination classes and fifth grade for many years. Linda was named Teacher of the Year by the Las Virgenes Unified School District for 2011. She also recently completed her master's degree, with a focus on integrating technology in the classroom.

How did you hear about QuadBlogging?

I first heard about QuadBlogging through Twitter when David Mitchell tweeted out his new educational blogging idea. He started the QuadBlogging website and invited teachers to visit, share their blog URL and relevant information, and he would help classes form QuadBlogs. QuadBlogging is a fantastic way to connect with classes all over the world and start building educational relationships.

This is the second year of QuadBlogging for us, but my quad group did not come together via David Mitchell's website. We had been "blogging buddies" already and formally became a QuadBlog once we heard about the great idea. We volunteered to create the video to help promote the QuadBlogging project. It's a wonderful way to connect educational bloggers.

How did you first connect with other schools in your quad?

I started a classroom blog in 2008. As I was learning about blogging and visiting other blogs, my class and I would frequently leave comments on classroom blogs. Kathleen Morris and Kelly Jordan from Australia, Judy McKenzie from New Zealand, and Jonah Salsich from Connecticut, all had exceptional educational blogs. Our classes started exchanging comments through our blogs and some of us even met each other via Skype calls. The relationships formed through our blog comment sections and have grown ever since.

What have been the positives that have come out of QuadBlogging? Has it changed your classroom dynamic/lesson plans?

With QuadBlogging, four classes form an alliance. Each week, one blog is the focus and the three other classes visit, get to know the bloggers, and leave quality comments. This dedicated structure brings visitors to a blog and provides many opportunities for students to respond to their readers. Having an audience is the key! The student bloggers are motivated to read, create, and respond to their QuadBlogging buddies. They build confidence as writers and strengthen their literacy, technology, and geography skills along the way.

The Ugandan Global Project is a great example of work you've done with your quad. Can you tell us more?

The Ugandan Global Project (UGP) was a fundraising effort by six elementary schools from four different countries. The purpose was to raise money for the African Rural Schools Project and students at the ABC Divine Foundation Primary School in Mutundwe, Uganda, Africa. Kathleen Morris and I had done one collaborative project together already. We were looking to find a new project that would raise the social conscience and global awareness of our students. As a runner, Kathleen wanted to incorporate a fitness walk/run in the fundraising efforts as well.

We decided that on October 22, 2010, each class would complete a fundraising walk for Uganda. Many Ugandan students walk several miles every day to get to school and receive an education. Our walk was in recognition of their daily effort. I created a movie to launch our project using Google Earth and Camtasia Studio software. The project raised nearly $20,000. Kathleen Morris created a summary video for the project.

This year, your quad focus is the Our World, Our Stories blog. What are your goals for this project?

We are always looking for new ways to meaningfully integrate technology and enhance learning. The Our World, Our Stories blog is our newest endeavor. This project brings seven elementary school classes from six different countries together to share about their lives. Children so enjoy learning from one another, and this project has energized the students and provided a forum for exploring similarities and differences. It's a virtual field trip every day! Each week a different class leads a topic and the other groups can join in through commenting or by publishing a post on the topic of the week. The subjects include: typical school days, recess games, favorite foods, etc. The project will culminate with a group song that I will publish using SlideRocket and Camtasia Studio.

How did you hear about Camtasia Studio and how are you using it?

I attended a presentation by Eric Marcos a few years ago. I won the raffle prize which was a Camtasia Studio license. Lucky me!

Here are a few projects I've done with Camtasia:

Check Out Linda's Classroom Blog »

User Story: Helping Clients Become Social Media Rockstars

Madalyn Sklar, president of Social Networks for Musicians (SN4M), is an entrepreneur, music business coach and consultant, blogger and author. With SN4M, Madalyn helps musicians and music businesses effectively create and manage their social networks. She's also the founder of GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest and largest online community supporting women in music.

Madalyn shouted out to us on Twitter with a photo, and we followed up to learn more about how SN4M is helping musicians find harmony with social media with the help of Camtasia Studio, Snagit, and Screencast.com.

How long have you been using Camtasia Studio, Snagit, and Screencast.com with SN4M?

I've been using Camtasia Studio, Snagit, and Screencast.com for over two years. I first heard about TechSmith when Jing came out. I was intrigued with it and enjoyed doing screen captures. After experimenting, I had great ideas on how to make helpful "How To" videos for my community of musicians and music companies. Then, I realized I needed more functionality so I bought the Camtasia Studio/Snagit bundle. I have since used both very often in my business.

How are you using the software with SN4M?

Camtasia Studio makes it so easy for me to teach people how to do things with their social media. For instance, when I want to show a new client how I implemented a function on their Facebook Page, I'll whip out a quick "How To" video tutorial showing the process. Additionally, I love to inform, so I make short "How To" videos focused on Facebook, Twitter, ReverbNation, etc., and post them to my YouTube or Screencast.com. Camtasia Studio has increased my business production and helped boost my credibility over the years as a leader in social media. Prior to this, I conducted tele-seminars. Nothing compares to "seeing" it in action with video, versus a conference call where people have to visualize what I'm saying. This makes a big difference!

I probably use Snagit most frequently. I utilize the screen shots of various items on the internet; most often for references or keeping track of items for a client. Or, I might use it to show examples of things in a blog post.

I have researched various sites and ways to post videos online. I was most impressed with Screencast.com. I signed up with the Pro Account which gives me plenty of storage and bandwidth. I've been using it for years because of the speed I can get my videos uploaded directly from Camtasia Studio. I like the folder utility, where I can populate it with videos and then password protect it for a client or for those purchasing one of my video tutorials. It's very quick and easy.

As someone involved with the music industry, if you could give TechSmith software a theme song, what would it be?

The first thing that pops in my head is the old Linda Ronstadt song, "It's So Easy To Fall In Love." Seriously! I am in love your software. I use all of them every day in my work. It enhances everything I do.

Check out more of Madalyn's tutorial videos at SN4M's YouTube channel and her blog.

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