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Digital Movie Creator- is recommended for use in Scottish Borders Council schools

Details

Digital Movie Creator version 3 This is the latest version of the Digital Movie Creator and so far it has proved slightly disappointing.  The sound quality on this version seems to be much poorer than on the previous version 2. The Network Team have explored the technicalities behind the problem but basically it is a fault in the product which the manufacturer is unable to improve. 

However the product still has various strong points:- It is excellent for stop-motion animation, and if sound commentaries are needed in these, they can be added later.  The software is excellent for teaching primary pupils about simple video editing, without the cameras needing to be available.  Neither the version 3,or the version 2 of these cameras were designed to be used for recording, for example, a class assembly. One of the other cameras listed below would be better for this type of use.
What is this equipment ?
This small video camera can be easily used by pupils to capture still photos, and up to 4 minutes of video. Connects via USB port to SBC Network computers where the software is already installed. 
Where can I see this ?
Langlee curriculum ICT staff have a number of these which can be borrowed for short periods by schools. Schools are encouraged to purchase their own.
Possible suppliers, costs
TAG learning has supplied SBC to date and units are delivered with a very useful 'Ideas' booklet. Cost approx £85, with a slight reduction if SBC uses bulk purchase.
www.taglearning.co.uk
Enquiries Contact Christine Tait SBC HQ, for purchasing
Contact Liz Marroni for Staff Development input.

Resources
  pdf

  pdf		 An Introduction to the Digital Movie Creator 1 (from TAG Learning)

An Introduction to the Digital Movie Creator 2 (from Tag Learning)
 

Please note  The software which comes with either Digital Movie Creator 1, or Digital Movie Creator 2, or the latest Digital Movie Creator 3  is specific to the version. The software is not interchangeable. Please make sure that you inform the Network Team of which version of the camera you are wanting to install the software for. The software is a school site licence if the camera was originally purchased either from TAG learning or RM. If you did not purchase it from either of these companies then it is unlikely to be site licence.

The camera itself is a little blue device with a viewfinder. The handle fits into a USB cradle/tripod that you plug into your computer's USB port. The software is already installed by SBC Network Administrators on the RM Connect Networks in the ‘Our School Software’ yellow folder on the desktop.
When you plug in the camera, all you need to do is pull the trigger to start recording. (Batteries need to be added to the camera itself if you are using it out of its cradle.)  The camera can hold up to up to four minutes of video footage in its own memory. This can focus pupil’s attention on selecting their shots carefully. Longer video clips can be stored if it is sitting on the cradle. The video is surprisingly clear, but this is not camcorder quality. The video editing software is basic and simple to use. It is easy to import and edit the results by way of drag and drop thumbnails. Short movies can be exported and saved for use in, for eg, PowerPoint
Links 'Play Digital Blue' website
'How to...'  Information

Teaching Ideas

Science - Water. For younger pupils. Take the camera to different parts of the school (or environment) where you can film water moving/flowing. For example, a short 5 second movie of a toilet flushing, of a tap running, of a kettle boiling, of someone splashing in a puddle. Where else ?
Forces. Take very short film sequences to illustrate  'pushing' or 'pulling', or 'twisting' actions around the school.
Make a short movie to record an experiment with magnets to show the 'repelling' force between like ends of a magnet. Put one magnet on a little truck with wheels. Point the end of the second magnet near it. Film it either 'attracting' or 'repelling'.
Film objects rolling down a ramp. Make a chart to record you results. Copy/paste into Powerpoint and insert the short movie of the 'winner'.
Bodyworks.  Illustrate peristalsis in the oesphagus by filming a tennis ball being squeezed down a long sock. Insert into a PowerPoint presentation.

Language - In one school the teacher encouraged pupils to record their short Book Review on film.  This led to an enthusiasm for reading, and finishing their novels!!
Record a brief dialogue between two pupils who are role-playing a scenario between, for example, mother and daughter, or two characters from a story or historical event.
 
Stop-motion animation Make a small plasticine model of the oesophagus (two horizontal lines of plasticine and a small ball of different coloured plasticine to represent the food ) and make a stop-motion animation movie to illustrate the process.
This could be extended into a more complex activity looking at the whole of the digestive system.

Make a short stop-motion animation which could illustrate a simple message like ' Pick up litter''  or 'Three ways to dispose safely of chewing gum'.
Pupils film simple home-made puppets acting out a short scene from a well-known story.
Make a 20 second advert to publicise your enterprise product. Pre-planning is essential !

View the example films. Explore video-editing with these.
The Digital camera software comes with some example films.  Many of these examples relate to Space travel.  Watch some of these movies . Compose a news-type commentary to go with an example film.