Youtube explained

YouTube How to: Create interactive videos within YouTube. Easy step by step instructions from PT Innovate Ltd

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The possibilities of YouTube can be mind blowing! While all of YouTubes features could be useful to some, my aim is to demonstrate how simple it can be to create interactivity within a video. This would then turn a video into a tool designed to inspire learning.

First step is to create a YouTube account. Go to YouTube.com then select “sign in” from the top right hand corner. There will then be two options. YouTube is now part of Google. If you already have a Google account sign in using that account. Alternatively select “create an account” then complete with your details.

To start using YouTube you will need to upload a video. After signing in select “Upload” from the top right hand corner. The screen shot below demonstrates the web page that will then be displayed.

There are several upload options. However if you have a video file available to upload just drag and drop where indicated. NB by default all videos uploaded are public! However it is simple to change this setting to private or unlisted at anytime. People you choose and also have a YouTube account can only view private videos. (A private video cannot be embedded within a blog or Webpage because you are not given access to its HTML code) Unlisted means that anyone with the link can view however the video will not show up in search results or on your channel. Once the video has been uploaded it will take a short while to finalize, this is size dependent.

How to access your videos

I don’t find YouTube navigation intuitive and there are several different ways of achieving the same end. I have included a step-by-step guide.

1. Log into YouTube

2. Select the drop down arrow as indicated on the screen shot, then click on “My Channel”

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3. At the top of the page you will see select this to access all of your videos. Each video will have an edit option next to it. Select the drop down menu as indicated in the screen shot below for options.

Now the fun can begin!

• Info and setting is where to go to alter basic setting i.e. privacy / name / tags / info / thumb nails etc.

• Enhancements allow you to trim, auto-fix, stabilize and combine videos. Filter can be applied to give cartoon / documentary / sepia and many more effects. Special effects allow the blurring of faces.

• Audio 150,000+ tracks available categorized as follows: Alternative & Punk, Ambient, Children’s, Cinematic, Classical, Country & Folk, Dance & Electronic, Hip Hop & Rap, Holiday, Jazz & Blues, Pop, R&B & Soul, Reggae, Rock.

• Annotations These include: Speech bubble, Note, Title, Spotlight and Label it is also possible to put a link within an annotation which provides the opportunity to create pathways making your videos interactive. Note annotations at present do not display on mobile devices! L

• Cards the latest addition to the edit features within YouTube and yes they do display on some mobile devices! Cards add a little info button to the top of your video. When selected, this take the viewer to either: Associated website / blog. Fundraising. Merchandise. Video or play list.

• Subtitles and CC select a method i.e. Upload a file. Transcribe and set timings. Create new subtitles or Closed Captions.

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- Ipsum

So many edit options, so many opportunities for both learning and teaching. As a lecturer your videos can now be set up with minimum technical knowledge to maximize learning. Learners would equally enjoy creating these learning objects a win, win situation. Navigate to each edit option by either: Selecting an edit option from the drop down edit menu next to your chosen video from within video manager or the navigation pane displayed at the top of an edit page as the screen shot below demonstrates.

Understanding Enhancements The screen shot below demonstrates how with the click of your mouse you can make instant changes to your video. Select slow motion to highlight action points. NB this will be applied to the entire video. When that is not acceptable you could “combine clips and publish”. Trim will only allow you to remove film from each end! Select “filters” to apply special effect, place your curser over each balloon to review the effect.

Audio Choose the type of music / sound you require by selecting the drop down arrow at the top of the featured track box. Then make your choice. The plays duration time is also displayed. I find the ability to match both video and sound track length a useful feature. Once a sound track has been chosen then a slider appears at the bottom of the video. This slider enables further editing. Select the x to remove a sound track. Move the “Favour Original Audio” slider to “Favour Music” or not it’s your choice. Select “Position audio” to reveal a time line. The time line will enable the exact placement of your chosen audio on the video.

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Annotations Select “add annotation” then chose between:

• Title – This has no back ground colour • Note – Will be displayed with a back ground colour • Speech bubble – Displayed in the same manner as a note • Spot light – This is a box which is placed around an object / action you wish to draw attention too.

Only when a curer is placed inside this box will the text be displayed (with out back ground colour) • Label – This is similar to a spot light as the text is only displayed when a curser is placed over it

however the text also has a background colour. I have placed arrows on the screen shot below to help direct many of the options mentioned.

All text is either black or white. Each annotation will be displayed where you place it on the video. Its size can be increased and decreased by dragging with your curser. It will appear and disappear according to your placement on the time line below the video. Annotations can be edited and removed at anytime with ease. What I think is really clever is the option to add a link. To do this, first choose an annotation then tick the link box at the bottom of the page. You can link to a video, Playlist, Channel, Google+ Profile/Page, Subscribe, and Fundraising Project. This gives you the opportunity to add options / pathways for the learner to choose between. You video is now interactive!

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Cards Cards can be used to direct a learners towards your website, blog or another video. Increasing interactivity. When a card is attached to a video a c icon will appear in the top right corner. Select the c to expose the cards. I have included both a website and video to help demonstrated in the screen shot below. Teaser text will be displayed during the video at the point of which the card is placed on the time line. This is to encourage us. You can attach as many cards as required.

Simply select “add card” then choose from the drop down list of card options. Use the URL of any YouTube video to attach as a card. However it is only possible to attach a website or blog that has been verified as yours. Once that website / blog is verified, copy and paste the URL as indicated below. An image and text will automatically be drawn down from that website. Once you have viewed how the card is displayed you may wish to make alterations. To edit a card select the edit pen associated with that card. (See above screen shot) It is possible to upload a different image and change all of the text as necessary.

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Subtitles and CC (closed captions) After selecting “Subtitle and CC” you will be asked to “set video language”. Once this has been submitted the “Add new subtitles or CC” page will appear, once again select language to progress to the “select a method” page. • Upload a file: Create a text transcript of what was said during the video using a word document. Save as a plain text file (txt). The following tips will ensure you get the best results: o Use a blank line to force the start of a

new caption o Use square brackets to designate

background sounds. For example [music] or [laughter]

o Add >> to identify speaker or change of speaker.

• Transcribe and set timings: Type or copy & paste directly into the transcript box. When typing in, select “pause video while typing” I have found this method really easy as the second you stop typing the video automatically continues. It is very similar to being dictated too, however you control the speed and so will not get left behind! Select automatic timings then all text will be placed where it is spoken on the video. (See screen shot bottom right.) YouTube may automatically transcribe for you. This is brilliant. OK speech recognition is not perfect! But I find it so much faster to correct, than type from scratch. Unfortunately “automatic transcribe” is not always available. It is dependent on the length of the video, the language in the video and the quality of sound in the video! (The option will appear within the “transcribe” page when it is available) • Create new subtitles or CC: Create subtitles and Closed Captions by typing in as you watch the video. Again select “pause video while typing” Set timings manually as you work by selecting the + icon then a new box will appear for you to type in. Continue typing and pressing + to move on. (See screen shot below.)

To ensure your captions appear for the correct length of time and exactly where you require on your video. Move and stretch the caption with your curser to the exact spot on the time line bar, which will appear at the bottom of your video.

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