Keeping text in a Word document hidden

You can ‘hide’ a note to yourself in Word. Type the text, then select it and select Hidden in the Font dialogue box. It is then not displayed on the screen.

When you select the Show/Hide icon it appears with small dotted underlining. To make the text appear when printed, go to Options, Display, Printing Options. You could use this feature during an assessment. Create a test with the answers hidden in the document. Print the test with the questions, and then print it later displaying the questions and answers.

Chat GPT and education

Chat GPT is going to change the way we teach!

Link to website: https://chat.openai.com/

A very clear file on Updating your course syllabus for ChatGPT

Have a look at the video from Mr Long -
Mr Long's video on What is Chat GPT and its impact on students and teachers

AI Content detector - you can use this https://writer.com/ai-content-detector/

Example of video made with Powtoon

This video was made a long time. Powtoon has become more interactive since then. Note how there is time to read and digest the text. It is all about the different cognitive levels which are meant to be found in a Computer Applications Technology examination.

Benefits of using videos in education

There are many benefits to using videos in education.

Links

• Why Videos are Important in Education
• 10 Reasons to Use Video for Education

Hints for working with text and images in a video

Videos can do certain things depending on how the information in a video is presented.

Font/text

• CAPS are used for headings, never body text unless you are shouting
• Make sure your text fits on the screen
• A heading is always larger than the body text
• Keep to one font throughout
• Never underline anything as it then looks like a hyperlink
• Every statement begins with a capital letter
• Do not use capital letters unexpectedly in the middle of a sentence
• Headings begin with capital letters
• Keep font size the same for the body text on each slide
• You need key words on the screen, so if the video is about videos do not use the word video on the screen - it fills the screen with a useless word.

Images

• Use images to complement text
• Images must match the content
• Statements can be elaborated with text and images
• If the image is of a face, it should face inwards or to the middle of the screen

Layout

• Numbering is useful for learning
• Balance the information on the screen – must be filled with text, images and white space
• Make sure your text fits on the screen
• Text on screen must be short and very clear, no extra wasted words

Timing

• Need time to read the screen, and then absorb the information
• The title slide must be visible for slightly longer than the other slides

Animations

• Never animate the title slide
• Never have a character or object move across the important text in an animation

Common errors

• Spelling errors are very visible on a screen
• Text and background colours must be a distinctive contrast so that the text can be seen and read
• Use of the board/label to provide elaboration is good
• Have keywords/concepts on the screen
• Do not use full stops or point in titles or headings
• Stay on the topic of your work
• Demonstrate what you are talking about
• Number your points
• Display the diversity of cultures in South Africa 
• Use text, images and animations to enhance learning

Creating animated cartoons/videos

Students have created animated cartoons on the benefit of using videos for educational purposes with Powtoon and Renderforest.

Note 

• The text in a cartoon video is short! 
• You can add sound - music or voice. 
• Images must match the content.

• If you are using the free Powtoon, when finished go to Export (top right-hand corner), and you export TO YouTube. It uploads to your YouTube channel. 
• If you are using RenderForest when finished go to Preview, and if it is alright, click on Download. Download it to your computer. Upload to YouTube when ready.

Create a video introducing yourself using Renderforest

Create a video saying who you are. This is such a nice video to have at the start of a course.

Make the video with the free version of Renderforest. Do not use anything which has Pro imprinted on it. Students have found Animation Videos the best for their needs, and Whiteboard Animation Toolkit.

Include the following in the video:

1. Your name and surname
2. Where are you originally from (e.g. home town)
3. Where do you work and what is your role there, and if you are teaching, tell us your subjects/grade as well.
4. Why did you choose to do this course
5. Something only your best friend would know

When finished go to Preview, and if it is alright, click on Download. Download it to your computer. Upload to YouTube when ready. Please make the video Unlisted. Copy the link and share it.

This was only graded in so much as creating the video, uploading it to YouTube and submitting a functioning link to a video.