• 4.4: Create Media

    Social-media-devices.jpgThe ability to create media is a key component of the definition of media literacy. In this subunit we focus on developing digital skills for different media modalities to prepare to create a multimodal presentation. This subunit is assembled as a progression from simple to more complex objectives that will enable you to:

    • Create static images (remixing scalable vector graphics to produce a diagram);
    • Create moving images assembled from static images (GIF animation for visual interest or explanation of a concept);
    • Generate a sequence of static and moving images for a web-based presentation (using the Reveal.js framework for online presentations);
    • Record and remix audio (generating an audio file from multiple tracks for inclusion in a video).

    These component skills will enable you to assemble and remix a multimodal online presentation.

    • Upon successful completion of this subunit, you will be able to:

      • generate a diagram by remixing openly licensed scalable vector graphics resources for inclusion in your multimedia presentation;
      • produce an animated GIF from a sequence of static image file frames;
      • produce and share an online presentation (without audio) using web-based technologies; and
      • generate an audio file from multiple audio tracks.
    • Choose a Subject and Draft a Plan Page

      In this subunit, we focus on digital skills for creating media. We recommend you choose a subject for your multimodal presentation assignment so you can reuse the outputs of the mini-learning challenges to incorporate into your presentation.

      Mini Challenge Summary

      Summary: Select a subject and draft an initial plan for creating a multimodal presentation. Time: 30–45 minutes

      Multimodal presentation assignment

    • Diagram Remix Page
      Mini Challenge Summary

      Summary: Construct a diagram with reusable scalable vector graphics (SVG) images Time: 1.5 to 2 hours. The static image is the first modality of this learning pathway on creating media.

    • Animated GIF Page

      The graphics interchange format (GIF) is a bitmap image format. The format can support the compilation of a sequence of still images and when played back, it generates a moving picture. GIF animations are gaining popularity again as a form of creative expression and as a method to use moving pictures to illustrate or explain concepts. In this section, you will create your own animated GIF from a sequence of still frames.

      Mini Challenge Summary

      Summary: Generate an animated GIF from still image frames. Time: 1.5 hours.

      Moving images (without sound) is the next modality in this learning pathway on creating media.

    • HTML Slideshow Page

      In this section we explore web-based slideshows which are coded in HTML. This enables the slideshow to be viewed and presented using a web browser, with the advantage of supporting responsive design for mobile devices and applying styles using CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). Together with JavaScript (JS) it is possible generate dynamic and professional presentations authored natively for the web.

      In this course, you are not required to learn how to code slide shows in HTML, but you will develop associated skills in web-based slideshows using the Slides.com web-service. This web-service generates the underlying HTML for the open source Reveal.js framework for web-based slideshow presentations.

      Mini Challenge Summary

      Summary: Prepare a short web-based slideshow based on the Reveal.js framework. Time: 1–1.5 hours.

    • Record and Mix Audio Page

      A multimodal presentation requires an audio track. Learning how to edit and mix audio snippets is a valuable skill for creating online presentations with an audio. In this mini learning challenge you will learn how to use Audacity to record voice and mix a music track into the recording.

      Mini Challenge Summary

      Summary: Mix a music track with personal voice recording using Audacity. Time: 1 hour.

      Audacity is a free, easy to use, multi-track audio editor and recorder. This open source software is available for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux and other operating systems.