Q: I wanted to pick your brain for your latest suggestion on easy, free slide show software. I want to just create a slide show with still jpeg images and add audio (probably an mp3 music file). Do you know what would be the best way?

A: so true, Prezi is not free anymore, Brainshark too. Wondershare slideshow advertises free download but I doubt it, don't waste your time.

Here is a link to an article 5 Ways Students Can Create Audio Slideshows
but I didn't try software listed there.

I looked at Google slides, it is free. You can't insert audio though, only youtube video. It is possible to create every slide as Youtube video and insert it in Google slides - odd process...

There is Movenote. It works with Google drive and allows you to add video or audio to your slides:

By Michelle Pacansky-Brock

Instructional Technologist, Instructor

July 7, 2014

I have used MoveNote to create tutorials for faculty. Faculty have taken to it like wildfire – they love how easy it is to record a video screencast that looks beautiful. Faculty at my institution are also having students use MoveNote to present and share projects and students are replying to each others’ MoveNotes online with the video reply feature.
Videos hosted on MoveNote.com are essentially shared as “unlisted” (available to those who have the link) — important share this with students if they create content.
One correction about the above review: There is a free version of MoveNote available (at the time of this writing) and the app is free for educators.
https://edshelf.com/tool/movenote/

People suggest using Google sites or google forms instead - you can create pages with Google sites and add sound there or add link to your slide:

Here is one way.
Just type in something like sound1 and link it to a sound file on the web:
 navajopeople.org/audio/audio2.wav
or in Google drive:
googledrive.com/host/0B6w5xqxWfszZTnZJUlh0QVlWWkk/Loop-Ambient-4.mp3
It will open in a new window. Just close the window when your done listening.

Remember that you can record your narration using audacity, save it in your Google drive and link to a word on your slide - like "click here to play audio".

https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/docs/1xy9YwNIB7Q

My friend uses jing. If you have iPad look for Adobe Voice; it "is a free iPad app that lets you make an impact with an amazing animated video".

Q: Could you help? I need to make 6 power point slide-based videos and post the url in 2 hours for my class. Is it possible?

A: Sure it is. I assume that your slides are ready. First question: are you Mac or PC? 

Mac user - you can just record your screen with a QuickTime player. It is free. The instructions are here.
Save your movie as *.mov and post it at Youtube. You don't need to create a new account - sign in with the Google one. You can publish your video manually at Vimeo by uploading a video file. If you have a budget try Keynote

PC user - finally you have a choice. Try Screencastomatic - it works for Mac too. 15 min. long videos are free - much more powerful options than Jing. You can record a screen, web cam, or both. It is very user friendly. Download it, record your video. You have a choice to save your video as a file to upload to a website later or publish at Youtube. 

A few tips - please do test before you invest much time and efforts. Double check your audio devices. Make sure you set up your microphone before you start recording on PC. Check your Sound System Preferences on Mac. Pay attention where you are saving your video file at the end:)
If you are publishing on Youtube be aware of public setting by default. Go back and change it to private if you need. 

You still have time - run!

Q: I need my online class students to watch "An inconvenient truth" documentary. It is available via Amazon and Netflix streaming for $3.99. How can we make it available to students without them spending money for a streaming service?

A: The question is related to copyright issues. There are educational licensing options but they generally are too expensive or intended for public screening (http://www.swank.com) .

To check where movies are available, use CanIstreamit (http://www.canistream.it/).

There is FAQ article by Peggy Hoon that contains most answers to questions about using copyrighted works in your teaching: http://www.knowyourcopyrights.org/bm~doc/kycrfaq.pdf

Read answer 4, part 2. My conclusion it is to ask students to pay for a movie rent for the screening assignment because of a conflicting situation with TEACH Act obligations.

Q: Where I'll get the code to embed video in my Blackboard course?

A: Use Embedomatron - a new web app called Embedomatron. It automatically optimizes video for use in course learning management systems by:

• Resizing all videos to be 650 pixels wide
• Limiting the amount of corporate branding
• Preventing “Related Videos” from being displayed at the end of video playback
• Generating HTTPS embed code for use on the secure pages on your LMS

Embedomatron currently works with YouTube, Vimeo and ASU CLAS MediaSpace/Relay videos. More platforms will be added soon

Read more: http://teachonline.asu.edu/2013/10/improve-course-videos-embedomatron/#ixzz2s1YLo85A

Q: Do you know a technology to make a process of watching video materials for students active?

A: The researchers from Leeds University, Vania Dimitrova and Lydia Lau, designed a system I-CAW that gives you semantic linked data at the end. Meanwhile you can use this tool to have your students posting comments while watching the video on Youtube.  Students are labeling their comments with a corresponding aspect. You as a teacher design the aspects to emphasize the outcomes. This tool transforms students experience from passive to active. Read more

Q: I am looking for a way to use a branching scenario in my video to make it interactive. Is it possible to do for a person withough special video editing skills?

A: Yes, you can do it with YouTube! The key word is to add annotation to your video. This article will help:  
 http://support.google.com/youtube/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=92710

http://www.movements.org/how-to/entry/how-to-make-your-youtube-videos-more-interactive-by-adding-annotations/

Notes

• Annotations appear on standard YouTube players and embedded players.
• Annotations do not appear on custom YouTube chromeless players.
• Annotations do not appear in video playbacks taking place on mobile, tablet and TV devices.

Q: What technology is available for free to create video for my class?

A: New service knovio: http://www.knovio.com/

Create: bring “flat” PowerPoint® slides to life with your webcam, microphone

Edit: make changes, without the need for video editing software or skills

Share: publish instantly to private spaces or your social networks

Jux: https://jux.com/ gives your user-friendly opportunity to design any content. Use Fkickr (creative Commons licensed) images: http://www.flickr.com/

With MentorMob http://www.mentormob.com/ you can be creative and organize your content.

You can use your iPad as whiteboard with ShowMe application: http://www.showme.com/

ShowMe is an open learning community where you can learn or teach any subject.

If you use Google+ - hangouts offer you whiteboard options as well.

Camtasia Relay gives you an option to upload your video content directly to YouTube channel.

http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia-relay.html