On this page you will find a suite of short guides and information, covering external software such as Adobe Spark, ScreenCast-O-Matic, Microsoft Sway and many more. Click onto the headings below to expand the text box and access the links.

We have grouped a number of applications together which cover:  screencasts, video editing, digital stories, video presentations, and sharing your videos.  Recommended tools are: Screencast-O-matic,  Adobe Spark, YouTube, Adobe Rush, MovieMaker10.

 

  1. Using Windows 10 + webcam to record a simple “selfie type” video
  2. This short guide covers older versions of Windows, Macs and Chromebooks for recording a video via webcam.
  3. Click here access our quickstart guide to planning, editing and sharing video presentations and vlogs
  4. Download a simple storyboard template here.
  5. Click here for the Screencast-O-matic student guide or here to access the Screen-cast-o-matic browser based screen recorder
  6. Click here for the student YouTube channel set up guide. 

       7. Create videos online using Adobe Spark (free account set up required)

       8. Lightworks. It is an extensive tool running on Windows, used for video editing, whether is a YouTube Video, social media or project based. 
           Download it from here, also here is a quick tutorial on getting yourself started.

       9. Audacity is an easy-to-use, multi-track audio editor and recorder for Windows, macOS, GNU/Linux and other operating systems. You can
           find here a complete introduction to Audacity.

We have two primary recommendations for eportfolios: OneNote Class Notebook (Tutor set up and controlled) and Mahara (Student set-up/controlled). 

OneNote Class Notebook is set up by module Tutors and is part of the Office 365 suite of apps. OneNote Class Notebook exploits all of the easy-to-use tools you’ll be familiar with if you already use OneNote. Super simple to make a personalised notes to use and share for collaborative working or assessment purposes. Log into your student Office 365 account when using OneNote Class Notebook.

  • Click here to open our NoteNote Class Notebook student guide

Mahara is linked to our Moodle site. Mahara is an e-portfolio and a social networking system combined. An e-portfolio is a system in which students can record “evidence of lifelong learning” – such as essays, artwork or videos.  Anything produced can be stored digitally, then shared and/or used in an assessment. You can interact with friends and create your own online communities.

  • Click here to go to CU Coventry Mahara log in page.

Use these online apps to create stunning posters, leaflets, flyers and info-graphic type presentations. Use existing templates to quickly
create some great poster designs. Designs can be downloaded and embedded in Office documents, or as a PDF.  Check restrictions on file
types/size/format when downloading your designs.

We recommend the following free tools:

 

  • Canva is a free online design tool with many features (including animation).  The best tool we’ve found for this job – sor far 🙂
  • Easelly. For collaborative posters – click here for video tutorial
  • Venngage. Create info-graphics in a few quick and easy steps. 
  • Adobe Spark. Is a very slick and intuitive online (free) graphics creation tool

 

 

Apart from the obvious PowerPoint (part of your Office 365 apps) there are a number of free tools online which can be used to create stunning professional looking presentations. Some of the best (free) ones we recommend are listed below:

  1. Microsoft Sway (included in Office 365) – click here for Quickstart guide
  2. Adobe Spark (Websites, videos and graphics) – a one stop shop for all your presentation needs. Step-by-step guide
  3. Padlet : Use Padlet to create collaborative online pinboards. Use it as a research tool, mood boards, sharing ideas, team projects, or collecting and sharing websites/learning resources.  Easy and intuitive to use, with many flexible layouts.  Watch a YouTube guide to Padlet by clicking here.
  4. Lino.it – is a kind of interactive pinboard which you can share! Simple & effective; ideal for moodboards.
  5. Prezi – zoom into a unique way of presenting. The basic version is still free.
  6. FlipHTML5 creates online flipbooks from your PDF files. Simple but effective – see an example here! Click here for a short flipHTML5 video tutorial

AppsAnywhere

AppsAnywhere is a web based tool which provides access to a wide range of software applications you use for teaching and studying. AppsAnywhere can be used from your own Windows device or from a Coventry University owned PC, from any campus location. Take a while looking through this catalogue of apps – there may be something here you could easily make use of.

 

Linkedin Learning

The CU Group has moved to Linkedin Learning (Previously Lynda.com) to provide rich and engaging learning content.  This online learning platform that helps anyone learn business, software, technology and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals. You can have unlimited access to a vast library of high quality, current, and engaging video tutorials taught by great teachers who are also working professionals. Courses are presented in small chunks, so it’s easy to find quick answers to specific questions. You can also watch an entire course from end to end if you choose to.  Access also available on mobile websites or via mobile apps.

Click here to go to log in instructions for CU group students & staff.