Media Player Creations for Big Screens by Julie Roberts

Completed PPTs added to Library pages

jr2 — 2014-10-21 03:32:36 UTC

Armageddon

Books to movies

Cherub alternatives

Classics

Dystopian fiction

Easier Reading Suggestions

Funny family tales

Horror reads

Hunger Game alternatives

Promotional PPTs

jr2 — 2014-10-21 03:40:31 UTC

The media player stores images and PPTs which can be timed and changed throughout the day on any of the 3 big screens in the Forrest Library. There are several already created and stored on the media player. Carol Davis (Library Technician) adds the daily timetable which plays for a 5-10 minutes timeslot around the changeover period time throughout the day. Unless the school's timetable is overhauled all you will be asked to do is to create and insert new promotional PPTs as your time allows. You will also be expected to update the playlist of PPTs to best suit the term or specific time of the year e.g. Term 1 it may be best to play some of the Library FAQ or library skill type PPTs along with some fiction promotional ones. It really is a matter of you responding to a need or being proactive and using screen time to inform or promote library resources to the viewers.

The Media Player software can be viewed online.

(WARNING: To be able to accommodate the media player's data requirements make sure you use a blue cable in your latop AND make sure it is an active blue cable outlet when you are trying to connect with the media player!)

I have set up a playlist for Term 1 but if you wanted you might like to format a new fiction thematic PPT and practice changing one of the existing PPTs on the playlist to your new one in preparation for the rest of the semester. Any theme you would like but suggestions may include:

If you liked The Maze Runner you might like to read...
If you liked Diary of a Wimpy Kid you might like to read...
School Days
Spy thrillers

Completed PPTs are also added to the Library Reading Suggestions page. See the list to the right

Powerpoint Creation Steps:

jr2 — 2014-10-21 05:16:11 UTC

Settle on theme
Collect cover images and blurb for each title from catalogue
Open new PPT
Change view to widescreen - Design --> Slide size --> Widescreen
Change transition to advance slide after 20 seconds. Remove On Mouse Click tick.
Add to item slides to PPT (title, cover image, blurb and call number)
Create title slide (repeat regularly throughout slide presentation e.g. after every 5 slides)
Review each slide and make sure there are automatic transitions for each slide
Save PPT as a .ppt extension i.e. Save as then select .ppt THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP - MUST BE PPT NOT PPTX OR OTHER VERSIONS

STEP 1: Media Player Upload:

jr2 — 2014-10-21 05:40:12 UTC

Please note: Must use blue cable in your laptop so don't rely on wireless.

STEP 2: Add a new playlist:

jr2 — 2014-10-21 06:08:11 UTC

Once your PPT has been uploaded you need to create a new playlist and attach your presentation to it so that it can be played.

STEP 3: Swap an existing scheduled playlist for your new plyalist with your new PPT

jr2 — 2014-10-21 06:22:13 UTC

Now change an existing time slot to your new playlist.

Done. If any problems....I suggest the following

jr2 — 2014-10-21 06:34:21 UTC

If media player just stalls check your original PPT for mistakes e.g. slide missing automatic transition, slide still has tick next to manually mouse click transition
If you find a mistake I would fix PPT first then repeat steps 1-3 for your new PPT
The media player cannot handle any animations so don't bother being too creative with your PPTs
Slides too over crowded will result in images and text overlaying on the media player. Go back and resize elements leaving plenty of white space around each slide. Also make sure you have nominated 'Widescreen'
If not looping or just plain stalled I suggest you check you had the Looping button ticked when adding a new playlist
If you can't see the media player options make sure you are using an active blue cable. Because someone has stuck a blue cable in a socket doesn't mean that cable socket has been activated. I know the blue cable on the Help Desk works.
If all else fails fall upon your sword and ring Mike Pantner in IT and ask for his help. He is the next expert and has helped me many times. I have noted that changes seem to upset the player and sometimes I have to ring and ask him to restart it after I had made some. So don't fret. They are considering changing to some new software but hopefully they will not do this while you are here.

Julie Roberts October 2014

Short video clips can be accommodated just as if they were PPTS. Follow the same steps.

jr2 — 2016-03-02 04:18:55 UTC

Create
Add new media
Add new playlist
Schedule