Converting to mp3’s to iPod “Audiobooks” You probably have lots of mp3 files by now and if not, your students probably do!  However, what you may not realize is that an mp3 audio file is not the same thing as an iPod “Audiobook” file.  Audiobooks tend to be very large files such that you aren’t likely to listen to an entire book in one sitting.  If you’re listening to an mp3, you’d have to spend valuable time searching for the spot you left off at when returning to a book you previously had listened to in part.  With an “Audiobook” or iPod m4b format, your iPod remembers exactly where you stopped listening during your previous session, even if you had listened to other content in between sessions!  This could be extremely valuable to you and your students as you create accessible materials, including audiobook conversions from NIMAS File Sets!

So, here’s a couple of free and easy ways you can do it:

For PC:  Download and install this free mp3 to m4b converter: http://www.freeipodsoftware.com/index.php

For Mac: Audiobook Builder is nice little application, but is $9.95.  Alternatively for the Mac is Make Bookmarkable v.2.5, which is free and works quite well!  It’s also nice, because it works right within iTunes, where your iPod Audiobooks are going to end up anyway. Donations are accepted if you like and use Bookmarkable however.  http://dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/ss.php?sp=makebookmarkable

To me, it makes a lot of sense to convert your NIMAS File Sets, Text To Audio Conversions, etc to iPod Audiobook format rather than a simple mp3 or wav file for the primary purpose of improving efficiency with students who may already have some difficulty with time constraints.

A couple more Digital Story Telling Tool I wanted to make sure Indiana teachers know about this week.

#1 Slideoo: This is SOOO easy to use.  It works with your flickr account photos and honestly creates a slideshow from your flickr photo set/s in about 3 clicks and then makes it 1-click easy to post it to other places on the web and/or to share it.  Downside is that there isn’t any text, voice-over or music.  http://www.slideoo.com/

#2 VoiceThread: This one is unique because it almost allows a dialogue to happen.  Multiple voices along with your images and text can all be utilized to create a very interesting experience for the viewer and an incredibly engaging interaction for those creating the digital story.  http://voicethread.com

~REMINDERS~

PATINS Regional Site Trainings: Don’t forget that you can always see the workshops and trainings that are scheduled at each of the PATINS Regional Sites here: http://www.patinsproject.com/regional.html. Many workshops have already been scheduled and posted!

PATINS State Conference! …and don’t forget to register for the 2008 PATINS State Conference here: http://www.patinsproject.com/training.html Deadline is October 17, 2008

The Conference Booklet (including registration form) can be downloaded here:
http://www.patinsproject.com/Conference/ConferenceBooklet.pdf

Register for the Free PATINS Assistive Tech Online Overview Course here:
http://www.patinsproject.com/overview.htm Deadline is September 12, 2008

NEW UDL Pilot Site APPLICATIONS being accepted!  Info here:
http://www.patinsproject.com/udl.html Deadline is October 6, 2008