Embedding Media...

This week, in the Intro to Educational Technology class, we are learning about embedding media into a blog, in case we would want to use a blog for a student project in a classroom or in an online class. Embedding media is quite simple, whether you are using Blogger, Wordpress, or a Wiki, such as PBWorks or WikiSpaces. The three types of media we are to embed are a photo, a video, and a map from Google Maps. Our instructor has suggested we may want to add other types of media, also, depending upon the time we have and our expertise. I will start with the three required media and then include others, if I have enough time this evening.

Adding Photos

To add a photo into your blog post in blogger, just click on the "insert image"  icon in your editing menu above your post. This will bring up the option to upload an image (see image below). You can upload from the blog, Picasa Web album, from a URL, or just "Choose files" from your computer. You can also upload multiple files in various formats, such as JPG, GIF, or PNG.  

Screen image of uploading window

You will want to click on "Choose files" and then click on "add selected." When you do this you will have several posting options, such as what size or what placement within the blog post you want. To access the different options, just click on the image that was uploaded and you will see the various options.

Flowers at the park on Saturday, October 8, 2011

You will want to click on "Choose files" and then click on "add selected." When you do this you will have several posting options, such as what size or what placement within the blog post you want. To access the different options, just click on the image that was uploaded and you will see the various options. You will also have the option of adding a caption.

Embedding a Video

There are several ways to add a video to your blog. If you want to add a YouTube video, such as the video below, than you can just select the embed code or you can click on the "insert video" icon   above and select one of several options, including selecting a video from YouTube, similar to uploading an image. I inserted the video below using the icon and searching YouTube from the blogger window.

You can also use the embed code and insert it in your blog post. Here's a video inserted with using the embed code.

You can also upload a video from your computer. There could be issues with it's size though, as most videos are fairly large unless they have been streamed or converted to a Flash video, or something similar.

Embedding a Google Map

Embedding a Google map is very similar to embedding a YouTube video. You will want to go to Google Maps and select a map you would like to embed and then click on the little link icon at the top-right of the browser window and select the embed code insert in your blog post. I've selected a map of International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI), the organization I just started working for as an Instructional Designer.

View Larger Map

Embedding a SlideShare Presentation

Another form of media that many educators use on a regular basis is SlideShare, a site where you can upload your presentations for viewing by students or others. It's easy to embed by just clicking the "Embed" link above the SlideShare presentation you want to embed. Here's a presentation on Blackboard's 9.1 Mashups that I thought was well done by the author, Joel Kinison.

Blackboard Mashups: Multimedia Just Got a Little Easier!

 View more presentations from joelk

There are many other types of media you can embed into your blog, such as a podcast, music, surveys, quizzes, forms, etc. I don't have time to include all of them here, but these are just a few of the many different types of media you can embed.