International Symposium: Programs: Summary: Session M2A

Microsoft Producer is a new, free software package that allows beginning to advanced users to make affordable multimedia presentations. The software synchronizes a Power Point presentation, a video file, and other media elements such as photos, text, and animated avatars. The resulting file is similar to a DVD movie in that a user may select any chapter of the presentation and be instantly taken to that part.
This software gives deaf students, and their instructors, the capability to produce a truly bilingual presentation. For example, if an English-based storybook is made into a Power Point slideshow and into an ASL video; both translations can then be linked together and watched simultaneously. Depending upon the age of the students, the completed projects can serve as a subject-matter resource or as an avenue to study the characteristics of both languages in a fun and rewarding way. However, a greater benefit may be realized when students begin collaborating and producing their own projects since a variety of interests and skills can be easily integrated. In our previous example, one student might design the artwork to go along with the story, another might make the slides, another might translate the story into ASL, an inspiring actor might sign the story, yet another might serve as the video camera operator, and still another might do the timeline editing. In the end, both the process and the product are of value to the group.
During this presentation, the software along with sample projects will be demonstrated. Participants will receive a handout showing the potential skills to be learned as well as curriculum integration suggestions. The primary anticipated audience will be elementary through high school deaf educators. Although the projects fit well into literacy lessons; they are easily blended into any subject area from fine arts to history and beyond. From a technical perspective, the various stages of design and implementation offer extensive computer experience. Instructors who teach ASL to hearing students and those who have deaf students with foreign speaking parents will also benefit from the presentation.