A quick start guide to J2Spotlight
1. What is J2Spotlight?
J2Spotlight allows children to create and edit animated movies.
You can produce animated films with stop frame animation.
Using green screen technology, children can choose to select a backdrop for each scene.
A library of colourful backgrounds are provided including pictures, photographs and videos.
2. How does it work?
You use your webcam to take pictures that build up an animation. Either select a predefined background to move an object over using “greenscreen” technology (This really needs a webcam on a stand and a solid colour background, often green, to move the object over). Or alternatively, move an object over a real background made of cardboard, for example. .
3. How do I get to it?
Go to your j2webby platform and select the spotlight app
nb. You will need to have a account to be able to use J2Spotlight.
4. How can I share my work?
When you have finished your animation you have two choices on how to share it:
Publishing Option 1.
You can export your animation as a video file (.mp4 format) and then upload it into vimeo, teacher tube etc..
Or
Publishing Option 2
Stage 1
Press the ‘webby’ button () to send the animation to the teacher moderation area for checking (J2Webby).
Stage 2
When the teacher has checked and approved the file – it will appear on the schools J2Webby publishing site.
5. How can others comment on my work?
After the animation has been approved by the teacher in J2Webby – anyone viewing the publishing site for the school can comment on any blog posting.
The actual comments themselves will not be published until the teacher has checked and approved them in J2 Webby.
This is an excellent facility for engaging parents in their children’s work and promoting home / school communication.
6. How can I use this tool within the context of Learning Platforms?
All blogs on the J2Webby Publishing site can be integrated into Learning Platforms.
Option1 -Weblinkingfroma learning platform into J2Webby.
Stage 1
Copying the URL (Web address at the top of the screen in web browser) when on the right page in J2Webby that you want to link to from your platform.
Stage 2
Create a link in your platform either as a seperate link icon or as a hyperlink on a page in your platform.
Option 2 - Using RSS feeds to show J2Webby published items
Stage 1
In the blog page on J2Webby, right hand mouse click on the RSS iconof the blog or news feed you want to link to and select ‘copy shortcut’.
Stage 2
Paste the weblink into the icon when it asks for ‘add RSS feed
Now the blog will appear in your platform (if rss is enabled) and will dynamically update every time the content changes in J2Webby.
View additional help here:
www.just2easy.com/Vids/rss/
7. How can a teacher see their pupils’ work that has been moderated and published?
Click on the ‘Home’ button.
8. How can a teacher moderate the work?
Just go to the J2Webby icon to access the moderation area of the system. This will take you to the ‘dashboard’ where you can view your pupils’ work or blog comments, and decide whether to publish it or not.
View additional help here: www.just2easy.com/Vids/J2WebbyDashboard/
Nb. Only teachers can access this area. Logging in automatically detects whether the user is a teacher or pupil.
9. Examples of curriculum context
Suggestion 1- Animation can convey deeper understanding of processes
Encourage your pupils to convey their understanding of concepts by creating an animation – rather than just an annotated diagram. eg animate the water cycle and record a voiceover to explain the different elements
Suggestion 2 - Teacher or pupil led review
Using a simple whiteboard or post it notes and pen a teacher or pupil can easily explain a process for the class to review through the MLE or webby.
Suggestion 3 - A poetry slam
Pupils use Spotlight to visualise their poetry and convey aspects of symbolism.
Suggestion 4 - Record and report a science experiment or design and technology topic.
Record the important stages of an experiment and use the voice recorder to narrate your report. Include in the MLE or j2e to convey a deeper understanding using the additional tools.
Suggestion 5 - Match of the day.
Using emotive and figurative language commentate on the big sporting event using lego figures.
10. Frequently asked Questions
With J2Spotlight why do I need a webcam?
J2Spotlight is a “stop frame animation program” This means that you take a lot of individual pictures with your webcam and the software makes them into an animation. There are two methods you can employ. The first is to use a webcam on a stand and move an object move over a single colour background as in the photographs below. This works best with a flat object, like the paper rocket. The second method is to build a physical background out of card or similar and move an object around that background. This second method works for standard webcams and works with 3D objects like LEGO or modelling clay.
How do I change the background in J2Spotlight?
Simply scroll through the backgrounds until you reach the one you wish to use. As soon as you take a photograph you will see that background appear in the next frame. Note: Backgrounds are only suitable for method 1. For method 2 select “disable background”
How do I add Webcam images in J2Spotlight?
Each time you click the “picture” button a picture will be taken by your webcam. If you have a background selected that background will appear as part of that picture.
How do I change my default camera in J2Spotlight?
Simply select the camera and when you are asked about camera access right click on the pop up. Then select settings and select the camera that you would like to use. You can also check your microphone settings by clicking on the icon.
1. What is J2Spotlight?
J2Spotlight allows children to create and edit animated movies.
You can produce animated films with stop frame animation.
Using green screen technology, children can choose to select a backdrop for each scene.
A library of colourful backgrounds are provided including pictures, photographs and videos.
2. How does it work?
You use your webcam to take pictures that build up an animation. Either select a predefined background to move an object over using “greenscreen” technology (This really needs a webcam on a stand and a solid colour background, often green, to move the object over). Or alternatively, move an object over a real background made of cardboard, for example. .
3. How do I get to it?
Go to your j2webby platform and select the spotlight app
nb. You will need to have a account to be able to use J2Spotlight.
4. How can I share my work?
When you have finished your animation you have two choices on how to share it:
Publishing Option 1.
You can export your animation as a video file (.mp4 format) and then upload it into vimeo, teacher tube etc..
Or
Publishing Option 2
Stage 1
Press the ‘webby’ button () to send the animation to the teacher moderation area for checking (J2Webby).
Stage 2
When the teacher has checked and approved the file – it will appear on the schools J2Webby publishing site.
5. How can others comment on my work?
After the animation has been approved by the teacher in J2Webby – anyone viewing the publishing site for the school can comment on any blog posting.
The actual comments themselves will not be published until the teacher has checked and approved them in J2 Webby.
This is an excellent facility for engaging parents in their children’s work and promoting home / school communication.
6. How can I use this tool within the context of Learning Platforms?
All blogs on the J2Webby Publishing site can be integrated into Learning Platforms.
Option1 -Weblinkingfroma learning platform into J2Webby.
Stage 1
Copying the URL (Web address at the top of the screen in web browser) when on the right page in J2Webby that you want to link to from your platform.
Stage 2
Create a link in your platform either as a seperate link icon or as a hyperlink on a page in your platform.
Option 2 - Using RSS feeds to show J2Webby published items
Stage 1
In the blog page on J2Webby, right hand mouse click on the RSS iconof the blog or news feed you want to link to and select ‘copy shortcut’.
Stage 2
Paste the weblink into the icon when it asks for ‘add RSS feed
Now the blog will appear in your platform (if rss is enabled) and will dynamically update every time the content changes in J2Webby.
View additional help here:
www.just2easy.com/Vids/rss/
7. How can a teacher see their pupils’ work that has been moderated and published?
Click on the ‘Home’ button.
8. How can a teacher moderate the work?
Just go to the J2Webby icon to access the moderation area of the system. This will take you to the ‘dashboard’ where you can view your pupils’ work or blog comments, and decide whether to publish it or not.
View additional help here: www.just2easy.com/Vids/J2WebbyDashboard/
Nb. Only teachers can access this area. Logging in automatically detects whether the user is a teacher or pupil.
9. Examples of curriculum context
Suggestion 1- Animation can convey deeper understanding of processes
Encourage your pupils to convey their understanding of concepts by creating an animation – rather than just an annotated diagram. eg animate the water cycle and record a voiceover to explain the different elements
Suggestion 2 - Teacher or pupil led review
Using a simple whiteboard or post it notes and pen a teacher or pupil can easily explain a process for the class to review through the MLE or webby.
Suggestion 3 - A poetry slam
Pupils use Spotlight to visualise their poetry and convey aspects of symbolism.
Suggestion 4 - Record and report a science experiment or design and technology topic.
Record the important stages of an experiment and use the voice recorder to narrate your report. Include in the MLE or j2e to convey a deeper understanding using the additional tools.
Suggestion 5 - Match of the day.
Using emotive and figurative language commentate on the big sporting event using lego figures.
10. Frequently asked Questions
With J2Spotlight why do I need a webcam?
J2Spotlight is a “stop frame animation program” This means that you take a lot of individual pictures with your webcam and the software makes them into an animation. There are two methods you can employ. The first is to use a webcam on a stand and move an object move over a single colour background as in the photographs below. This works best with a flat object, like the paper rocket. The second method is to build a physical background out of card or similar and move an object around that background. This second method works for standard webcams and works with 3D objects like LEGO or modelling clay.
How do I change the background in J2Spotlight?
Simply scroll through the backgrounds until you reach the one you wish to use. As soon as you take a photograph you will see that background appear in the next frame. Note: Backgrounds are only suitable for method 1. For method 2 select “disable background”
How do I add Webcam images in J2Spotlight?
Each time you click the “picture” button a picture will be taken by your webcam. If you have a background selected that background will appear as part of that picture.
How do I change my default camera in J2Spotlight?
Simply select the camera and when you are asked about camera access right click on the pop up. Then select settings and select the camera that you would like to use. You can also check your microphone settings by clicking on the icon.
building block series