Evaluations

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Photostory 3

Publisher: Microsoft

Publisher’s website: http://www.microsoft.com/

Age group: 8-16 years

Curriculum: English, Geography, History, SPHE, Gaeilge

Year of Publication: 2004

Format: Internet download

System: PC

Minimum Specifications required to run the software title:

Windows Media Player 10,

400 MB of available hard disk space,

CD rom or DVD drive,

microphone to record narration,

speakers.

Price: Free

Summary Photo Story 3 is a piece of free software that brings your photos to life using motion (panning and zooming), voice narration and music.  It allows you to create your own storybook in the form of a photo slideshow.  You can import your pictures from your computer to Photo Story very easily. Photo Story allows you to drop these photos onto the storyboard and organise them into your own personal storybook by simply clicking and dragging. 

Photo Story has a photo editing tool that allows enhancement of each picture, (instantly removes red-eye, rotates pictures, has cropping tools and colour fixing). Photo Story allows you to create your own original soundtrack or alternatively use a song from your music library. Special effects can be added- sepia, black & white, watercolour and many more. There is a choice of 40 transitions that can be added between pictures, to add visual impact like page curl, wipes, flips, bowtie and cross fade. Finally, your Photo Story project can be saved onto a CD and shared with family and friends.

Photo Story can be used in the classroom as a whole class project by using a projector, computer, microphone, camera and speakers. A great deal of organisation and preparatory work needs to take place in order for an enjoyable Photo Story experience.