MyBrainshark

What is myBrainshark?

myBrainshark is a free online tool that lets you…

• upload PowerPoint presentations to the web
• add audio narrations to each slide (using a microphone or telephone)
• insert questions along the way for students to answer
• and much more!

You can easily make changes later, if you need to add, delete or rearrange slides, or re-record audio for certain slides.

How can I learn more and get started?

View the myBrainshark Quick Tour Demo (4 min video)

What do I need to use it?

Basically, you need...

• a PowerPoint presentation that you’ve created (ending in ppt, pptx, or…)
• Adobe Flash player installed on your computer
• a microphone OR telephone for recording audio
• computer speakers or headset

Run this System Check to make sure your computer is ready to use myBrainshark.

What will my students need in order to view my presentation?

• Adobe Flash player
• computer speakers or headset

How do I upload a PowerPoint and add audio?

1. Go to http://www.brainshark.com/mybrainshark. Click “Sign Up for Free” and create an account.
2. Once logged in, click on “Upload Content.” On the next screen, click “Upload a PowerPoint.”
3. Choose a PowerPoint file from your computer to upload. Wait while it is uploaded and converted. (This can take a while, depending on the size of your PowerPoint.)
4. You can adjust the title or add a description, tags, etc if you want. Click Next when done.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to begin adding audio by microphone or by phone.
   • If using a microphone, click on the microphone icon and move on to step 7.
   • If using a phone, see…
6. After choosing “by microphone,” you’ll see a message letting you know that on the next screen you will need to “allow” Adobe Flash to use your microphone. Click Continue
7. On the next screen, you’ll see your first PowerPoint slide on the left, a table of contents on the right, and below that, the Adobe Flash Player Settings box — in this box, click ALLOW. Next, your web browser may (or may not) present a question (perhaps near the top of the screen) requiring you to click ALLOW again.
8. In the table of contents, the first slide is selected (has a black triangle beside it). To start recording audio for this slide, click the Record button. When finished, click STOP. Next you can…
   • click Preview to hear your recording before saving it
   • click Retry to record it again
   • click Discard to delete it
   • click Save to save it and move on!
9. Repeat step 9 for each slide in your presentation. You can jump around by clicking a slide in the table of contents.
10. When you have finished recording audio for your slides — or when you’re ready to stop for a while — click “End Recording Session” in the upper right.
11. You can now play your presentation, or choose an option on the right to edit it, add slides or questions, etc.
12. When you are ready to share your slides with students, you must choose the option to make it active.

How do I make my Brainshark presentation visible to others?

In order for others to see your presentation, you must make it active. To do this: Log in to myBrainshark. In the My Content area, click on one of your presentations. On the next screen, to the right of the presentation is box titled “What Can I Do Now?” At the bottom of this box you’ll find a link to make your presentation active (or inactive).

How do I put my Brainshark presentation in Sakai?

In Sakai, you can make a link to your Brainshark presentation or embed the presentation on a Lessons page.

Get the web address or embed code

Log in to myBrainshark. In the My Content area, click on one of your presentations. Below the presentation, click the option that says Embed/Link. The web address of your presentation is displayed. If you want to make a link in Sakai to your presentation, highlight the full address and copy it. Or, if you want to embed the presentation in a Sakai Lessons page, click the Embed Code tab and choose the size you want (any are fine). Next, BE SURE to check the box that says Use <object> embed code. Copy ALL of the text that is displayed.

Option A: Make a link to your Brainshark presentation

In Sakai, you can put a link to your presentation in Resources, in Lessons, or almost anywhere else. In Resources: Beside any folder, click Add and choose Add Web Link. In the Web Address box, paste the web address you copied from Brainshark. In the Website Name box, type a name for the presentation that will appear to students. In Lessons: Click Add Text. In the text editor box, type some text that you want students to click on to access the presentation, then use your mouse to highlight the specific text that you want to make into a link. In the text editor toolbar, click the Link icon (small globe with a link under it). In the URL box, paste the web address you copied from Brainshark. Click OK, then click Save.

Option B: Embed your Brainshark presentation on a Lessons page

In Lessons: Click Add Text. In the text editor toolbar, click Source. In the empty white box, paste the object embed code you copied from Brainshark. Click OK, then click Save.