EDLD 5363 Reflections

I thoroughly enjoyed working with my group during this course. Everyone was very responsible and did their part. We continually communicated through a google doc as well as through email. We broke up the different job responsibilities and then came together during the final week to finalize what we had been working on. We did not have to make many revisions to our planning document since our plans were very well thought out and everything seemsed to go as planned. Since I train and teach teachers on these concepts this class was mostly a review for me. I have been working with video, podcasting, video file extensions, editing video, shooting video and multimedia type products for quite a few years now. I did learn that when at home on maternity leave my attitude is quite different from when I am at work, which I think is understandable. I usually take on leadership roles whenever I am working with a group but this time my time and effort was limited so I was not as eager to step up as I would have in the past. I definitely had to learn to manage my time more effectively. I enjoy teaching and training teachers about multimedia. I did enjoy the discussions. Being able to hear what others had to say about their learning was very interesting and encouraging.

Week 4 Reflections

Multimedia and Video Technology

Reflections on: Past learning, new learning, and how this learning will impact my future lifelong learning.

This week I have been working with my group to gather the footage that we will be using to edit the video. My group has done an excellent job of geting things done in a timely manner. We have used Google Chat and Google Docs to communicate since we are all in different locations. We have also revised our script to better match the actual footage that we were able to capture.

The reading this week have helped me better understand how to use Audacity. I actually train the teachers in my district on how to use Audacity, Movie Maker, and PhotoStory. These free programs are on the image of each teacher's laptop. We really want our teachers to use these programs especially since we are a 1:1 district. I enjoyed learning more about shooting quality video. I think the tips were very helpful, simple, and easy to remember. I plan on incorporating these tips into my future trainings.

Desktop-Video-Guide. (n.d.) Guidelines for shooting quality video. Retrieved on August 23, 2010, from http://www.desktop-video-guide.comshoot-video.html

Web Conference Reflection

I was extremely confused and frustrated after viewing the web conference. It is really a waste of time to watch something when no one really knows what they are talking about and we just get more confused. I do not think that the students should have personal conversations, it get's the moderator confused and behind when trying to read the comments. They should be using the personal chat. I think that for the type of program that we are in this is very unprofessional and lacking in effectiveness. Sometimes I do get a few things out of the conferences but mostly I just get more confused.

Windows Movie Maker vs Blender

Upon reviewing the two different video editing software programs; Windows Movie Maker and Blender, I would definitely recommend Movie Maker to a beginner that is just learning how to make and edit videos. Movie Maker is very user friendly and there are a variety of tutorials and manuals available for anyone to use. It is a program that is well known and thus has more support. Blender is a new program and is primarily an open source 3D modeling and animation package. It was very difficult for me to understand and has so many different features that I was very frustrated in trying to figure it out. However,if you’ve ever wanted to learn how to model and animate, or if you want to add 3D effects to your arsenal of professional tools, then Blender 3D might just be perfect for you.

Garrison states that "Media production demands writing and rewriting, research, group effort, and clarity of thought. Media production offers a means for students to talk to whomever they think is an important audience. It does all this because students want to say things that have meaning to them - authentic production comes from authentic learning." Today, students grasp movie making projects like they have been doing them all their life. They enjoy creating and sharing...this is their world. Teachers need to be familiar with these programs so that they can use them in their classroms. I have used Movie Maker extensively in my personal life, in the classroom, and in my current position. I train teachers how to use the program in their classroom wiht their students. Most teachers really enjoy learning the program. I would not want to have to teach Blender to my teachers. It just would not have the same effect in my opinion. I'm sure it has it's place but I think Movie maker is the way to go for educators.

Garrison, G., 2007. Video basics and production projects for the classroom. Retrieved August 28, 2010, from http://www.medialit.org/reading_room/article3.html.