EDLD+5363

== = 5363 - Multimedia Video Technology = = Reflections = __ Self-Assessment __

I had been looking forward to this course just from reading its title, and was not disappointed. The activities and assignments kept me engaged and motivated through all five weeks of the course. I was not proficient in creating videos, but could not wait to learn skills to use at home and on the job. I had recently been asked to create video tutorials to assist teachers in learning the programs in our district. The main goal was to show them how to login and locate the help section in each one. I had just become a new user of Camtasia by TechSmith and hoped that this course would improve my skills on the video tutorials. I had very little experience with creating videos, so I was appreciative of the new learning and the great resources that was shared. I learned that, “Media production engages, and excites; it leads to unexpected discoveries, increased self-awareness and esteem, sharpened critical thinking, analytical skills, group work skills, and ability to communicate ideas” (Garrison, 1999, para. 1). I enjoyed creating my very first digital story with the free Photostory 3 software. We have this program on all teacher computers, but I had never used it, before this course. The digital story experience was moving and stirred emotions as I told about my battle with cancer. I had debated doing it on my cancer or writing about my dad who had passed away several years ago. “For some, conceiving an idea for a story is an easy process, while for others it is the beginning of a crisis” (Lambert, 2010, p. 1). We were told to interview someone first; and my cohort, Deann convinced me to tell my story about my cancer battle. I was able to interview her about the birth of her first child. This brought the two of us together and helped us develop into great friends. I only met Deann through this Lamar degree program and appreciate the new friend I have gained.

__ Learn as a Learner __

This course provided many different learning opportunities for me. I had not experience video editing before, except with the Flip camera software at school. We had to choose two different programs to create a podcast and a video. Not only were we required to learn two new open source video editors; but we expanded our learning by having to critically evaluate the two video editing programs to point out strengths and weaknesses in each one. I enjoyed using the video editor called Jaycut to create a tutorial for teachers in my district on using it. We were supposed to just create a podcast, but because I had used Audacity before, I extended my skills by adding visuals and turning my podcast into a vodcast. I was proud of the outcome and shared it with teachers at school. The second video editor I chose was Masher that allowed you to mix, mash, and share. I was able to take images of my twin grandchildren’s birth and create a short movie. I had so much fun creating that and was able to email it to them as a memento. I was so proud of my efforts and impressed myself by my new knowledge. Technology empowers you to tread waters that you never dreamed you could. In addition to learning video editing, I was able to learn the power of online collaboration. Working on the public service announcement (PSA) truly enhanced the learning and allowed me to see participate in 21st century learning at its best. For our PSA assignment, we relied on each other’s expertise and talents which made me more willing to share my own. Having willing participants that were focused on reaching the same outcome contributed to the success of our video project. I learned the importance of planning and setting up your project before taking pictures or writing script. We were required to create a storyboard before we could create our video, which I thought was an important step in creating a great PSA. “Taking the time to organize your script in the context of a storyboard tells you what visual materials you require” (2010, p. 31). Not only is project planning important, but keeping a schedule and timeline was too; so that our group knew when to meet for additions and revisions. During this project, I had to learn to accept others’ ideas and to agree to decisions peacefully, even if you wanted something different. Working in a group is not always easy, but the experience was good and helped each of us to practice our social skills. Our group had plenty of creative ideas, but many had to be eliminated due to the 60 second requirement. I was blessed to have great members that shared in all phases of the group project and all took part in the activities, willingly. The experience with this assignment will always be remembered with pleasant memories.

__ Lifelong Learning Skills __

As earlier mentioned, the public service announcement assignment gave me the opportunity to experience 21st century learning. Through our extensive collaborations we were able to develop deep friendships ties with one another. Our hard work and success of our assignment made us proud and confident that we could achieve anything when working as a group. When we had another course come up that require a group project, we immediately called one another. Our friendships allowed us to connect once again and create another successful group project in Teaching with Technology. The group experience has given me new friends that I will share for many years to follow. Another important skill that Video Technology and Multimedia provided for me is the importance of planning out your project before beginning. “…Planning on paper will save the enormous expense of time, energy and money when it comes time to produce your work” (2010, p. 30). Another interesting event occurred during this course while looking for the perfect images to use in my digital story about my battle with cancer. “…images have the power to reveal something to the audience that words just can’t say” (2010, p. 17). I went on Flickr to search and came across a photographer that had the perfect images for my story. I emailed him, explained my project, and asked for permission to use his photos. We emailed back and forth and he shared how touched he was that his photographs were going to be used to tell my cancer story. I agreed to give him credit at the end of my digital story and also to share the finished product with him. This created a great experience and new friendship with a photographer on Flickr clear across the country. I was able to subscribe to his photo stream and comment on his page from time to time. “Storytelling is a vital skill with seemingly unlimited applications. Done well, it can have a magical effect—moving, enlightening, or entertaining audiences of any size” (New, 2005, para. 1). It helped me experience how technology can bring people together that may have never crossed paths without technology.

References

Garrison, A. (1999, Winter). //Video basics and production projects for the classroom.// Retrieved from Center for Media Literacy: http://www.medialit.org/reading_room/article3.html. Lambert, J. (2010, January). Digital Storytelling Cookbook. Berkeley, California, USA. New, J. (2005). How to use digital storytelling in your classroom. //Edutopia//.

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