EDLD+5363+Course+Reflections

=__Course Reflections for EDLD 5363:__=

**Multimedia and Video Production**
 As I began this course, I was not very clear about what outcomes I expected from the class. I thought that I might learn more about how to make class slideshows and movies using computer software. I wanted to learn new ways to incorporate more of this type of learning in my classroom. I successfully produced and uploaded a digital video in Photo Story 2, as well as a short movie using Windows Movie Maker. Photo Story 3 was an easy program to learn to use, even for a novice like me. However, it took a lot more effort to learn and produce a quality video using Movie Maker 3. It was a challenge to get the audio and video alignment adjusted to make the video clip exactly three minutes. I found both programs exciting to use and can’t wait to use them in my classroom with my students. I also participated in a group project where we collaborated, brainstormed, shot and produced a 60 second Public Service Announcement. The PSA was about Early Colon Cancer Screening and was very important to members of our group. One of my partners, Arleen, had just lost her sister to colon cancer in April and my husband’s uncle has only 6 months to live. We felt like we had a very important message to share.

=
I did have lots of new learning experiences with this course. I achieved my expected outcomes to a great extent and I plan on using this newly acquired knowledge in my classes. These outcomes are very relevant to my teaching position in the First Grade. My young students are not afraid to try new technologies and will greatly benefit from the knowledge I gained from this course. I plan to have them work in groups to develop simple video projects such as an “All about Our School” and “Welcome to Our Classroom.” The challenge will be in getting the groups to collaborate and cooperate, just as it was for me during this course.Research says that "a nother effect of technology cited by a great majority of teachers is an increased inclination on the part of students to //work cooperatively// and to provide //peer tutoring//." (Singh, 2001) I feel that in today’s digital age it is important for my students to be able to produce a personal digital story and learn to publish it to the web as a way to communicate with others. This will probably become a basic requirement for every elementary student in the future and I will be able to provide my students with the basic knowledge they need to be successful. Research has shown that " children in classrooms were significantly more likely to collaborate with each other when they worked with the computers, when compared with their interaction over other classroom tasks." (Hawkins, et al, 1982) ====== The course description for EDLD 5363 is that students will work in collaborative teams and use digital media to produce a PSA or other short work and post it to the web. I found this process to be very frustrating at times and did not feel that I was achieving the outcomes from the course I envisioned when I began. It is nearly impossible to collaborate solely online using wikis and email. The physical distance between our group members made it hard for us all to coordinate our schedules and timetables. Not everyone agreed on when we should have the assignment done and ready to submit. One member of our group signed up to join us, but we never heard from her again. Another member wanted to wait until the night before the assigned work was due to discuss and complete the assignments. We relied very heavily on the class wiki, email and called one another on our cell phones. Not everyone would answer or respond to the emails or wiki posts. Often, our cell phones were the only way to communicate in a timely manner. We had a difficult time with our shot list and who would be responsible for which shots. The group agreed on the subject of our PSA very quickly, but the after that the process bogged down. We used Windows Movie Maker to edit and produce the original video clips that we shot ourselves. The only copyrighted material that we used was in the music clip, Lasting Hope, and it was located by Kim Flippin at http://incompetech.com/. The other information about cancer screening was obtained from cohttp://www.cancer.gov, http://www.medicinenet.com /colon_cancer/page7.htm, http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601124&sid=a2grILJVL.PQ and http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/sfl/psa_transcripts_tv.htm. I learned a lot about myself through this course. I really like to work on my own time-table and being responsible for my own assignments. I did not like relying on others to get the work done and I became impatient and frustrated often throughout the last three weeks. I was able to complete all the assignments, but it took lots of effort to coordinate with others and I felt a lot more comfortable with the individual assignments. I did not like relying on others to do their best work and the fact that a percentage of my grade depended on us being able to work collaboratively. Collaboration is a great thing, but distance made it much harder. Research says that "collaboration encourages teachers to be risk takers in implementing new ideas, and supports and sustains new concepts in teaching." (Wiley, 1997) A positive is that I have increased my knowledge of video software and now know about freeware through the course readings that I can access at school without spending my classroom budget. My technology skills improved with this course and I will be able to apply them next school year as a grade-level technology leader, but my attitude and my level of patience could probably use some more work! //

Hawkins, j. Sheingold, K. Gearhar, m., Initials. (1982).//Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology//, //3//(4), 361-373. Singh, R. (2001). Technology and Education Reform. //U.s. department of education//. Retrieved (2010, May 10) from http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/index.html Wiley, J. (1992). Teacher collaboration across and within schools: supporting individual change in elementary science teaching. //Science Education//, //81//. Retrieved from http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/45919/abstract
 * References:**