EDLD+5363+Course+Reflection

==== ** Course Reflection ** ==== ==== When EDLD 5363 Multimedia and Video Technology popped on my email for the first time, I was excited thinking I would be able to get hands-on experience with technology. It seems most of the other classes we had simply been just talking about technology and had not been given the opportunity to dive head first! After reading through the class description and listening to Week One videos, I wanted to be able to create a product and use technology to which I had not yet been exposed. All of these envisioned outcomes came to fruition through the creation of a photostory, podcast, and public service announcement. Not only did I learn how to create these products, but I learned how to collaborate, which is a key to success. The course outcomes were similar to my personal outcomes, as I learned about video production, from rough cuts to final edits. ==== ==== Although, I did create the products which met the requirements, I faced many challenges. One challenge is the relevance to my own work. As a first year teacher, I struggle with mastering the daily routine, as well as struggle with incorporating technology. This past week has bee a circus act with the end of the six weeks arriving just in time for our PSA to be complete. Luckily, I had a great support group to help me along the way. I want technology to be part of my daily routine, but I still need to finish setting up the computers in my classroom! Hopefully, I will be able to use what I’ve learned during the school year and get my students excited about technology and learning. One of my group members made a direct connection with her learning and work. She has used the same lesson of creating a PSA to share with her students about Drug Awareness. This really hits home for me, because I can see that it can be done! ==== ==== A second challenge that I faced was time. The wretched clock continued ticking even as the the “real world” moved along. Our group mentioned several times that if we had more time, we could have really perfected and completed our initial plan. However, I learned that every project will have a deadline, and we put our best efforts in to complete the requirements and were all satisfaied with the end result. Similarly, our ability to transfer files delayed our process. Some of us in the group were not able to open WMV files, while others posted on TeacherTube and were not able to access it again. “Technology happens” became the quote around my house these past few weeks. After dealing with a computer crash but pressing onward, we were able to work as a team to collaborate and divide responsibility. ==== ==== Overall, I believe I was successful in completing the course assignments, even if challengs arose. The digital storytelling assignment was intimidating at first, however once I realized simple method I was able to put some creativity into the project. The second project, creating a Podcast, was worrisome for me, as I still struggle with Audcaity. Perhaps the poor timing of my computer crashing and creating a Podcast weigh heavily on my heart. Using Audacity was never a problem, but the encoders are still giving me trouble. Needless to say, I was able to complete the assignment. Our final assignment, creating the PSA, was quite successful even hundreds of miles apart. Not only do I believe that I was successful in completeing the course assignments, but the group as a whole was able to work together efficiently using Google Docs and just a few emails! ==== ==== My final challenge was the learning the abstract concept of copyright attribution. Again, a group member walked us through the process to make it simpler to understand. I learned that video, images, and music obtained using the Creative Commons site each have a license, and to notice what type of “rights” are given is necessary in order to compile your own video. Once we completed our own video, we gained a Creative Commons license, which can be edited, adapted, and modified. Once I was able to participate in the copyright attribution, I understood the process and necessity. ==== ==== I’ve never thought of myself as a technology- savvy person, but through this course I’ve learned that being a digital native automatically makes me techno-savvy! I was able to quickly find to complete multimedia products. Although I still have quite a bit to learn in regard to technology, I was able to help my group members. I’ve even tried to relay the information to my digitally immigrated parents. Often, they think anything I create is outstanding. When I realized they were sharing the products with other family members and teacher friends, I knew that they shoul jump on board and incorporate similar products in their work life. Our group was able to highlight the strengths of our members, adding creativity, being a bookkeeper, and providing support were three attributes I gave to the group. I’m not quite as intimidated or nervous when it comes to creating “something” with technology. It’s best to jump in, make mistakes, and try again. ====