MultimediaVideoTech-5363-Reflections

= = **Course Reflection**

** 1. What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned? **
At the beginning of the Multimedia Video Technology course, I envisioned learning about the planning and production of video, including how to “think like a producer.” The course was delivered in a way that helped me to gain a deeper understanding of editing and production with each week. I do feel that I achieved those outcomes. I understand the steps in storyboarding and the reason why storyboarding is crucial to the planning process. I am familiar with several options for audio and video editing, both open source and those available for purchase. I have been exposed to many various tips relating to capturing shots and camera use that I had never seen before this course. Overall, I feel much more confident in audio and video production. Looking back at the syllabus, I feel that the actual course outcomes align with the outcomes that I originally envisioned. The creation of multimedia video and opportunities to edit both audio and video have been the most helpful in fulfilling the expectations set forth by the course professors.

** 2. To the extent that you achieved the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not? **
Everything I have learned in the Multimedia Video Technology course has great relevance to my position at school.  As a technology facilitator, I continue to try new ways of bringing content to life in my classroom. Certainly we have seen such engaging videos in the field of science on the Discovery Channel or history on the History Channel on television. The creation of video as a learning tool is a wonderful way to engage students in the classroom. I remember Patti Shank’s article about multimedia in the classroo m and its value:

“Consider whether the combination of media adds to the learning experience. Better yet, ask learners. Is it confusing? Frustrating? Too much?” (Shank, n.d.)

We want to include the right amount of multimedia. Also, when we create it, we want it to be just enough to add to the lesson and not so much that it takes away from the lesson.

"Multimedia that's effective in learning doesn't simply consist of using multiple media together, but combining media mindfully in ways that capitalize on the characteristics of each individual medium and extend and augment the learning experience." (Shank, n.d.)

In an industry where the main constituents are persons under the age of 18, my new knowledge about video technology will give me an edge in creating engaging classroom learning experiences.

Resource: Shank, P.(n.d.). The value of multimedia in Learning. Think tank. Retrieved August 22, 2010, from http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/thinktank/valuemedia

** 3. What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them? **
As far as the outcomes stated in the syllabus, there were none that I did not achieve. If I had to choose one that I could practice, it would be learning to use more audio and video editing software. I feel proficient with PhotoStory, Movie Maker, and Camtasia as well as with Audacity. We recently heard about Voisse, but I have yet to try using it. I would also like more time with Adobe Elements or less-complex options like Jing, Screenr, or even image editing websites such as Photo2Life. VoiceThread is a way to bring images, video, and audio together, and Animoto is another easy and free option. The challenge with having such a wide array of choices is finding the time to preview them enough before presenting them to a classroom full of students. As a teacher, it is important to me to share the options that are valuable to students for age-appropriate use so that I can support the lesson of being good digital citizens.

** 4. Were you successful in completing the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you? **
The assignments in the Multimedia Video Technology course allowed a great deal of creativity on my part. I really enjoyed searching for images to create my digital photostory, and it was very challenging to come up with “my story” – I found myself wanting to take out a journal and write down my thoughts as I delved into the “why I am this way” portion of the storytelling planning process.

I learned how to use a Flip video in this course, and the collaboration with my group helped me to find a good program for video compression. I think that we worked well together in our week 3-5 PSA project. We had a shared vision and divided the tasks so that no one person was responsible for the bulk of the project. I was not fond of the analysis of editing programs, but I realized later that the process was essential to being a good future technology facilitator. We have to continually preview the tools that we will share with our teachers and students.

I felt successful in all of the course assignments thanks to the discussion with my group and also the recorded web conferences. I was able to attend one of the first week’s conferences and felt confident knowing that the other webinars were available to view if I could not attend a scheduled time.

** 5. What did you learn from this course: about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes? **
I grew up as the quiet student who never raised my hand, even if I knew the answer. Today I am not afraid to ask questions if I do not know how to do something. I think back to Garrison’s article and his second commandment: “If you don't know, ask someone. Life offers special bonus points for asking questions and not pretending knowledge.” (Garrison,1999)

Knowing how to self-advocate is a key skill in being successful. Why would a student sit in class not knowing how to do something? I did it myself, and it was fear. Yet, fear will not help us to move forward. Some students have a great fear of failure; so much is this fear, that they will pass up an offer for something great. Randy Nelson’s video about “taking every offer” and being able to “recover from failure” relate to this idea.

I think that I have learned through this technology program that there are many things that I do not know, and if I do not seek to collaborate with others, then I will always be a step behind. My attitude with failure is to keep trying. Technology give me many opportunities to fail! If I fail in a task, then I just need to spend more time with learning how to do it. I can learn so much from others, and it is healthy to engage in discussion when it comes to learning.

All of this supports the idea that learning is social! A good leader promotes healthy collaboration, and I am learning how to connect with others. At school we have a ning, and several of us are connected through Twitter. This year has been a great one for social networking!

Resources: Garrison, A. (1999, Winter). Video basics and production projects for the classroom. Center for Media Literacy. Retrieved September 3, 2010, from http://www.medialit.org/reading_room/article3.html

Randy Nelson, Dean of Pixar University\Nelson, R. (2008). Learning and working in the collaborative age: A new model for the workplace. Edutopia. Retrieved from [].