Course+Embedded+Assignments-Week+4


 * Reflective Responses to Embedded Assignments - Week 4

EDLD 5363 Video Technology and Multimedia - 15 Embedded Hours **

Video Technology and Multimedia was by far, the most informative and relevant class of the entire Master's program. The class provided an opportunity to create a sixty second or less Public Service Announcement for parents and community partners. Students worked in teams to create the PSA, with each member taking a role or multiple roles that they were responsible to complete. In creating the PSA, the team was required to capture and integrate sound, video, and digital images and publish the final product on the web. I participated in the creation of two PSA's. During the class, Aaachoo...Not the Flu! and 21st Century Pirates. I became competent in using MovieMaker and Audacity and am confident that I can teach others to use them. I realized that making a sixty second PSA requires hours of work by multiple team members in order to produce a quality product. I found that when I recorded my narration in the Audacity software, I had to repeat the task several times to get the rhythm in sync with the video portion of the PSA. I was surprised at the ease in which the PSA's uploaded to YouTube. It is an extremely user-friendly website! I really enjoyed learning to create a multimedia presentation. I was able to instantly integrate what I learned into my classroom setting.

As I compare this project with projects I produced just a few years ago, I realize how far technology has progressed. Projects that formerly could be viewed in only one classroom via video camera hook-up through the television, can now be uploaded to sites like YouTube and TeacherTube. In a matter of seconds, an audience of thousands can access the video anytime they want, from anywhere they happen to be as long as they have an Internet connection.

The information I learned from this class was put to immediate use in my classroom. I taught the students to use Moviemaker and Audacity to create short media clips. They really enjoyed the process, and several students worked together to create their own PSA. I also had an opportunity to embed the 21st Century Pirates created in this class into a video I created to inform the faculty and students about copyright law and intellectual property.

I referred my colleagues to the PSA's on YouTube. Although the feedback was positive, no one wanted to learn to use multimedia as a tool in their classrooms. They said it was too time consuming and of little value. I was quite taken aback. After relating the excitement it made in my classroom, they still did not want to put in the time to learn to use the software. "The campus focus is to raise and maintain test scores, not to produce video," was one of the nicest comments I heard.

As I worked with two different groups during the PSA projects, I noted that both groups worked well together. Each team member carried out the task or tasks they chose as their responsibility. Each person participated fully, and no conflict, confrontation, or hurt feelings evolved from either group. Each group came to a consensus and agreed on how to best approach the assignment.

There did not seem to be any concerns among the group members. Each group worked as a collaborative community as professionals, in an atmosphere of mutual respect with a common goal. I am proud to have been a member of both groups.

I question the reason my colleagues are unwilling to use multimedia in their classrooms. I would like to know how other teachers in the Master's Program were received by their peers.

I am puzzled to know that my colleagues do not see the value of using multimedia. It is such an easy way to "hook" students into wanting to learn. I think the more tools we have available in our classrooms for students to use, the more the student will be motivated to learn.


 * EDLD 5365 Web Design - 14 Embedd****ed Hours**

This class was the most technical of the classes I have taken. During this class, I learned to use Google Docs to create a Web policy for my school that addressed security, legal and ethical issues. This was created as part of the plan to update the school's current web policy. The web policy addressed copyright issues and intellectual property, Users were required to adhere to strict standards which were aligned with district policy and those established by the Webmaster and the principal. Policy was written to address violations and the possible remedy for those accused violating the school's web policy. In an effort to improve security, the Website Administrator will either upload, or approve all information to be placed on the school website.

Creating the document in Google Docs and downloading it as a Word document was a simple task. Google is extremely user-friendly and easy to use, even by a technology challenged individual. All that was required was to type the document, save it, and download it as a Word Document.

I already knew how to use Google Docs, but I didn't know anything about writing web policy. The Web has evolved so rapidly that most current web policies do not include Web 2.0 tools such as wikis, blogs and RSS feeds, so it is important to update web policies regularly to meet the demands of new technology.

From the information I learned during this class, I have written our first web policy. Our school has never had a web policy, so my principal is pleased to incorporate it as a part of our administrative policy. I will refine the draft and, with his additional input, publish the final document.

I discussed the proposed policy with some of the teachers at my school. They understood that safety is an issue when using student names and faces on classroom and school projects. Because of some issues that have arisen, our faculty is well aware of the dangers involved. They did not have any feelings one way or the other regarding the policy as it was written.

I worked alone on this assignment. It was not a group process. My only concern was that I knew that I would think of a dozen items to add after I turned in the assignment. That turned out to be the case.

I would like to research web policies designed by other schools and districts in my area to compare with the policy I wrote. I would incorporate some of their ideas into my document in order to strengthen the school's web policy.

I am puzzled to know whether or not any of my colleagues would be interested in collaborating with me in finalizing the school's web policy.