EDLD+5363+Reflection

=Reflection for EDLD 5363 Multimedia and Video Technology=

As I began the Multimedia and Video Technology course, I envisioned learning how to create and edit videos as well as audio clips. I also hoped to learn how to use multimedia in the classroom to enhance the education of my students. This class was very informative and covered a wide variety of material. The readings were up to date and provided many resources for tutorials on how to effectively produce a quality video. I found the Adobe articles extremely helpful in choosing video shots that are meaningful and communicate to an audience. While completing the PSA project, I had the opportunity to shoot video footage and create audio clips in Audacity. During week 2, I was able to dabble in some video editing and learn about what options are out there to enhance personal videos. Through discussions with classmates, I realized how multimedia projects can truly take your students’ education to a higher level. I achieved the outcomes I had envisioned to a certain degree. I realize there is so much more to learn when it comes to using video editing software such as Movie Maker and an audio editor such as Audacity. I hope to spend more time working with these tools in the future. I believe my outcomes aligned well with those outcomes of the course.

Patti Shank shares, “Researchers have found that multimedia helps people learn more easily because it appeals more readily to diverse learning preferences.” I have already seen evidence of this by using certain skill-based software and multimedia presentations as part of my instruction. My experience using Photo Story for this course will allow me to help my fellow teachers produce digital photo stories with their students to enhance their instruction across content areas. I have already begun sharing what I have learned about producing audio clips to add to other media. We are using Audacity to help create text-to-speech instructional materials for our special education students. In addition, the skills I have learned in using Movie Maker will allow me to help our literacy teachers create videos of their students doing reader’s theater. I am excited about the possibilities that exist and how this could change the education of our students!

 I achieved all the outcomes that I had envisioned, however I do not consider myself to be proficient in using Audacity or Movie Maker. There is so much more for me to learn in order to become proficient. I did not have the time during this course to practice using the programs as much as I would have liked. When I am no longer meeting constant deadlines of graduate school and have recovered fully from surgery, I plan to spend much more time getting acquainted with both programs and exploring other video editing programs with additional features. I tend to be a very detail-oriented person always striving for perfection, and this graduate program has taught me that sometimes I have to just learn the basics and wait to build on my knowledge as time permits. This program has been a springboard for future learning and will allow me to help educate others in the future.

During the Multimedia and Video Technology course, I was able to complete all the assignments before their deadlines. The personal digital story was time consuming because I had to gather many pictures to incorporate into my story, and I had to record the narration several times to gain proper sound quality. It was not difficult once I had all the needed elements. Week 2 was a bit stressful because I had begun the original week 2 assignment loaded on the courseware before receiving the new assignment for the podcast. Once I had the correct assignment, I concentrated all my efforts on producing a quality podcast. The PSA video project was very involved, but working with such a great group of team members made the final goal much more attainable. By collaborating through a wiki and email, we were able to stay on top of deadlines. I was able to contribute by shooting video segments, recording narration, and creating a Creative Commons license.

This course has taught me that I can persevere through unchartered territory by not being afraid to ask questions and being brave enough to try new things. It has tested my technological skills, and I have found deficits that I need to fill as well as I have been pleased to accomplish new tasks. This class “stretched” me further than any other class by requiring me to work with video editing software. I had not shot any videos before this course much less had to edit one, so it was all very new to me. This class has challenged me to seek out additional resources to help me acquire the needed skills to produce quality videos. Working in a collaborative group allowed me to be both a leader and a follower. The way we worked together was unique because everyone became a leader when the task at hand fell into their talent base. This experience allowed me to have a more positive attitude toward group projects. I was blessed to work with a group of women who cared about everyone’s success in the course.

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