EDLD+5363+Week+5+Reflections

EDLD 5363 - Multimedia and Video Technology Course Reflections At the start of this course I had very little experience with video editing. My hope was to expand my knowledge of video and audio editing. I was proficient with digital story telling, but there is always something new to be learned. Remixing video and audio to create a new product is something my students have asked to do in the past, and I had envisioned learning some skills in this area as well. Also I wanted to become familiar with different file formats as that is extremely important when working with audio and video files. During each week I learned a new technique or skill related to video and audio recording. The outcomes of the course exceeded what I had expected. Although each assignment was very time consuming, each built upon the next and allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of multimedia. As a bonus, I also produced a personal digital story that my husband loved!

The material in this course is extremely relevant to my current teaching position. I have begun video morning announcements with my fifth grade students this school year. I was very apprehensive as I started the project, but I was determined to forge ahead and provide a student-centered learning experience for my students. Their videos are not of a professional quality, but the students are learning about using different shots—wide, tight, close up—and how to edit shots to engage the audience. I have been able to teach them with confidence as well as learn from them throughout the process. Allowing the students to “push and lead” me and to learn by trial and error has proven very helpful with this project (New, 2005). The outcomes from this class have also provided with additional tools to evaluate the digital story telling unit that I have taught for a number of years.

I must admit that there are not any learning outcomes or performance outcomes that I did not achieve. I have mastered some and only gotten my feet wet with others, but each was experienced—just at different levels. I have gained an advanced understanding of multimedia as it relates to teaching and learning with students. I know how and why to include multimedia in my instruction. Integrating multisensory (text, images, audio and video) presentation into classroom learning is engaging to 21st century students. In weeks three through five, collaboration among our five member team provided me the opportunity to use many Web 2.0 tools to a greater degree that I had in the past. Working with each other during those weeks allowed us to learn from each other and to discover our strengths and weaknesses. Taking time to debrief and reflect once our team finished the project was significant as well. We were able to look at where we started and how we needed to adjust each week to produce the PSA.

I was able to complete all of the course assignments within the allot timeframe. The assignments in week one and two helped me to personally gain a deeper understanding and working knowledge of file formats and multimedia software before moving on to group work in the final three weeks of the course. The digital story assignment provided a great learning experience and provided me with a digital memory that I will enjoy for years to come. Working with the voiceover and the podcast provided me with the practice needed to gain both confidence and expertise in audio and video editing. Once the group project began, we all used our expertise to complete the PSA. The use of Web 2.0 resources was ideal for planning, designing and evaluating our work. Not only did we have the opportunity to develop video and audio mixing and editing skills, but we also were able to familiarize ourselves with various communication resources online.

From this course I will take away many new skills—both in technology and leadership. As expected, I educated myself on several video editing software programs through reading, exploring and creating. I increased my knowledge about the value of storyboarding and the design and development of multimedia projects. Attitude played a huge role in this course with all the changes that occurred from the updated syllabus. I decided in week one that I would take one week at a time and embrace the changes that occurred as an authentic learning experience. Successful teamwork requires utilizing leadership skills and this held true in our group project. Each of us applied our own leadership style and direction to individual parts of the project as well as our whole group collaboration. Being a computer teacher, I enjoyed the assignments and content of this course and will be able to apply many new techniques in my classroom. It has also provided me with the expertise to assist others through professional development that I plan and present to campus staff.

New, J. (2005). How to use digital storytelling in your classroom. Edutopia. Retrieved September 4, 2010, from http://www.edutopia.org/use-digital-storytelling-classroom.