EDLD_5363

=Week One - Personal Video Story= media type="file" key="Personal Digital Story MKresta_1.wmv" width="300" height="300" =Week Two - Podcast=

media type="file" key="Week Two Podcast.mp3" width="240" height="20"

**//This podcast is a quick introduction to using Windows Movie Maker. //**
=== //Script: //Remember the day you used your cell phone to video your baby niece dancing to Michael Jackson? Why not put together that series of videos and share them with the rest of the family? It is so easy using Windows Movie Maker. It’s probably already installed on your computer, so jump right in! First, upload videos from your phone to your computer. Then open Windows Movie Maker and import your media. If your files are not compatible, you may need to convert them to an .avi or .wm format. Converters are available on the web for around $50. Next, select storyboard from the view menu. Then drag each clip into a large box on the bottom of the screen in the order you want them to appear. Once this is done, it’s time to add transitions and effects. This is very easy! Just select effects under edit and drag the effect you want onto the star in the corner of the picture of your video clip. If you want to change an effect to your clip, right click on the star, select effects, and use the add remove screen to make changes. You can add transitions the same way, but select transitions on the left and drag them to the smaller boxes in between each clip. Preview your video and if you like it, use the publish option to publish it to your computer, a CD, an e-mail or back to your phone. That’s all there is to it! === ===//Before creating the podcast above, I practiced cutting video. I captured video taken on my phone, cut it, and added text frames. The result is below: media type="file" key="Truck_clip.mp4" width="300" height="300" //===

=Weeks three through five: Video in progress=

Click the link to view our video in progress. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3qyXo4pzgU


 * A copy of the PSA document was uploaded as a document in Google docs and was shared with the group. Everyone signed up for the position that they thought was best for them. A separate document was presented and shared with the group members and was used to collect names, emails, job placement, and phone numbers. We have been using email, Google docs, Google chat, and the phone to communicate.On the week three assignment in Google docs, we listed ideas for topics and chose one quite easily by chatting within the document. We discussed every part of the assignment while filling out the PSA proposal at the same time. We talked about how many shots should be made to make sure not to go over the time that was allotted. Everyone jotted down as many ideas as they could think of that would best suit the proposal and then we edited the document as we finished. In another group editing session, a second table was created so that the group could see the project in close to storyboard form and discuss ideas.Everyone took a role based on their ability and tools that were available to them. One person in the group has technology tools that are available to create shots and will shoot the video. In the middle of week four, a mock video using captured footage was viewed by all members to that everyone could comment on video quality and consider alternate scenes. By the end of week four, all footage was shot, audio was recorded, and the PSA was ready for edit. It was disseminated to all members via YouTube, and all were given the opportunity to comment. Changes made included blurring names on Facebook shot, re-setting shot with students receiving text messages, and adding the Creative Commons license to the last frame.Each person in the group has had input throughout the process and has contributed to the final product. A review of the Google Docs history and GMail shows a collaborative effort. ||

=Week Five - Final Revised Version of PSA= =media type="file" key="cyberbully_final.mp4" width="300" height="300"=

Thank you to the students and staff of El Campo High School, El Campo, Texas for their volunteerism and support of this project. =Group E-Mail and Chat= The group communicated through Google Docs, Chat and E-Mail. Examples of the communication are contained in the attached file.



=Course Reflection Prompts=

I was very apprehensive coming into this course. Working with someone who is extremely proficient in video shooting and editing, I knew I had ready access to an expert, but watching him all these years, I was very hesitant to try it on my own. In the past I had done simple video editing, and it took me much more time than was necessary. The time factor caused me great concern.

Once I began working on the projects for the class, I realized that I am lucky to have access to the entire Adobe CS4 Production Premium suite of software. When I ran into trouble with the free software, I could usually make the necessary changes in Soundbooth or Premiere.

I am now amazed at how quickly I can capture, cut, edit, splice, and create workable video. I have already started to use some of the concepts in my classroom and in teacher education. The software, when forced to use it over and over again, becomes much easier, and after working through the hurdles set before me, I now know many things to avoid. I achieved not only the course outcomes, but skills I didn’t imagine.

The outcomes have become relevant. Normally the video tech teacher does “anything that moves” and I do the print media. But word got out about the bullying video, and our Teen Court sponsor asked me to help with a video presentation her students must do next week. The video tech teacher is not available. In the past, I would have never agreed to help, but I now feel confident in my abilities and look forward to helping with this project.

As time goes on, I know that the concepts covered in this class will be helpful. This is the first semester our high school has designated IT people specifically focused on helping the teachers. The problem is that we are only available one class period a day. We now plan to video our next training, along with screen shots, and create a tutorial for teachers who cannot make it during our conference or after school.

The drama teacher just asked if my public relations students would be interested in shooting commercials to show before and during intermission at our fall production. The ways to use these new skills are coming from a variety of places, and all began with me shooting video in the hallway.

There were no outcomes that I did not achieve. Our group was successful in creating a high quality video. I would have preferred to use more voices from members of the group, but getting audio at the necessary sample rate in the limited amount of time became impossible.

I also learned a lot about the use of digital story telling in the classroom. In the winter, my class does a project that incorporates images they must procure and edit, but taking it a step further and adding the video component may help the students be more interested in the project.

The most surprising outcome of the class was the information gained regarding cloud computing while working with my group online. The options available with Google Docs and GMail are amazing. I did find out that my school does not block Google Docs, but it does block GMail, which caused a few problems.

I was successful in completing each of the course assignments. On my blog and wiki are the Personal Digital Story, Podcast, and our Group PSA. The Personal Digital Story was a fun project, since I focused on my family. Using photos on my computer, I was able to tell the story of how we function in our multiple worlds. I am grateful to my study partner for coming up with an idea that could come to fruition within the timeframe allotted.

The Podcast was a challenge. Finding a free video editing program that would allow me to capture video from my phone was difficult. I do not have the translation software they required. Also, I did not know that you could not upload audio on YouTube, so I wasted time and finally uploaded it to Teacher Tube. That was another experience, but now that I have the account set up, I have used it for other things.

The group project was fun but challenging. The group did a great job of collaborating and being positive about each member’s contribution. The challenge on my part was letting go of control. I enjoy being in complete control and letting someone else affect on my grade was difficult.

Going into this course, I felt very apprehensive about my skills in the area of video technology. Within the first week, I began to feel more confident. Knowing that others were unskilled in this area helped my confidence. As we began working on the first project, my creative side emerged. I saw it as just doing the assignment, but some of my cohorts were extremely complimentary, further raising my hopes that I would be able to succeed. By the time we started the group project, I did not hesitate to offer to shoot the video. Three weeks earlier I would not have considered it, but it seemed perfect when we were discussion everyone’s strengths. I’m so glad I did, since it gave me an amazing opportunity with my students.

I do not have patience for those who cannot or will not do their part, but I knew this going into the project. I am grateful that everyone in our group offered their expertise and did their best. Also, I have gained so much confidence in the area of multi-media that I am using it more in my classroom and creating training for our teachers on campus.