EDLD 5363 Web Conference Week 5

This week web conference gave me some important pointers to remind me how complex is the process to create a movie.

Collaboration is not always easy even when the team members are together, imagine now the same project but having everyone on remote locations.  That was one of our challenges this week. As a team, working and coordinating our skills and schedules to complete our PSA. Another situation faced was the exchange of files that normally isn't a problem but since our project require audio and video the size of them were significant. Our team use several methods. We tried Google Docs, Drop Box and finally the traditional method, email. I would say that this week goal was achieved. It is true we have several obstacles but at the end we were successful.

As Dr. Abernathy mentioned, part of our learning was the use of the web 2.o tools to collaborate, the selection of different software platforms to share and create a projects but the most important of them was the embedded one, the process.  We learned the process, the steps, actions to take with the idea of sharing that knowledge with our students while they develop their own products. At the same time we used several web 2.0 tools that for one reason or other made our work simpler, at that is one of our objectives too. Keep ourselves looking for new innovative ideas to implement in the classroom as facilitators for our students to learn.

I need to improve my knowledge on the adequate use of copyright material and how to reference the appropriate sources from the used content.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New 2012!

EDLD 5363 Reflection Week 5

Creating a movie requires a careful planning. The pre-production stage merely defines the initial content to  express based on the topic to cover. As the project develops into the production stage, the members share ideas and more details are incorporated. This could lead to major changes on the concept or different approaches to cover it. Is at this moment when the original shots are modified and adjust to meet the required criteria. Once the movie is completed, the team must define the final format based on the target audience.

I believe this P.S.A. (Cell Phone Use) could be greatly improved on the audio and video part. The factor that limits the movie is the time allocation. We even try to reduce the time but wasn't possible without affecting the content to be shared.

In this movie we used original recordings, video segments from internet and public pictures related to the content downloaded from the internet.

Our collaboration wasn't as smooth as we initially planned but we managed to get together to share ideas and concepts often. I would suggest for this type of project a daily meeting to discuss advances and keep members on task. In general, I found this project relevant to my knowledge and I will be able to use the subjects learned immediately with my students. There are a few areas that I need to review to improve my knowledge, as well as to try the different movie packages to identify one that fill my students needs.

EDLD 5363 Web Conference Week 2

This web conference in particular help me understand the assignment for the second week. I was confused since the instructions were not clear enough. Dr. Abernathy explained the objectives to achieved during this week and the following ones. She gave us the appropriate directions on the content and how to proceed. Our goal is to design a basic tutorial of a free video editing software. Using Audacity, or any other audio software we will record a Podcast. Dr. Abernathy suggested to review the You Tube tutorials from both programs to get a good understanding on how to use them. The exposure to both programs, and some practice experience will be key components that will help us complete the assignment. Our content script needs to be shared and reviewed before we attempt to record our Podcast. That part will be done in collaboration with our partner who will provide the appropriate insight before we get to attempt complete the final product. Once this content is reviewed and edit it will be ready to be recorded , published, and shared with everyone. The final product must be embedded in our wiki or blog.

Is good to notice how everyone on the conference is involved and engaged on the activity. I was not the only one with doubts and everyone shared their concerns about the assignment. I really like the experience of the conference that allow me to get to know my classmates as well as to acquired valuable resources that I will be using in this class or in future projects. 

Windows Live Movie Maker for Windows 7

Windows Live Movie Maker for Windows 7 is a pretty simple and easy to use program to edit videos. The design has many similar features as some of the Microsoft Office products like, Excel, Word, and Power Point. The friendly user interface let the user navigate through the different stages of edition with minor complications. At the top of the main window a series of tabs allows the user the access to menus and functions that can be applied on the content. Adding pictures, video, and music can be done from the main central window, or with the icons that represent the content to be used. Once the content is selected it goes into an area that let the user manipulate the content.  According to the content to manipulate several tools will be made available with special tabs that are activated in different colors. Having the different elements on the screen allows the user to work on a graphic story board while adjusting the time of display.  The program permit the enhancement of the content by adding animations and visual effects.  That was the moment I've noticed minor glitches on the software operation. By adding and changing different effects and transitions slowed down the processing capacity of the computer. Another neat feature is the insertion of  titles, captions and notes can be added as required into the movie. A convenient set of tools allows you to trim the content when necessary.  One of the features that I like the most are the options you have to publish online. There are direct icons to upload the content to You Tube, Face Book and Sky Drive, Windows Live Groups  and Flickr. The file extension is .wmv which can easily be converted to another format if necessary.

I have used in my classroom the previous versions of movie maker software and covered the basics with my students to begin a project. I'll be honest. Based on this week readings I must say that my knowledge was more practical than theoretical. My classes had developed some good projects based on trial and error. With the information and knowledge acquired I have a clear idea how to introduce and lead my group this year to develop quality pieces. The projects are defined based on the curriculum covered.  My students don't  "shot scenes" or capture "reference landmarks" in their movies since our movies normally use pictures or small video sequences. I would definitively recommend the "The various stages of creating a digital video" to let them know the basic steps to develop  their projects.  An obligated reading will be "Stanford copyright and fair use" since most of our content comes from the web, they should be responsible to use the material within the legal boundaries. Finally, I would cover and let them review the article "The Art of the edit", the content is a perfect example of the complexity that a director and editor need to overcome while creating a movies. There are some definitions and ideas that could be applied in our school projects in addition to all the different details to consider as part of video editing.  I visualize future school applications and with the practice I'll be able to guide my students and my personal projects to a successful completion.

Reference:

Desktop-Video-Guide. (n.d.). The various stages of creating a digital video. Retrieved on April 20, 2009, from http://www.desktop-video-guide.com/video-creation.html

Stanford University, Palo Alto, Library. (n.d.). Proposed educational guidelines on fair use. Retrieved on April 6, 2009, from http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyright _and_Fair_Use_Overview/chapter7/7-c.html#3

Lonnquist, J. (1994, November). The art of the edit. Videomaker. Retrieved on April 6, 2009, from http://www.videomaker.com/article/1691/ 

Personal Digital Story

I found this experience not only interesting but revealing. The interesting part is related to the process. Defining the topic and collaborating with a partner using web 2.0 tools isn't easy and requires coordination and disposition from both parties. My partner and I shared our ideas and exchange our different points of view about the content of our script. From there we went on different paths. I used Photo Story 3 to develop my project. From there, I gathered some pictures and develop a story board. That gave me a clear idea on how to arrange the content to try to explain my story. Photo Story 3 embedded instructions make it easy to developed the video. I had a few difficulties with the audio and recording setting. These are probably some of  the issues I need to address during the following activities.

The revealing part is about the personal content that is used to create the video. To be able to express and share these personal recollections make this product unique. I probably will be using the application to share and express my appreciation to several personal experiences that will be worth to keep.

On the professional side, this practice allow me to gain more experience on how to develop products related to education that I could generate and share with my students.

Action Research Draft on Internet Safety

The following link has an update on my Action Research project. Some problems were faced last year that we expect to overcome this school cycle 2011-2012.

https://sites.google.com/site/lamartechnolgyleadership/action-research-project

Approved Action Research on Internet Safety

This is the latest version of my action research and it took several stages to have it approved. I know this won't be the last one. All your comments are welcome and I will try to share my findings during the process.

The action research will kick off after spring break vacations. Most of the practice will be performed at the school lab and we will be offering the students after school lab hours to allow more interaction time. To simulate real life scenarios we will suggest some sites to access sources that normally are blocked.  Specific web sites could be unblocked at the district level for short periods of time and we will be working to have them ready before their practice.  Since school networks are always controlled and restricted we will try to emulate some scenarios. At this moment the Edmodo, an educational social networking program, is a possible choice to let the students acquire some experience for the real world wide web social networks.

Action Research Draft on Internet Safety

The attached image has my Action Research Draft on Internet Safety. Please, take a look and let me know your comments.

Finding your wondering

After thinking about it, I came to the conclusion that a wondering could be explained as an internal reflection of the teacher, administrator or leader who consciously observe, analyze and define a solution to a problem.  The process starts with a particular event that needs to be address and modification are considered to improve the results. To be able to define a wondering demands the knowledge of many factors like staff development, curriculum, teachers and students, the culture of the school, how the leader is perceived, school performance and the social environment too. Once the wondering has been target and action research plan is consider as a option for the improvement. Sometimes this wondering can evolve and become complex, but that is no unusual when you are on the look for excellence

How educational leaders might use blogs?

Educational leaders could take advantage of this web based tool. Not only they could publish their findings by adding any sort of media but they could create a network of inquirers for data acquisition. A network of educators could find it useful too as a way to share, exchange ideas, and get feedback from colleagues. 

Action Research

I understand action research as a methodology used to correct a problem in the school environment. This methodology can be describe as a cycle of reflections and actions. Teachers and administrators could define an issue, and a plan to solve it must be defined.  The teacher put in practice those steps. At the end of the time frame, data is analyzed. If necessary modifications on the plan are made and must be executed again. One important advantage to consider on this process would be the absolute disposition of the teacher to modify their practice since they are an important component on the process.

 As a teacher, I could think of several opportunities to use action research.  Standards from 3rd to 5th grade require the students to successfully complete the state TAKS tests to be promoted. I could use district assessment and school data to target the lowest population and define a plan for improvement. This could be applied for subjects like Math, Reading and Writing. The plan could be used specifically to target that group during tutorials, small group instruction or centers.

 Another  application could be the effective use of technology in the classroom. Not only the use of the equipment but the mastery of the skills. By using several defined practices  the students could become familiar with the equipment and by using a software platform they could acquire knowledge on a subject. At the end, students could demonstrate knowledge by developing a project. Students who can't complete the assignment could have a remediation process were skills to be reinforced are practiced. Later they could re-do their work. By having this information  filed, teachers could define a better process for their students in the following years.