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.