Multimedia+EDLD+5363+Course+Reflection

=  Multimedia EDLS 5363 Course Reflection =

What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned?

The outcomes I envisioned for this course were that I would feel more confident using multimedia software to produce teaching and learning materials, and feel confident enough to teach other teachers how to integrate multimedia into instruction and learning. I believe I did achieve those outcomes through the production of the digital story, podcast and PSA. I had used Photostory 3 once prior to taking this course, but I certainly did not feel comfortable producing multimedia projects for my classroom. Creating my digital story was the perfect project for me to learn to use Movie Maker as a teaching and learning tool. The act of using photos to create a personal story to share with others made the project more valuable, and therefore; it was more important for me to learn to use the software correctly. In my podcast, I recorded a brief overview of Movie Maker for a beginner. Narrating step-by-step instructions built my confidence as an educational technology leader. I feel comfortable explaining Movie Maker to another teacher who wants to learn to use it, or to a student who has never used the software. The PSA project was most helpful to me in achieving my outcomes because I determined my own strengths and weaknesses in multimedia and I learned from my group members' areas of strength. One drawback to using our individual strengths in the PSA group was that I did not complete each part of the project myself. I was able to visualize and anticipate how teachers and students would benefit from using video editing software to create stories as alternative instruction and assessment. The course outcomes did align with the outcomes I envisioned for myself. By using planning and designing a digital story, a podcast, and a PSA, I feel prepared to assist other teachers, and students, with multimedia software and projects. Now that I have learned about the various video editing technology available, I feel confident that I can choose the appropriate tool for a particular lesson, or specific learning purpose.

To the extent that you achieved the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not?

The outcomes I achieved are relevant to the work I do in my school. As a classroom teacher, I have already incorporated digital storytelling into a course I teach. I am the advisor of the online magazine on my campus. The course is new and the students were developing the first online issue during my completion of this course. While discussing the theme for the first issue, the subject of digital storytelling became the center of the discussion. I showed my students my digital story and they decided to create their own stories and make digital storytelling the theme of the first issue of the magazine. The course outcomes are also relevant to my job as department chair of the Technology/ CTE department. As a campus leader, I am able to share what I have learned with teachers in my department, and teachers in other departments, to give them more options for instructional strategies and assessment options. It has become more important to me to set an example for technology integration on my campus because I have experienced the technology first-hand and I can anticipate the questions, problems, and successes myself.

What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?

Two areas in which I did not fully achieve a higher confidence level was in the production process and in using a variety of video editing software. While I do believe I was a valuable contributor to my PSA group, I did not complete all aspects of the production process on my own. As a writer, I was able to contribute the narration script and the script outline. I wanted to establish a more solid video production skill level so that I can teach others how to use video as a teaching and learning tool. I believe I would feel more confident with the production process if I had been able to edit the video footage, narration, music, and create the text and graphics myself. I value the opportunity to work in a group, and I enjoyed the experience of learning from teachers with strengths different from mine, but I feel that I missed out on the production aspect that aspect of the experience. Limited time and logistics prevented our group from getting out of our comfort zones and improving our new skills. Had we been working in the same location and had more time to work together, I would have felt more comfortable leaving my writer role to try something new, like video editing in Adobe Premier Pro.  Were you successful in completing the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you? I was successful in completing the course assignments. I was intimidated during the first week of the course because of my limited experience in multimedia and video technology, but once I began the digital story I felt better about my ability level. The digital story was a great beginning assignment for me because I was able to create my story and share it with my students as an example of what they might do in the online magazine. Teaching digital storytelling immediately after I learned it reinforced my skills and I felt better prepared to complete the analysis of two different pieces of video editing software. The analysis was an invaluable experience for me because I had to anticipate the problems and questions another teacher might have when learning to use Movie Maker. It put me in the role of an instructional technology leader who addresses questions and solves technology issues similar to that each day. In addition, the PSA was a valuable collaborative experience for me. I was concerned, but not discouraged, about how the group would address the obvious logistical problem, but overcoming the distance between us was just as great a part of the learning experience as the production process. What I learned about web conferencing, using Google sites, and email communication with help me with future endeavors in distance and online learning.

 What did you learn from this course: about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes? From this course, and in the other courses I've completed, I learned that I can take time to learn to use technology that intimidates me. My confidence level is much higher as a result of this course because I have visual evidence to prove to myself that I am able to use my strengths to improve my weaknesses. I came into this course as a teacher with a print media background and very unsure of how that would transfer to video. Since the first week of EDLD 5363, I have learned that a person who can write well can easily transfer those skills into video by learning to use images to illustrate the written word. I was able to complete a digital story and immediately use that new knowledge in the classroom to teach my students how to create a digital story. As a result, I have been approached by other teachers who want to know how to integrate digital video into their classrooms. As a campus leader and technology teacher, I am in the perfect position to set an example for other teachers. This course experience, combined with my past experiences teaching foreign language, English, speech, technology, and journalism have enabled me to assist and lead teachers outside of my department. I am able to envision video technology and multimedia in a wide variety of courses and lessons. My attitude about using multimedia in the classroom has changed as well. I once thought of multimedia and video technology as isolated courses and skills that most teachers and students would not utilize due to time and availability. Now I understand that when students are given the opportunity and time to create a visual interpretation of a concept, they can produce multimedia projects that are more powerful than an essay or Power Point presentation. Teachers who see students producing multimedia and video projects see the value in these projects as alternative means of assessment. I believe that my shift in attitude will transfer to other teachers if I continue to learn new skills and share them.