EDLD 5363 Web Conference Reflection

I would have to say that this course, Multimedia and Video Technology, has been very challenging this past week. I had to accomplish tasks I have never done in the past. Technology is great but, I have had some problems concerning the web conferences.

Web conferences are not as beneficial to me as it is for some. Every time that I log into one, I can never understand the speaker because my audio is going in and out. It may be my internet service provider, but this is the best I can get because of the area I live in. I am so grateful to have supportive and caring people around me. Dr. Abernathy, Dawn, and my peers are always there to answer my questions to the best of their abilities. They truly want to see you succeed in life.

I have also enjoyed working with my partners over the past couple of weeks. They are very helpful because they are more technology savvy than I am. If I have any questions they are always quick to respond to my emails. 

EDLD 5363 Week 2 Reflections

Before this class I have never used any software to edit videos. So I was very excited and nervous about this week’s assignment. This week’s assignment was to research and evaluate a free editing software application that we have never used in the past. I search and came across “Muvee Reveal”. I instantly liked this software because it was already installed on my windows 7 computer. After playing on it and reviewing some tutorials I thought this software was very easy and simple. I also thought that it would be very easy to incorporate into my lessons because it was very child-friendly and awesome for beginners. This was great because in our readings for this week Garrison states, “Media production engages and excites; it leads to unexpected discoveries, increased self-awareness and esteem, sharpened critical thinking, analytical skills, group work skills, and ability to communicate ideas” (Garrison 1999, para. 1). By viewing my podcast kids of all ages will now be able to create fun and exciting videos. I would recommend all teachers to use this software in their classrooms.

Reference
Garrison, A. (1999), Video basics and production projects for the classroom. Center for Media Literacy. Retrieved November 26, 2011, from http://www.medialit.org/reading_room/article3.html

Tutorial of Muvee Reveal

Personal Digital Story

Reflections: Personal Digital Story

I’m currently enrolled in EDLD 5363 Multimedia Video Technology. All I can say is WOW week 1 is finally over. Week one's assignment was very exciting and fun, but it required a lot of time and work! I was up for the challenge and completed the assignment to the best of my ability. I really enjoyed this assignment because I had the chance to learn new things about myself and my partners. My personal digital story was about how I achieved so much in life from my family’s support and motivation. I believe this course may be one of my favorite courses in graduate school!

         

Week 1:Web Conference

I attended the web conference on November 15, 2011. I was really excited to meet my new professor and learn about the new assignment in week 1, the digital story. Dr. Abernathy was very nice and answered all of our questions to the best of her ability. On the web conference we discussed the importance of partners and how we will need them for the upcoming assignments. She discussed week one's assignment and stated that we must find a partner in our section to work with. She also said that we should document our collaborations using Google documents. She then stated that in weeks 3-5, we would work in groups to create a public service announcement. Towards the end of the conference, she asked if we had any other questions she could answer and she then gave her email address and phone number to everyone. Dr. Abernathy was very helpful and said that if we had any problems with this week’s assignment that we should call or email her immediately.

Final Reflection EDLD 5301

I have learned so much from the readings in this course. When I entered this course I did not have a clue what the term “Action Research” meant. I now know that it is the systematic process of a principal to take action for change based on what he/she has learned from the results of his/her questions (Dana, 2009). It is basically the thinking process in which a principal undergoes to solve a situation or problem (Harris, Edmonson, Combs 2010). I have also learned that when principals conduct action research plans “they are engaged in the process of creating a better school” (Dana, 2009). Meaning that the principal can tell and decide what is best for the improvement of the school. This is very important to a principal and school, because when the research comes from within the school, versus outside sources, everyone will take a sense of pride and push forward for a change.

From these course assignments and activities, I have gained the knowledge and motivation from my peers to begin my own action research such as, “How does utilizing the promethean board enhance learning in a classroom”? I have been researching and have read, “As educators, we must let go of the traditional teaching and adapt to this new world of technology (Young, 2010). I agree with this quote and from my action research results I hope that I can get all teachers on one accord, by implementing technology in their lessons. At first I was a little nervous because I did not know if this action research plan was going to work. My peers, IA, and site mentor began to reassure me that this was a great action research plan. They began to motivate me and I am now excited and ready to put my action research in place. I have started talking to teachers and they are also ready for a change not only at Fairview Elementary, but also in the district.

I have also learned a lot from the lectures that were presented in this class. The one that stood out the most to me was Dr. Timothy Chargois, who stated that all educators must be data driven. He stated that teachers must conduct local action research in their classrooms. I agree with him because we must know what is going on with our students. I also learned that teachers nowadays must have a concept of research so that we can conduct action research projects that could impact students’ success. I also agree with him with this statement because I do not think we should have to wait for someone else to hand us data on our students.

From this course I also learned the importance of reflection. Reflection is an important skill in leadership because it allows people to learn from their experiences, and administrative skills are acquired through combination of theory and practice (Martin, Wright, Danzig, Flanary, &Fred  2005, p.105). I believe that I have grown tremendously from this research course. I was very skeptical about this course at first, but towards the end I begin to love it. I have a new profound interest in action research. I also had a very understanding and caring professor and IA. They always answered my questions to the best of their ability. They always had positive and uplifting things to say and I really appreciated that. I am so glad that I enrolled in this Master’s Program.

Dana, F. N. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin.    

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., and Combs, J. (2010). Examining what we do to improve our schools: 8 steps to improve our schools. Larchmont, New York: Eye on Education Press.

Young, S. B. (2010). Teaching with the tools kids really use. Thousand Oaks,California: Corwin.