Pre-production of the Public Service Announcement (PSA) required that the team, Matthew Kitchens, Danielle Norris, Phelecia Zilch, and myself collaborate on the topic for the PSA. Through the use of GoogleDocs, the team discussed various topics ranging from childhood obesity to the common topic of students with untucked shirts. All members of the team experience this problem on each of their respective campuses. Tasks were identified and each member of the team was given a choice of the task they preferred. Tasks were divided as: Matthew Kitchens – screen writer and narrator; Phelecia Zilch – shot list, production proposal, and securing copyright for the PSA, Danielle Norris – film editor and posting of PSA on YouTube; and Kathy Miller – creation of storyboard and filming. Throughout the production process, the team continued to collaborate through GoogleDoc and email. Through the collaborative and cooperation of the team, the PSA was completed in a timely and professional manner.
How could the PSA be improved? The editor, Danielle, did an excellent job of adhering to the guidelines that the PSA be one minute or less. I feel that if we would have been able to add between 15 to 30 seconds to the PSA, we may have been able to include the rationale behind choosing of the topic of untucked shirts.
Copyright for the PSA was secured through CreativeCommons.com. The attributes for the video were designated as: free to copy, distribute, and transmit the work while providing attribution of the work. The work is not for commercial use and it may not be altered in any manner.
Working with Matthew, Danielle, and Phelecia has been, once again, been a positive experience. Since the team is composed of four over achievers, getting the tasks divided and completed was an effortless process.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
EDLD5363 Web Conferencing Reflections
Throughout the Educational Technology Leadership program, I have had an opportunity to participate in a number of web conferences. The use of this Web 2.0 tool has proved to be a tool that should be incorporated not only in a platform such as online learning, but into the classroom as well. The use of video conferencing allows individuals from various locations to access real time information. The fact that multiple individuals can participate in a web conference lends itself to real time, 24/7 access of information. My experience has been that web conferences have eliminated the need for multiple emails, and the possibility of missing valuable information. The web conferencing platform allows individuals to confirm information received, ask questions and provide information to participants in the conference. I have enjoyed being a participant in the various web conferences made available to students participating in this program. I can’t imagine trying to gather, analyze, and synthesize the information without the use of video conferencing. I look forward to utilizing this Web 2.0 tool not only throughout the completion of this program, but with the teachers, administrators and staff on my campus.
EDLD5363 - Comparison of Video Editing Software
This week’s assignment was to compare two open source video editing software programs. After searching through the web and reading reviews and blogs on a number of programs, I chose Microsoft’s Movie Maker and VideoSpirit Pro.
Window’s Movie Maker came installed on my computer. I found Movie Maker to be very easy to use. Throughout the district, campuses have access to Flip Cameras which are used by teachers and students to create videos for use in a variety of ways, to video announcements and assign projects for students. The features I found to be most beneficial are the drag and drop features. The ease in which one can record a video, import it and add creative features such as transitions and text makes Movie Maker a product that is easy to use and can be used by students who have little or no experience in editing video. According to Desktop-Video-Guide.com, Microsoft Movie Maker is one of the best free video editing software programs available (http://www.desktop-video-guide.com/top-5-free-video-editing-sfotware-review.html).
Editing video utilizing Movie Maker was as easy as 1, 2, 3. The menu located on the right hand side of the screen directed the steps that must be taken to editing video from importing, editing, and finishing the editing process. Each video that is imported is segmented into smaller, more manageable clips and placed into collections. This allows for ease in editing effects and transitions. Movie Maker’s features also allow for the import of pictures, additional video, and the creation of title slides and credits, making the final product a professional piece, one that you would be proud to share.
As a beginner editor of video, I found Microsoft Movie Maker to be user friendly, easy to use and a product that can be utilized in a classroom with little or no introduction. Students will enjoy the multiple features such as adding effects, slide transitions, and audio editing that is offered with Movie Maker.
The second piece of software that I reviewed was VideoSpirit Pro. Once the program was downloaded, it required me to download K-Lite Codec Pack, Real Alternative, and QuickTime Player. Importing video into VideoSpirit was confusing. If the video was not in .visprj format, it had to be converted. VideoSpirit has a built in converter which is a nice feature of the program. The help files are written with step-by-step directions as well as with screen shots. The program has the capacity to convert a multitude of video types, depending on the platform you are going upload the video to.
The editing features were a bit confusing. As with MovieMaker’s 1, 2, 3 set of instructions made visible on the left-hand side of the screen, I found VideoSpirit’s editing process to be a bit tedious. While is provides some of the same features as Movie Maker; transitions, slide effects, editing of audio, these features were not as easy to use as Movie Maker.
As a beginner in the world of editing video, VideoSpirit is a program worth utilizing, but would require more instruction with students than required of Movie Maker. While both programs have features that make them appealing to the general public, my choice is with Movie Maker.
Desktop-Video-Guide. (n.d.). Top 5 free video editing software programs. Retrieevd on August 23, 2010, from http://www.desktop-video-guide-com/top-5-free-video-editing-software-review-html
Window’s Movie Maker came installed on my computer. I found Movie Maker to be very easy to use. Throughout the district, campuses have access to Flip Cameras which are used by teachers and students to create videos for use in a variety of ways, to video announcements and assign projects for students. The features I found to be most beneficial are the drag and drop features. The ease in which one can record a video, import it and add creative features such as transitions and text makes Movie Maker a product that is easy to use and can be used by students who have little or no experience in editing video. According to Desktop-Video-Guide.com, Microsoft Movie Maker is one of the best free video editing software programs available (http://www.desktop-video-guide.com/top-5-free-video-editing-sfotware-review.html).
Editing video utilizing Movie Maker was as easy as 1, 2, 3. The menu located on the right hand side of the screen directed the steps that must be taken to editing video from importing, editing, and finishing the editing process. Each video that is imported is segmented into smaller, more manageable clips and placed into collections. This allows for ease in editing effects and transitions. Movie Maker’s features also allow for the import of pictures, additional video, and the creation of title slides and credits, making the final product a professional piece, one that you would be proud to share.
As a beginner editor of video, I found Microsoft Movie Maker to be user friendly, easy to use and a product that can be utilized in a classroom with little or no introduction. Students will enjoy the multiple features such as adding effects, slide transitions, and audio editing that is offered with Movie Maker.
The second piece of software that I reviewed was VideoSpirit Pro. Once the program was downloaded, it required me to download K-Lite Codec Pack, Real Alternative, and QuickTime Player. Importing video into VideoSpirit was confusing. If the video was not in .visprj format, it had to be converted. VideoSpirit has a built in converter which is a nice feature of the program. The help files are written with step-by-step directions as well as with screen shots. The program has the capacity to convert a multitude of video types, depending on the platform you are going upload the video to.
The editing features were a bit confusing. As with MovieMaker’s 1, 2, 3 set of instructions made visible on the left-hand side of the screen, I found VideoSpirit’s editing process to be a bit tedious. While is provides some of the same features as Movie Maker; transitions, slide effects, editing of audio, these features were not as easy to use as Movie Maker.
As a beginner in the world of editing video, VideoSpirit is a program worth utilizing, but would require more instruction with students than required of Movie Maker. While both programs have features that make them appealing to the general public, my choice is with Movie Maker.
Desktop-Video-Guide. (n.d.). Top 5 free video editing software programs. Retrieevd on August 23, 2010, from http://www.desktop-video-guide-com/top-5-free-video-editing-software-review-html
Sunday, August 29, 2010
EDLD5363 - Week One Reflections - Digital Story
Week 1 Reflection
This week’s assignment was initially a bit intimidating, to create a personal digital story. As I read the week’s readings, my fears diminished somewhat as I looked through the multitude of digital photos I have taken over the past few years, pictures of family events, scenery, work related activities, and some pictures that I categorized as “just pictures.” Using PhotoStory3 also helped in reducing the fear factor of making a video. I have used PhotoStory3 several times to make videos of vacations to share with my family, and as I thought about the assignment, I knew what I was going to do, make a video of my daughter’s graduation from boot camp. I felt a bit like Rick and the Recipes for Disaster as described by Joe Lambert (p. 31), more photos than I really knew what to do with. The use of the storyboard and the built in features of PhotoStory3 helped to focus the direction I was going to take with my video. I enjoyed this project, and can see how this type of project could be incorporated into the classroom. What better way for students to demonstrate what they have learned than by putting it on film, even digital film.
Lambert, J. (2007, February). Digital storytelling cookbook, 1-30. Story Center. Retrieved April 4, 2009, from http://www.storycenter.org/cookbook.pdf.
This week’s assignment was initially a bit intimidating, to create a personal digital story. As I read the week’s readings, my fears diminished somewhat as I looked through the multitude of digital photos I have taken over the past few years, pictures of family events, scenery, work related activities, and some pictures that I categorized as “just pictures.” Using PhotoStory3 also helped in reducing the fear factor of making a video. I have used PhotoStory3 several times to make videos of vacations to share with my family, and as I thought about the assignment, I knew what I was going to do, make a video of my daughter’s graduation from boot camp. I felt a bit like Rick and the Recipes for Disaster as described by Joe Lambert (p. 31), more photos than I really knew what to do with. The use of the storyboard and the built in features of PhotoStory3 helped to focus the direction I was going to take with my video. I enjoyed this project, and can see how this type of project could be incorporated into the classroom. What better way for students to demonstrate what they have learned than by putting it on film, even digital film.
Lambert, J. (2007, February). Digital storytelling cookbook, 1-30. Story Center. Retrieved April 4, 2009, from http://www.storycenter.org/cookbook.pdf.
EDLD5363 - Digital Story Storyboard
The storyboard was created utilizing PowerPoint and converted to WMV for uploading.
EDLD5363 - Personal Digital Story Script
Today is the day, the day that I get to see my daughter, my soldier. She’s been gone four months. After a 15 hour drive to Columbia, South Carolina, we make it through the long line of cars and have our IDs checked. Following the procession of cars, we arrived at Hilton Field. You could feel the excitement in the crisp autumn air.
Making our way to our seats, we waited, and waited. The stands were filling, there was a buzz in the air. Finally, an announcement, the crowd gets quiet. Words from the American Red Cross, the base Commander, and finally the Company Commander. I was getting anxious. Across the field you could see the Fort’s motto on a billboard, and then a loud explosion. Then the colored smoke…out of the smoke they came! Over 1,000 soldiers storming Hilton Field through the smoke. Through tear filled eyes, I watched awestruck as Company A – B – C – D – E – and F ran toward us. Each company in its formation, the commander then says the Pledge, and the next words I hear are “Families, find your soldier!”
What a moment to see both daughters together again.
A dinner at base headquarters is followed by an afternoon of site seeing. All too soon it is time to take my soldier back to her company commander and Echo Company, home of the Eagles.
Time to relax, and even some sisterly competition. And all too soon it is time to say goodbye.
Making our way to our seats, we waited, and waited. The stands were filling, there was a buzz in the air. Finally, an announcement, the crowd gets quiet. Words from the American Red Cross, the base Commander, and finally the Company Commander. I was getting anxious. Across the field you could see the Fort’s motto on a billboard, and then a loud explosion. Then the colored smoke…out of the smoke they came! Over 1,000 soldiers storming Hilton Field through the smoke. Through tear filled eyes, I watched awestruck as Company A – B – C – D – E – and F ran toward us. Each company in its formation, the commander then says the Pledge, and the next words I hear are “Families, find your soldier!”
What a moment to see both daughters together again.
A dinner at base headquarters is followed by an afternoon of site seeing. All too soon it is time to take my soldier back to her company commander and Echo Company, home of the Eagles.
Time to relax, and even some sisterly competition. And all too soon it is time to say goodbye.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)