Multimedia+Reflection

Multimedia EDLD 5363 Reflection

 I was very excited to be taking a Multimedia class this summer. I enjoy taking pictures and video and using them in creative ways. This class gave me the opportunity to try different video editing software along with learning new ways of using the software I already have. I also had the opportunity to chat with the professor of our class and learn how the Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro works. I am not a person that seeks the spotlight, so creating a personal PhotoStory was difficult for me. The assignment allowed me to realize what my students go through when working on writing, revising and editing. For our final project, I was skeptical at first about working with a group over the internet, but we were able to chat and keep in touch by email very easily. We used Google docs to help finalize and share our assignments. I was very pleased with both of my projects and posted them on my Facebook page.

 Our computer lab time will be set up differently next year and teachers will stay with their classes during computer time. I hope by having a set computer time each week and the teachers coming with their classes we will be able to work together to help students develop technology skills. I hope to train the teachers on PhotoStory and Movie Maker at the beginning of the year to help them incorporate multimedia in their classes. I plan to use my personal PhotoStory and PSA video to demonstrate these programs. Our school purchased four new Flip video cameras for students to use for next year. I tried a video project last year and was just as excited about filming as the students, I found when it came time to edit, I really needed a storyboard to arrange video clips. I now have a better understanding of the process of developing a student video project and can’t wait to get started with student projects for next year.

Our group decided the PSA would be about texting and driving. I had a camera and a teenage daughter, so I volunteered to film some of the shots. We felt a shot of texting and driving would be very powerful but short of actually doing it, we had to come up with a way to make it work. I remembered a green screen came with the Pinnacle program I use at school. I had never used it before and decided to try it. We filmed inside the car and on the road. I even tried a pretending to turn while driving and texting and then filmed a turn while driving. In the program you combine the two clips like an overlay. It worked well. I had to adjust the chroma tab to keep the driver from being too transparent and it worked. I combined it with a crash transition and the sound of breaking glass. I was very pleased with the final outcome and now I feel confident I could use the green screen again for future projects.

 I was having trouble with my satellite internet and was in the process of changing over to an air card during this course. I learned a lot about internet connections but didn’t always feel confident in my equipment and skills to participate in chats. When my internet started working better, I was able to participate in chats with my group and professor. I had not done much chatting before and learned new skills. I found working in a group is highly productive because you can think of something and someone else can make it better. Group projects are much better than if you had to do it on your own. I love PhotoStory and tried to share it with my friends and teachers. I learned that, unless you have a reason to create a project, most people do not take the time to learn the program. I would not have made a personal PhotoStory unless we had this assignment so now I can share it with my students.

 This course has taught me how much time is involved in video production. The planning, shot list, editing, and publication all took more time than I anticipated. I now am more aware of the transitions, shot position and music for commercials and movies. I feel I can help teachers incorporate multimedia projects into their curriculum and help students produce amazing projects. Students today need to understand the ethical use of technology along with learning the skills that will help them be successful in the future. I believe this course has made me a better teacher with the confidence to try new things.