Sunday, November 27, 2011

EDLD 5363 Week Two Assignment

This week has been the most stressful week in a long time.  To begin with, we had a video editing project that seemed a little intimidating to begin with.  The day we started the project, I twisted my left knee and could not straighten my left leg.  After several days of pain, an xray, and MRI we are waiting for the results to confirm a torn meniscus.  Then family from both sides arrived for 5 days of Thanksgiving Festivities and the last A&M and Texas football game on Thanksgiving.  (Of which I had to stay behind) 
I explored several different video editing software programs and decided to use Adobe Premiere Elements for my project.  Once I created a video to edit, I began learning the software. 
Next, I downloaded Jing to use as an extension.  This extension allowed me to video my screeen and tape my audio at the same time.  After several days of frustration, I finally created my podcast. Because I downloaded the free version of Jing, I could not get it to post on any free web hosting sites.  I explored the conversion process and after converting it from a SWF file to a MP4 file, the video was not what I wanted.  So, back to the production.  I then purchased the Jing software to be able to create it in MP4 file as soon as it is made.  After this, it was easy to download it to several differnet sites.  I loaded it to You Tube, Teacher Tube, and Podomatic for this assignment. 
I learned a lot this week in the area of patience with learning a new program and having a house full of guest and  a bummed knee. 
Life is good!  I am  now finished and ready to enjoy my Sunday evening.

EDLD 5363 Week Two Web Conference

WEB CONFERENCE BLOG

I participated in a web conference on Tuesday, November 14, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. Members of the conference discussed their questions with Dr. Abernathy concerning the details of the assignment for Week1 and 2 in the Multimedia and Video Technology course. We were also told we would need to form groups for a
PSA project in weeks 3 to 5.  Dr. Abernathy encouraged us to identify our groups soon.  Immediately, groups began to form for the PSA project. Most of the time the web conferences have not been extremely beneficial because students are nearing the graduation and control the conversation with questions in regard to certification, etc…  Tonight’s web conference was different.  All the conversation centered around questions about the week’s assignment and the responsibilities of having a partner.  We also discussed the group work and requirements.  I always read the manuscript after the conference and find information that I missed due to having side conversations with some of the students.  My only regrets for this conference were that I was traveling and had not read the week’s assignments or the course overview.  There were times I began to panic, but Dr. Abernathy reassured each of us we would be able to complete the assignments.  I am looking forward to working with my partners during this course. 

Sunday, November 20, 2011

EDLD 5363

Week One Reflections:
At the beginning of this week, I felt a little overwhelmed.  I could not get the Story Telling Cookbook to download, I was in a hotel with terrible internet connection, I could not understand have the web conference, and I was scared to death about making a digital story. 
Once at home, I was able to download the cookbook, thanks to Creighton Gann, and I was off to read about this digital story I was to produce. 
My partner and I SKYPED on Tuesday night to discuss each other's story.  We used Google Docs and send each other our transcript.  Using different colors, we were able to comment and make suggestions.  This was the first time for both of us to use Google Docs in this way.  I am looking forword to using it in future collaborative projects. 
I decided to tell my adventure story about teaching in Uganda.  This is a passion my husband and I both share.  Together we travel with a group to Uganda each summer to teach students and model for teachers best practices.  I am not sure who receives the greatest blessing, us or them.
I am glad this week has come to an end and looking forward to what next week's assignments will bring.  Until then...