EDLD 5363 Week Three Reflection

This week I was able to attend a couple of web conferences with Dr. Abernathy.  They were excellent in clarifying the assignment and helping students with questions regarding to software requirements.  Our group started out of the gate immediately, thanks to Lauren.  She took the lead and established the dialogue, we choose assignments.  Even though the four of us have not met face to face, we feel very comfortable working together.  During the beginning of this course, Lauren and I became partners and then added Allison and Laura for our PSA project.  When Lauren presented the topic of Cyberbullying, I was in total agreement because I was just reading an article about cyberbullying and contemplated this idea for our group.  This project will take place over the next three weeks and I liked this week’s assignment.  It is the pre-production process.  It reminds me of teaching writing when I would tell my students that the preplanning stage is the most important stage in writing.  Spend time here and the rest is a piece of cake.  You fine tune the product.  I feel that the work that has been done this week in the preproduction assignment will be the same.  Dr. Abernathy is so reachable and has made it known that we are to contact her and not struggle through this class.  That is very comforting.  I am also thankful for my group and their willingness to collaborate together.  I can’t wait to see the final project!  This coming week, I will begin to tape the audio so that it will be ready for the video. 

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.