Multimedia+and+Video+-+Course+Reflections

1. What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned? I envisioned learning how to make semi-professional looking videos, and how that would enhance teaching in my school. The course reading definitely taught me a lot about creating videos, and how to improve my shots. I feel that I have a little better understanding of how to use multimedia in a classroom, mostly gained from discussion with my peers, but I feel I could better grasp how to use it effectively for student learning. For the most part, this course aligned with my expectations. I received quite a bit of practice with taking still and video shots. I was able to put together a video, with a group of my peers. That assignment was something I had envisioned learning in this class. The course would have been better aligned with my expectations if it had included reading from effective teachers who have used multimedia in their classroom. I would have enjoyed seeing how it benefited the students, along with the mechanics of having the students develop videos.  2. To the extent that you achieved the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not? I feel the greatest outcome of this class was learning how to put together videos, including adding narration and music. This is very relevant to my work. I have been promoted to technology specialist at my school, and part of my new responsibilities will be doing morning announcements, which are done via video. In the past, the announcements were very basic; the video camera was pointed toward a PowerPoint on the computer monitor with the tech specialist speaking and music playing in the background. I feel that as a result of this class I will be able to add more dynamic morning announcements that will grab students’ attention. Another aspect of my new position will be to help other teachers integrate technology into their classrooms and teaching. I feel poorly equipped in teaching them to use multimedia to enhance student learning. I have gained a great understanding of how to create multimedia, but not how it will improve student learning. I feel that this is a result of the length of the class, but hopefully with continued collaboration with my fellow classmates, we can share our achievements in the classroom using multimedia.  3. What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them? I had hoped to leave this class with many ideas of how teachers in my school could use video and multimedia in their classroom. This outcome was not achieved by the end of the course as I had hoped it would be. I believe there are two reasons that did not occur. The first, being the length of the course. There is so much to learn about video and multimedia and to fit it into a 5 week class is an impossible task. I firmly believe that I learned as much as could be reasonably gained in such a time period. The second, being the fact the course took place in the summer. This aspect of learning would probably best be in the form of discussion with my peers, and considering that none of us were able to incorporate multimedia into our classroom at the same time we were learning about it decreased the amount we could share our classroom experiences with it. There are several students from the class that I chat with outside of the discussion board and feel that later we could share how we used it in our classrooms.  4. Were you successful in completing the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you? I feel that I was successful in completing the course assignments. I was very excited about this class and could not wait to begin. The readings were very interesting and I feel they were quite helpful in learning about different programs, and contained great tips on taking better video shots. The assignments were exciting, because right from the start I was able to use what I was learning about in the reading. I loved how the class was project based, since I believe that is the only way to show that you understand the concepts presented in the class. I was wary about doing group work however. I like to get an early start on my reading and assignments and was concerned about the work ethics of those that may be in my group. I was excited to learn that we were allowed to choose our own partners. I did not know anyone in my section, but had a friend in another section. We both found one person from our section and everyone worked so hard, and went above and beyond my expectations. <span style="font-weight: normal; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> <span style="font-weight: normal; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: Arial; msobidifontfamily: Arial; msobidifontsize: 11.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">5. <span style="font-weight: normal; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What did you learn from this course: about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes? <span style="font-weight: normal; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">During this course I learned a lot about myself. I will start with what I was most concerned with, group work. I did not want to do it, I thought I would have to take charge and make sure that everything was done correctly and on time. Fortunately, I had a wonderful group, and was surprised about how laid back I could be. Everyone did what they needed to do ahead of time and I was surprised how I was able to sit back and let someone else be the leader, that I did not have to be in charge. And now to the course goal: creating multimedia videos. I thought that would be a lot more difficult than it was. I was excited about this class, but at the same time I was quite nervous too. I had absolutely no experience with developing videos and thought that I may not be very good at it. I still have a lot to learn, but the programs were very easy to use. I was not sure that I would feel comfortable using what I learned outside of class, but I feel confident in what I have gained from the class and a desire to keep developing my skills.