This
week's web conference was very confusing. I entered the web conference with the impression that I had a good understanding of what work was required of me and I was confident that I was close to being finished. Many of these requirements and instructions were different from what Dr. Abernathy was explaining to the group. Unfortunately I left the web conference much more confused than I entered it. Thankfully I was able to collaborate with my fellow classmates outside of the web conference. These classmates had contacted the IA's and Dr. Cummings and were able to offer concrete instructions based on the provided rubrics. This has restored my confidence that I have completed all of the work required of this course. I typically feel much better after viewing the weekly web conference. Unfortunately, this conference was an exception.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
EDLD 5363 - Multimedia Video Technology
Week 4 - Web Conference Reflection
This week's web conference helped to clarify all expectations and requirements of the major group video project. While a little confused, I feel confident that my group members and I are on the right track. We have successfully divided the work equally and are all already very close to finishing up. Collaboration has been emphasized in the web conference. My group members and I are using Google Docs and carefully documenting our work by using different color fonts as instructed. A final detail we are taking into consideration is that it is a requirement to include a video segment within our group video. Fortunately one of my group members is taking on this responsibility. I am a little concerned that the instructions and web conferences seem a little inconsistent, but I still feel confident that we are on the right track.
Friday, June 12, 2015
EDLD 5363 - Multimedia Video Technology
Week 2 - Audacity Tutorial Podcast
The week 2 assignment of creating a podcast/audio tutorial of the program “Audacity” was one that proved interesting to me. I listen to podcasts frequently during my trips to and from work, but I have never paid much thought to the actual process of recording a podcast. In addition, as a homeowner and someone of relatively little maintenance experience I am constantly watching how-to’s and tutorial videos on YouTube. These videos have allowed me to do all sorts of things from fix the washing machine to repair my weed eater. Approaching a tutorial video from the other perspective has been a valuable process.
I began by downloading “Audacity,” installing it on my computer, and playing around with it for a little while. My three year old son, Maddox, and I played with it for about an hour or so just exploring its features and being silly. After getting a grasp of the basic functions of the program and playing around with some of the slightly more advanced features I began to write my tutorial script. I tried to imagine writing a step by step tutorial of just the basic features of Audacity for someone with absolutely no experience with a program such as this. When I finished writing the draft of my script I opened the program and followed my own tutorial to see if it would deliver the result I was looking for. After a few small edits I believe that my podcast script was acceptable.
The next step was the process of recording the actual tutorial narrative. After reading through the script out loud to myself I decided to move on with the recording. My first attempt left me a little tongue tied, so I decided to start over. After listening to my second recording I decided that I could slow down and enunciate a few different words. It was not until my fourth attempt that I reached a recording I was happy with. I then exported the file to a different format and saved it for uploading online.
All that was left was to upload the file to YouTube. I added a basic “Audacity” logo for the sake of the YouTube video and included the appropriate Creative Commons copyright symbol. In reflection of this project, I feel that it has given me a better understanding of the podcasts I regularly listen and the YouTube tutorial videos I on which I rely on a somewhat regular basis. I feel equipped to prepare a similar tutorial video regarding software or teaching strategies for fellow teachers. I also look forward to receiving feedback so that I may be completely equipped for such a project in the future.
Monday, June 8, 2015
EDLD 5363 - Multimedia Video Technology
Week 1 - Personal Digital Story:
The creation of my own personal digital story transitioned quickly from being just another assignment for my graduate program to an introspective reflection of my own life. Beginning with the creation of a script, I chose to tell the story of the most prominent aspect of my life which is my role as a single father to my three year old son. As my script progressed I found myself thinking critically about life events. This process not only produced a script, but forced me to reflect and grow through my own feelings. With certain pictures in mind, I created a script that accurately and concisely describes my new found role as professional and father and explains what these roles mean to me.
Taking this script and turning it into a digital story was the next step. The inclusion of pictures, videos, and music not only makes my digital story entertaining, but it really helps convey the emotion and meaning behind the words. I feel that the pictures and background music become the focus of the digital story and really help give life to otherwise solitary words. It took time to discover the best combination of music, narration, and digital images. After several hours of tinkering with minor details I was satisfied with the balance achieved in the final product. Watching the final product not only creates strong emotions for me, but I feel that it is successful in communicating these emotions to the viewer. Many viewers will relate to my digital story and I believe it will invoke similar feelings to them.
My digital story is the product of hours of personal reflection and creation. I have grown personally through this process and I am left with a product that I am proud of. I believe that this digital story successfully shares my feelings and sparks similar emotions and personal reflection in the viewers.
