EDLD5363+Multimedia+&+Video+Technology+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?   My initial expectations for the course were to learn how multimedia and video could be integrated into classroom curriculum and used as an additional learning tool for students. As I read through the articles and completed the assignments, I had to shift my thinking from how could the students benefit to how could I as an educational leader help teachers welcome the idea of incorporating multimedia and video into curriculum and help students make connections. Multimedia and video is an additional tool that our students, the digital natives in our classrooms embrace. As students enter the school building, some with rich experiences, others lacking the personal experiences that help students make connections to their learning, multimedia and video provides an avenue to help students enrich their learning and make those connections that are vital to their educational experiences.   The course readings and activities helped to solidify in my mind how multimedia and video can enhance learning for students. Media, be that of podcasts where students tell about their learning to the area of video where they get an opportunity to show what they have learned is a platform rich with possibilities and a way in which to target the multiple intelligences and learning styles of the students in the classroom. I feel a bit more confident to assist teachers as they explore the world of multimedia and video as an educational tool in their classrooms.  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?  My position with the district is Title I Middle School Technology Specialist. One of my responsibilities is to assist teachers as they explore ways in which to incorporate and integrate technology into their classrooms and curricula. Gaining a better understanding of media and how it can be used as a learning tool in the classroom is an area in which I had little experience. The information gained while working through the assignments and participating in the discussions helped provide ideas that I can share with the teachers I am responsible for helping. Multimedia and video is one more tool that helps to address the needs of the 21st Century learners in the classrooms. Media and video are a part of their lives, take advantage of the knowledge they already have, allow them to use that knowledge in a constructive way what will enrich the learning for those in the classroom and for themselves as well. As the campus Technology Specialist, my focus is on what is going to best enhance the learning of the students in my building. Multimedia and video is one more educational tool to be introduced to the teachers in my building and help them embrace the power this technology has.  3. What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?  Throughout this course, we were given various opportunities to work on the different aspects of creating various forms of media, a digital story, podcast and public service announcement. While I was able to successfully complete all assignments, I would not call myself qualified to edit film or even to teach someone else how to do that. I believe becoming proficient at editing film, creating narration and producing a piece that I would consider worthy of sharing will require more work on my part. While the mechanics of creating a video would require more practice on my part, the creating portion of video creation is a struggle for me. One tool that I did find useful in the creation of the group project was the use of storyboarding. Storyboarding helped to provide the focus I needed in the creative portion of the assignment. Achieving a level of comfort as a video creator and editor will require practice on my part.  4. Were you successful in completing the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you?  I found the course assignments to be challenging but not to the point that I would not be able to compete them successfully. The readings were relevant to what we were studying and even though technical in nature, provided information necessary to the completion of the projects. This course had three projects, a personal digital story, podcast and a group project of producing a public service announcement. In addition to the readings, there were multiple opportunities to participate in web conferences that focused on specific assignments. These conferences provided the missing pieces to the assignments and helped clear up the misunderstandings I had on how to complete the various assignments. The final course assignment was to work with a group and produce a one minute public service announcement. I have worked with this group of colleagues on previous projects which reduced the task of determining each other’s strengths. Since we had prior experience working together the process of dividing the tasks was a simple process allowing the flow of work to be distributed and completed according to the schedule provided in the course.  5. What did you learn from this course: about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes? I tend to think of myself as not being an overly creative person. But throughout this course, I was had an opportunity to interact with my group and with their support and collaboration, realized that I do have a creative streak, I have to find and utilize tools that allow me to tap the creative thoughts and ideas I have. The introduction of the storyboard as one of those tools proved to be an invaluable tool as it helped me to harness and focus my creativity.

The use of video technology stretched my creativity and technology based skills. I enjoyed creating the digital photo story but had a difficult time learning to edit video. I’m certain that with practice, my skills in this area will improve. Through working through this course, I realized that video is not an area that I am overly fond of, but understand that it is a piece of technology that needs to be incorporated into the classroom. The assignments in this course provided just a glimpse of what could be done with multimedia and video in the classroom and how it can have a positive impact on student learning as well as for the teacher. As a technology leader for my district, I have to set aside my likes and dislikes of a particular product or platform and focus on what is going to be best for the teachers and students and focus my energies in that direction. After all, it isn’t about me, it is about the success of teachers under my direction and the success in providing students with the learning and tools necessary to prepare them for college and a successful career outside the confines of an school or college environment.