Idot Louis M.Ed. Education Technology Candidate, University of South Carolina B.A. in Elementary Education, University of South Carolina Teacher at Richland County School District One
The graphic activities allowed me to take various images and use multiple programs to alter the images. The graphics assignments helped me learn how to become more creative towards the presentation and design of images. In editing these images, I used the programs Photoshop Elements Editor 13, Phixr, and Picture2Life.
The video activities allowed me to use Jing to narrate video instructions, iMovie to create a visual narration, and YouTube to edit captions into uploaded videos.
This assignment focuses on web design in which an actual website of my interest was created. The challenge of this project came in using the program Dreamweaver to create multiple webpages and then load them to the internet using an HTML web domain.
The Final Multimedia Project is a combination of graphic, audio, video, and web activities used as an instructional module.
My Reflection: My excitement in beginning EDET 603 was something I can’t explain. I knew the course would come with challenges that I knew would make me stronger and more aware of what todays technology has to offer. That feeling of excitement hasn’t changed in which I know that I have more to learn. With gaining new knowledge through this course, I feel better equipped in providing these resources to those who need them. There were times throughout the course where I felt completely overwhelmed. This did not stop me from giving my all and allowing myself to take in what the course had to offer.
Graphics Activities: Within working with graphics and images, I discovered that there are many ways to edit an image based on what you’re looking for. I found challenges within the graphics assignments where I struggled in having images exactly how I wanted them. In GA2, is where I felt my first sense of discomfort when I had to place a quote with a graphic image. I had no history of using image editing programs but overcame this by studying the recommended programs needed to complete the assignment. In the graphics activities, I discovered that more than one program can be used to create the ideal image you are looking for. Something that I would do if this assignment presented itself again is not use the same program to complete the assignment, but use a different one. Doing this will show growth in learning of new graphics programs. Just like with coursework I’ve had in the past, I was grateful to have GA3 compare my work by the resources used.
Audio Activities: In completing the audio assignments, I had to overcome the fear of listening to my own voice. Another challenge in which was tricky in overcoming was multiple attempts in creating the best sound for my audio. I did find that I was very successful in learning how to mix music and oral sounds using Audacity. I didn’t have previous experience in blending sounds, and with time, this became easier with the more time I spent listening to my work. Something I would try for next time is to use a better microphone for clearer sound. When my audio assignments were created was when I felt a sense of satisfaction because of how I felt about the quality of my work.
Video Activities: The video activities required me to use programs in which I never had experience with, except for YouTube. I found that creating videos took more planning and preparation. Like courses I’ve had in the past, the video projects came with time to ensure that it was done to satisfaction. When using iMovie to create a narration, I found it tricky to combine music, picture images, and text. This is where I started loosing patience. I also had the challenge of timing my text to my videos at the appropriate time in which the video was displayed.
Web Activities: I must admit that the web activities were where I had the greatest sense of fear during this course. I came to a place where I was unsure where to begin and what resources were the best in assisting me. I must admit that I never felt this feeling with assignments that I’ve had in the past and I learned that persistence is the key in completing assignments. I know that for a big assignment like this, I won’t hesitate to reach out for support from my colleagues in the future. I soon discovered that they some feelings that I had about assignments were similar to the feelings they had. In the future, with web activities, I would hope to take what I’ve learned up to the next level in putting more detail and videos within my web pages. I did find a great deal of satisfaction and relief when the assignment was complete and how well it turned out in the end.
Web 2.0 Toolshed: I was happy with how beneficial the toolshed assignment would be towards me and my colleagues. In entering the EDET 603 course, one of my interests was having access to multiple programs and using them for multiple uses and objectives. This assignment became a challenge in which I wanted to choose so many sites that were useful in instructional design. One thing I would do if presented with this assignment in the future is to take more time to thoroughly dissect the resources and list more of what each site had to offer.
Interactive Lesson: The interactive lesson opened up a new door for me in which it provided me with a means to assess a topic. This assignment provided me with insight in creating a means for me to have the user of a presentation learn from the presentation. Lessons such as these is good for self learning and self development, essential for testing yourself. I gained from this the need to give the user multiple chances in learning instead of assessing how well they learned an assignment. In the end, this was an effective means of feedback.
Final Multimedia Project: The final multimedia project was a learning experience in assembling. My project was titled, “Beware! The Digital Classroom.” It took a lot of combining and experimenting with a different way to present the concept of how technology is beneficial towards education. I was grateful for the steps it took prior to completing this project in developing an outline, a flowchart, and a storyboard. This made finishing this assignment much easier. If presented with the chance to complete this assignment again, I would definitely use a different tool to present my learning module. An obstacle that occurred when uploading my assignment was when in it became difficult to upload the project because of the file size. I found myself in a learning moment of using a different resource, learned through the course, as an alternative to present my learning module. I am happy with the completed project and I want to develop it as a resource for my colleagues in presenting technology in the education curriculum.
Final Thoughts: My time invested into this course was one of great value towards me. In a sense, I don’t think I really understood everything that technology had to offer our society and now I have been exposed to more than I realized was available. In overcoming the challenges presented to me, I found a new approach to learning. I was forced to a place of becoming uncomfortable and I soon learned that this is a feeling I needed to be used to when learning something new. With my work in EDET 603, I was able to work out my fears and reservations towards experiences that I didn’t realize existed. This is just the beginning step of the expertise in technology that will be provided to me throughout my journey in the Education Technology program.
M.Ed. Education Technology Candidate, University of South Carolina
B.A. in Elementary Education, University of South Carolina
Teacher at Richland County School District One
My excitement in beginning EDET 603 was something I can’t explain. I knew the course would come with challenges that I knew would make me stronger and more aware of what todays technology has to offer. That feeling of excitement hasn’t changed in which I know that I have more to learn. With gaining new knowledge through this course, I feel better equipped in providing these resources to those who need them. There were times throughout the course where I felt completely overwhelmed. This did not stop me from giving my all and allowing myself to take in what the course had to offer.
Graphics Activities:
Within working with graphics and images, I discovered that there are many ways to edit an image based on what you’re looking for. I found challenges within the graphics assignments where I struggled in having images exactly how I wanted them. In GA2, is where I felt my first sense of discomfort when I had to place a quote with a graphic image. I had no history of using image editing programs but overcame this by studying the recommended programs needed to complete the assignment. In the graphics activities, I discovered that more than one program can be used to create the ideal image you are looking for. Something that I would do if this assignment presented itself again is not use the same program to complete the assignment, but use a different one. Doing this will show growth in learning of new graphics programs. Just like with coursework I’ve had in the past, I was grateful to have GA3 compare my work by the resources used.
Audio Activities:
In completing the audio assignments, I had to overcome the fear of listening to my own voice. Another challenge in which was tricky in overcoming was multiple attempts in creating the best sound for my audio. I did find that I was very successful in learning how to mix music and oral sounds using Audacity. I didn’t have previous experience in blending sounds, and with time, this became easier with the more time I spent listening to my work. Something I would try for next time is to use a better microphone for clearer sound. When my audio assignments were created was when I felt a sense of satisfaction because of how I felt about the quality of my work.
Video Activities:
The video activities required me to use programs in which I never had experience with, except for YouTube. I found that creating videos took more planning and preparation. Like courses I’ve had in the past, the video projects came with time to ensure that it was done to satisfaction. When using iMovie to create a narration, I found it tricky to combine music, picture images, and text. This is where I started loosing patience. I also had the challenge of timing my text to my videos at the appropriate time in which the video was displayed.
Web Activities:
I must admit that the web activities were where I had the greatest sense of fear during this course. I came to a place where I was unsure where to begin and what resources were the best in assisting me. I must admit that I never felt this feeling with assignments that I’ve had in the past and I learned that persistence is the key in completing assignments. I know that for a big assignment like this, I won’t hesitate to reach out for support from my colleagues in the future. I soon discovered that they some feelings that I had about assignments were similar to the feelings they had. In the future, with web activities, I would hope to take what I’ve learned up to the next level in putting more detail and videos within my web pages. I did find a great deal of satisfaction and relief when the assignment was complete and how well it turned out in the end.
Web 2.0 Toolshed:
I was happy with how beneficial the toolshed assignment would be towards me and my colleagues. In entering the EDET 603 course, one of my interests was having access to multiple programs and using them for multiple uses and objectives. This assignment became a challenge in which I wanted to choose so many sites that were useful in instructional design. One thing I would do if presented with this assignment in the future is to take more time to thoroughly dissect the resources and list more of what each site had to offer.
Interactive Lesson:
The interactive lesson opened up a new door for me in which it provided me with a means to assess a topic. This assignment provided me with insight in creating a means for me to have the user of a presentation learn from the presentation. Lessons such as these is good for self learning and self development, essential for testing yourself. I gained from this the need to give the user multiple chances in learning instead of assessing how well they learned an assignment. In the end, this was an effective means of feedback.
Final Multimedia Project:
The final multimedia project was a learning experience in assembling. My project was titled, “Beware! The Digital Classroom.” It took a lot of combining and experimenting with a different way to present the concept of how technology is beneficial towards education. I was grateful for the steps it took prior to completing this project in developing an outline, a flowchart, and a storyboard. This made finishing this assignment much easier. If presented with the chance to complete this assignment again, I would definitely use a different tool to present my learning module. An obstacle that occurred when uploading my assignment was when in it became difficult to upload the project because of the file size. I found myself in a learning moment of using a different resource, learned through the course, as an alternative to present my learning module. I am happy with the completed project and I want to develop it as a resource for my colleagues in presenting technology in the education curriculum.
Final Thoughts:
My time invested into this course was one of great value towards me. In a sense, I don’t think I really understood everything that technology had to offer our society and now I have been exposed to more than I realized was available. In overcoming the challenges presented to me, I found a new approach to learning. I was forced to a place of becoming uncomfortable and I soon learned that this is a feeling I needed to be used to when learning something new. With my work in EDET 603, I was able to work out my fears and reservations towards experiences that I didn’t realize existed. This is just the beginning step of the expertise in technology that will be provided to me throughout my journey in the Education Technology program.