EDLD+5363+Final+Assessment+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 expected EDLD 5363 (Multimedia and Video Technology) to be an exciting, innovative, and technical course and I was not disappointed! It has made me look at videos, advertising, and movies in a whole different way. I was afraid that the readings would be too technical but they were at the right level. They were more like tutorials – they provided instruction and guidance for the new user – like me. I learned about different shots and how to use them. I have new ideas as to how to apply these concepts in my classroom, how to make the curriculum come alive for the students. It gives me the opportunity to step away from the textbook and teach the content in a new way – one that will capture their attention. //  //  I also believe that part of what we learned throughout the course was about project management. This class was not just about technical known how – it was also about learning to lead and work with a group. This was the hardest lesson to learn in my opinion but it has provided me with great insight and experiences which I will use in the future. // 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? // As a future leader in the educational technology field I acquired many technical skills – how to work with different programs such as Audacity, MovieMaker and Adobe. I also developed leadership and project management skills. Project management skills are in high demand and this was a “by-product” of this course. This will be an asset to any employer whether it is a school district or in the private sector. //  //  As a leader I will also be able to understand the challenges that other teachers might face when trying to integrate and use these programs in their classroom. My support will come from actual experience and not just from a technical manual. //  //  As a teacher the outcome is very relevant to what I do now. I can put myself in the place of my students and understand their success and/or frustration when working with these or other programs. I will be able to let them make their mistakes and correct them, the same way I had to make my own. I have learned that the learning process in technology is “hands-on” and that there are no easy fixes. // 3. What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them? // I am a little disappointed with the Public Service Announcement we made. Even though it was our first video, I feel the quality of the video we produced could have been better. I am very satisfied with the script, narration and the music. Most of the shots were very good but again we did not have the time to edit the final product. We could have done a little more editing to make the transitions flawless. //  //  Had we known ahead of time that the duties that had been assigned to other people would not be completed on time, we could have come up with alternate solutions. I have learned that in future projects, it will be in our best interest to prepare a “Schedule of Deliverables” and not assign duties to just one person. Even within a team, duties should be shared to avoid this situation from happening again. //  //  I believe we had adequate time to complete the PSA but do to scheduling and communication issues we did not maximized the use of our time. // 4.  Were you successful in completing the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you? // The assignments for weeks 1 & 2 were very challenging because I did not have the technical knowledge and it felt like “on-the-job-training” at times. There was no teacher to ask questions to or get help from when you encountered a problem. You had to rely on your own skills and the FAQ’s for the programs you were using to succeed. On the other hand it was very exciting to learn all the new programs and techniques. I was a newbie as far as video production so for me it was an exciting class. // // Our team was successful in completing the PSA because we rallied at the end and worked arduously to complete it. We had to deal with team members that were not completing their tasks and that made the project more difficult. In the process, our team was developing and improving their communication, leadership and project management skills. //  5.  What did you learn from this course: about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes? // Aside from learning about the technical aspect of video production, I learned that I have no patience for irresponsible people. I learned that I have to work on my diplomacy skills because I am too blunt but I also learned that I CAN work in a team as long as it is TEAM work – I will not carry others. // // I learned that I love technology!! The best compliment I have received so far came from my 17-year-old daughter – she called me a geek! I learned that I am not afraid to try new things, that I actually enjoy the challenge of producing and creating new things! // // However, I also learned that I am capable of leading a group and motivate them to work; I am capable of taking a project and completing it – rain or shine! There is a certain degree of self-confidence you develop when you succeed at something, especially if it was a long and hard road to travel. //