Assignment+Reflections+Week+4

=**Week 4** =

 In taking EDLD 5363: Multimedia Video Technology, our assignment was a cumulative group project to create a PSA (Public Service Annoucement). I expected to learn to use multimedia platforms such as iMovie, Microsoft’s Photo Story, and Microsoft Windows Movie Maker. I’ve used Audacity sound editor in the past so I was happy to see the requirement to use the sound editing software in one of the assignments. I expected to receive instruction on creating quality videotaped material to use in editing.
 * **Reflection on EDLD 5363 Assignment: Professional Development Activity; Podcast **

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My expectations were met in almost all areas. I especially liked assignments one and two, as they pushed the envelope of my comfort zone, while giving me ample opportunity to explore beyond my current knowledge. I was happy to use relevant material in both projects, creating a final product I was proud to share with friends and family. My expectations fell short in assignment three, as compatibility problems and file sharing challenges overshadowed the goal of learning to integrate the steps of producing a video from start to finish. Some group dynamics were also encountered, as two of us took the lead on the project in order to meet the deadlines.

I am the Technology Coordinator at my grade level (first) and I will certainly use these skills in my teaching, communication with staff and parents, and as learning tools for students. I’m especially excited to explore the area of digital storytelling to assist struggling readers. I also plan on investigating the possibility of using a Moodle platform to integrate technology more seamlessly, both for instruction and for communication. The technology TEKS for first graders doesn’t delve much into these aspects, although exposure and introduction to such technology can only help these students down the line.

I certainly feel more confident and capable in assisting fellow teachers in tackling video projects and offering ideas to incorporate technology into their classrooms. I like to think about projects in terms of knowing something can be done, and then finding the way to do it. This course offered me insight into many of the tools to accomplish project goals. I also gained insight that I have much more work to do in this area to feel comfortable producing a product using this tool.

 EDLD 5365: Web Mastering was, in my opinion, one of the more challenging courses in the Education Technology Leadership program. The sheer vastness of knowledge needed from idea inception to planning included many areas in which I still need additional professional development. We began with creating accounts on NewSchoolSpaces.net and our readings focused on the importance of planning a website's development with the understanding of CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) to meet various user's needs and ease of making adjustments to the site once developed. I was unable to include examples of the drupal blog posts at NewSchoolSpaces.net because the files were no longer saved on NewSchoolSpaces.net.
 * **Reflection on EDLD 5365 Assignment: Acceptable Use Policy, Create Website **

The portion of this assignment that I enjoyed the most was the close look at my school's Acceptable Use Policy and the task of creating a video for the website that helped students gain an understanding of an AUP. I worked to convey the information, using young students (first graders) in explaining what an AUP is for and what it means to follow the guidelines when using computers. The script below is a simplified version of the policy. In creating this script, my colleagues became interested in the process of making students more aware of the AUP.