Reflection on EDLD 5366

Digital Graphics, Animation, and Desktop Publishing have been a new experience for me the last five weeks. I have gained a great deal of knowledge from this class. I had no experience in digital graphics or animation. I did not realize how useful animation could be in the classroom setting. As stated in the article, Understanding Multimedia Learning: Integrating Multimedia in the K-12 classroom, the author states “Including multimedia as part of instruction can significantly enhance student learning” (Research, 2008). I have found this statement to be true. I believe anytime technology can be integrated into a lesson it helps keep the students focused. "Games succeed because they encapsulate powerful design principles for learning environments"(Halverson, 2005). I find this to be true with most technology. I have learned throughout this course that students thrive on learning new technology. I have absolutely loved learning the software and taking the design principals we have learned and putting them into place on each of the projects.
As I read the literature for this course I found myself nodding my head in agreement with so much as we learned about the design principals and the importance of placement and color. It really brought my attention to the way that ads are created and why the creators do what they do. I particularly enjoyed reading the article with the movie poster from “Sweet Home Alabama.” I learned a great deal on how movie posters are made and how they place things to capture your attention without you even knowing. I found that to be interesting and tried my best to put those principals in place when creating my newsletter.
I found myself wanting to try Microsoft Publisher with my students, but feel they need a little more basic skills before we dive into creating a newsletter. I may start simple and let them create a one page flyer about Christmas Around the World and what they have learned over the past few weeks about Christmas in different countries. I feel technology in our studies should be integrated in all possible ways. With the 21st century learners that we teach on a daily basis, it is important that we capture their attention with the things they know, and they know technology.



Research, S. (2008). Understanding Multimedia Learning: Integrating multimedia in the K-12 classroom. Brain Pop , 1-17.
Halverson, R. (2005). What can k-12 School Leaders Learn from Video Games and Gaming. Retrieved from http://www.innovateonline.info/index.php?view=article&id=81

Investigating Ancient Manuscripts EDLD 5366 Assignment 1.2

The first impression that I had of the Bible from Ethiopia was that it was similar to most works done in this time period. It seems that most works done around this time were in the column format and written in black text.

Proximity is seen with the writing in the two columns. The picture at the top of the page is and the writing at the bottom of the page is important in some way because they are set by themselves. The alignment of the page is a two column page with an important writing of some kind on the bottom center. The picture in the upper left hand corner is left justified and captures your attention because it is in color. The black text is repeated throughout the text and gives the book a sense of consistency. The writing that is in black and the colored picture with writing is a type of contrast that allows your eye to flow through the reading easily.

The author makes it apparent by the amount of text that is on the page that the text is important and needs to be read. The picture also has some significance because it was done in a different color. This manuscript is an important piece of work because of the time it took to compose such a piece so long ago.

EDLD 5363- Wrapping It Up!

I must say the group work that was done the last few weeks was a great success. The group that I had the opportunity to work with was great! We all did a great job pulling our own weight. Each of our talents came out while working on this video project. I was nervous about having to work with a group, and things being out of my control. I was greatly surprised how well we all worked so well together. Our Skype calls were a great way for us to collaborate and organize our thoughts on a weekly basis. The group wiki was an awesome idea and was also a great way for each group member to post their work. We decided, as a group, to each create our own version of a video and then vote on the video that we wanted to use as our final production. This gave each of us an opportunity to learn the software more thoroughly. After a little discussion, we decided to use Lamar’s video. Lamar’s video was a step above each of ours. Even though we were each proud of our individual videos, Lamar’s video captured the essence of our topic. This class has been a challenge at times, but overall it has been a great learning experience. I hope that my future group work will be as positive as the one I have had in EDLD 5363.

Group Wiki: http://edld5363psagroup.wikispaces.com/
PSA on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S88aTGIQTCM

Week 4 Update for EDLE 5363

I was a bit nervous about having to work in a group, but the last few weeks have been well worth the time and effort. My group is Timothy (Lamar), Michelle, Jose, and Lucinda. I have enjoyed working with these four individuals and we have all worked hard to make this project a success. We have had several Skype calls to make sure we are all organized and on the same page, and Lucindia started us a wiki page for us to put all of our information. It has been great getting to work with this group, and I look forward to seeing the finished product. We each had our assignments and we each have fulfilled our duties to make this a successful week.


Wiki URL:
http://edld5363psagroup.wikispaces.com/

Web Conference-Monday, September 6th

I attended the web conference this evening. I found this web conference informative about the next few weeks assignments. I am looking forward to starting the next assignments now that I have a better handle on the information.

I was also able to get my camera to work this evening which was unable to do at the last web conference I attended. It was a little strange watching myself on the computer. I realized that it would be a good idea to fix my hair and maybe put on a little make-up the next time I am online. (Smile)

Overall, I found the web conference a success!

Adventures In Video Editing Software-Week 2 Assignment

Integrating media production in your curriculum can help you find new access to students and help them find new access to the material. Media production engages and excites; it leads to unexpected discoveries, increased self-awareness and esteem, sharpened critical thinking, analytical skills, group work skills, and ability to communicate ideas. Media production demands writing and rewriting, research, group effort, and clarity of thought” (Garrison, 2010). This quote explains exactly how I felt as I dove into the video editing software for this week’s assignment. I have never used any type of video editing software so this experience was new to me. I had to use my skills on Internet searching to find open source editing software.

I finally chose Windows Movie Maker and Blender. I found Blender a very complicated software to use and it was mostly for 3D graphics and that is not what I was wanting to use. Although Blender is compatible for more than one type of network it is tough software for beginners. I am defiantly a beginner when it comes to video editing.

I decided to go with Windows Movie Maker. Come to find out I already had Windows Movie Maker on my computer. It was so much fun diving into this program and learning how to use the software. I used several tutorials from YouTube to teach me the basics. Movie Maker is a very user friendly software and it great for beginners. I believe I would be able to create a class project using Movie Maker with my second graders. Later in the year I would like to tackle this project. I would love to collect video from the year and pictures and share this with the parents. I believe this would defiantly engage my students, because I could not seem to get enough of this editing software.


Garrison, A. (2010). Video basics and production projects for the classroom. Center for Media Literacy. Retrieved from http://www.medialit.org/reading_room/article3.html

Personal Digital Story Experience- EDLD 5363

I must say I was really excited about getting to learn something new. I had never used Photo Story and I was looking forward to trying it out. The technology is great and who can complain when the software is free. All I have to say about creating something with software that you have never used before is SAVE OFTEN! After working for several hours with Photo Story I lost every bit of my work and had to start all over. I wanted to cry. I had just spent the evening away from my family in hopes that I would finish my project and all I came home with was frustration. I have always been told to save often, and I usually do. I got caught up in the new and forgot to do the one thing you learn in technology 101. My project is now complete and I am glad that I learned a new software and the hard lesson of saving often.