Multimedia in the Classroom: Course Review

Melissa HechtOctober 2010

Useful ToolImage editing:

Pixir is more intuitive and easier to use filtersAviary has better tutorials to learn more advanced editing in order to use pixir better later

AudioLiked audacity for editingFound podbean easiest for uploading (once I learned to format my audacity project as an MP3 file)

Online Video Editing: Animoto user friendly, but not happy about fee for videos longer than 30 secondsProgram Video editing: hands down prefer i movie to original movie maker, but have not tried new movie maker program

Successes & ChallengesSuccesses

Learned a lot about image editingGot valuable websites and resources to use for all multimediaAppreciated image sites that are free and not copyrightedOpened my mind for ways to use new tools in a class

ChallengesCould spend too many hours editing pictures, audio, and videoFiguring out to format audacity files as MP3 to upload themNot being able to knowledgeably weed through tools and try different ones. (so many options and too little experience to know what to try)

Moodle/ Online LearningPositives

Love working at my own pace when I have timeVery easy and intuitive to use moodle format to work through modulesClear expectations of what needs to be completedAppreciated no online required chats or in person meetings, but we knew we could reach you for help when neededLiked when instructor recommended preferred programs to narrow sites to try

Moodle/ Online LearningNegatives

Without knowledge of how programs can be used for class projects, how to use them (technically), and pros and cons/ situations in which they are best to be used, it is very difficult to weed through large lists of available programs, pick a good one to try, and really play with them to get proficient Trying to learn how to use tools can be far more time consuming figuring it out by trial and error than if there was some instruction to learn the basic features (though admittedly I liked not having class in person). Perhaps also including before and after examples of outcomes would help so we are inspired with what effects to try.

Suggestions for ImprovementsFor example for imaging:

It might be helpful to narrow imaging lists to basic editing (specifying that basic means red eye reductions, cropping, color adjustment, etc) versus advanced editing with layering, filter effects, ability to makes comic strip pics from real pics, black and white combined with color, etc.

For audio:Explain why 1 program could be better than another and in which situations and for what purposes

Suggestions for Improvements

For a few topics, this was done, but providing suggestions for ways to utilize in the classroom is very good and helps spark me to know what functions I may want to master in a program since I will have some idea of how I will use them. Taking it a step further, this is difficult because the course is catered to all grade level teachers, but eventually even including ways to use the tools in specific content areas (science, math, english, etc) would be helpful and also provide examples of what teachers have used and how they used the tools would be great!

Suggestions for Improvements

It would be helpful for us to be given perhaps a chart for each topic listing all the available websites but divided into basic, medium, and advanced level difficulty. Also provide a list of possible functions that can be achieved in each topic so we can decide how complicated we want to try and know what functions to seek out in a program.

EditedImages

Audio- PodcastMock Interview based on NPR shows“Interviewed” donkey from Shrek about relationship with Mrs. DragonFictitious NPR show called: “Talk Around Fairytale Land”Find interview at: http://mhecht.podbean.com/

Online Video Editing Program

Used Animoto editing online toolMade 30 second video about rapid changes in natureFind video at: http://animoto.com/play/Mj9sch4hLQKOZuJyAHbv0Q

Program Video Editing

Used i movie programHave also used movie maker in the pastMade video for cousin for his rehearsal dinner before his weddingBackground: my cousin spent 1 summer living with my parents and this video is the ridiculous flashback experience.Please excuse my ridiculous family!Video can be downloaded at : http://www.filedropper.com/rick

P.S.

I do not customarily write full senteces and thoughts on powerpoint.Without verbally presenting material, I felt it necessary to write full sentences to be more clear…SORRY!

THANK YOU, RICH!

I feel like I have many new tools to use and explore.You have cut the world wide web into manageable and useful sites (which often can be an overwhelming sea of info to navigate through)You have introduced to me to sites and tools I did not know existed.You are a great RESOURCE and a very valuable tool for us to keep in touch with.Thank you for being available for the course and after hopefully