BP8_Links to Comments

Follow this link to my comments on Valencia Winston's learning scenario using Edmodo.

Follow this link to my comments on Tracey Anderson's learning scenario using Tonara.

RILS Project

For my RILS Project, I planned to have the students set up a Personal Learning Environment (PLE) using either iGoogle for Netvibes. The approval process for using these tools was a little more difficult and involved than I originally anticipated. So, I had to fall back and punt. Instead of having the students set-up a PLE, I decided to have them create a blog. I wanted to use Blogger; however, after the mention of resources on Google raised an eyebrow, I had to go with WordPress because I had prior approval for that.

The blog is actually a more logical first step - because it creates a space where learning can be journaled and documented. When the PLE's are created, the experience can be documented and reflected upon in their blogs. This RILS has served as a first step for my Action Research project. For administrative purposes, I have had the opportunity to think through the elements necessary to fully involve the students in my Action Research project, in addition to gaining access to the necessary Web 2.0 resources.

PE5_Netvibes

For my Relevant and Innovative Learning Scenario (RILS), the students will also set up an account on www.netvibes.com.  I love the idea of a Personal Learning Environment (PLE).  Students always love activities that are personal to them because the see the value.  My students search the Internet a lot to read articles and are always very interested in news and current events.  It is absolutely wonderful that they can have a space which provides information overload on the topics/issues of their choice.  Of course, my job will be to assist them in evaluating sources and determining which information is best.

Creating an account on Netvibes is really easy, and I don't foresee any access problems with the network at school.  In preparation for the lesson, I will work with the computer technicians to solve any accessibility issues.  I like that the students can have multiple dashboards.  In the screen shot below, you can see my three dashboards: youth ministry, career and technical education, and fine and performing arts careers.  I also have the option of activating my public page.

For each interest, there are basically three to four default tabs when one initially begins the site:  news, videos, conversations, and google searches.  Additional tabs can be added.

With Netvibes, I like that I can stay signed-in.  I started my Netvibes account about two week ago.  Whenever I go to www.netvibes.com, my dashboard automatically appears.  I have easy access to lots of buzz about my interests.

Undoubtedly, the students will love getting the 411on what they enjoy.  I love that Netvibes will provide them with news and current events about their interests.  In my experience as a classroom teacher, many students have not researched the careers, etc. in which they proclaim interest.  Or, they have very limited knowledge of what the career actually involves.  If they are aware of the career, they normally are not aware of current issues pertaining to the career or how to keep themselves updated and inundated with pertinent information. I believe Netvibes is an excellent way to get them in on the conversation.  When they meet professionals, have interviews, write essays, etc., I foresee this tool helping them to gain an awareness that will enable them to engage in a meaningful way with their audience.

PE4_Tagxedo

My Relevant and Innovative Learning Scenario (RILS), will be one of the first lessons for my Action Research Project.  My Action Research Project is Using Technology to Engage Fine and Performing Arts Students in the Career Development Process.

For my RILS, one of the Web 2.0 tools that I will use is Tagxedo.  Whenever I have used Worlde, the students love it!  So, I know they will love working with Tagxedo.  Next week, the students will have a guest speaker who will facilitate a lesson on the use of social media for personal branding.  In conjunction with that lesson, and to begin collecting artistic images for their career portfolio, I thought Tagxedo was a great fit.

I actually had trouble with Tagxedo.  I don't think my Mac liked it.  I have to figure out what the problem is.  For time sake, I actually played on Tagxedo on my PC.  I wasted a lot of time trying to figure out how to make my Mac like the site.  I downloaded Microsoft Silverlight, but the Create page still never populated - even after I refreshed the screen.  Even working on my PC wasn't the easiest process.  I have never used Tagxedo before; however, there was a weird overlap of the created images and the default image/items on the Tagxedo site.

Nevertheless, I was able to utilize the Tagxedo features and create some really cool images from text on my Action Research website and from the welcome post on this blog.  I enjoyed that I could select which shape I wanted the words to form.  I have to play some more with the option which allows importing a picture and having the words to take the shape of that picture.  I loved how easy it is to save pictures and the ability to make multiple pictures because Tagxedo keeps a history of the word pictures for least that session.

Overall, I know the students will enjoy the versatility of Tagxedo and get them really excited about using technology to create self-descriptive images for their career portfolios.

BP7_CeeVee Video

One-minute video about CeeVee

BP6_Tracy Anderson's Blog

Follow this link to view my comments on Tracy Anderson's Blog.

BP5_db innovative management's blog

Follow this link to view my comments on db innovative management's blog.

BP4_Collaborize Classroom

Collaborize Classroom is a Web 2.0 tool designed to engage students in meaningful discussion.  In Callaborize Classroom, teachers set up the initial account and accompanying site.  During the account set-up process, teachers are able to identify categories or individual class/course sections.  Once the account is set-up, teachers share the site URL with the students.  Students go to the site URL and register as a user of the site.  When students register, the teacher receives e-mail in his or her Collaborize Classroom inbox.  The e-mail is notification to confirm the student registration.

In Collaborize Classroom, teachers and students can Start a Discussion, which involves Asking a Question or Posting a Topic.  For teachers, the Question or Topic can be original or selected from a database by Subject or Grade Level.  For teachers, the community also offers a Professional Development component.  Teachers can comment on or join discussions regarding instruction and sign-up to participate in Webcasts.

When a student is logged into the site, he or she is able to see the Class Discussion, click on the link to the discussion and respond.  If the teacher or student who posted the discussion attached media to the post, the student will also be able to see an image, view a video or read a PDF.  Teachers and students are able to view a report of the responses.

I look forward to trying Collaborize Classroom with my students. It seems like a relatively easy medium for discussion, sharing ideas and assessing knowledge.  Although I reviewed the tool carefully, as yet, I have not used it with my students.  However, if you are looking for a way to organize classroom discussions and provide opportunities for students to utilize social networking in the classroom, I suggest trying Collaborize Classroom.

PE3_iMovie

In the past, I have been blessed to get video and still shots set to music – just close enough where it mimicked footage set to a beat!

I was too hype to see editing to a beat feature in iMovie! In my lab at school, we have Dell computers (with Microsoft software, of course) that I love. I have no complaints. Technology alone is wonderful! PC’s have been good to me over the years. However, I do wish my students could experience these yummy Apple features with all the attention to detail and thoughtfulness toward making the user experience so delicious.

I can make cool-looking, really authentic videos for my students; however, it’s really cool when they can use the resources themselves. A couple years ago, one of my co-workers was working to get an Apple lab at our school. I’m not sure what happened. I know networking and tech support were issues. I was willing to work with him – to be another teacher who was familiar with the products.

In the past, I have known it was necessary. However this program really has me thinking about ways for the students to have the Apple experience. Both platforms are “out there” and are in use. As a Career and Technical Education teacher, we are preparing students for career. I just believe we are doing them an injustice – if we do not expose them to the wide range of resources.

Now, back to the iMovie ’11 Essential Training…I love the variety of ways video can be shared. Prior to the training, I had seen the options, but had not taken the time to explore them. Major options –Facebook, Vimeo, and YouTube- are easily accessible, when necessary eliminating the “middle man.”

As a learner, I will have to go back and review the sharing features more thoroughly. After a while, I really don’t do well following along. I grew tried of rewinding and pausing, in order to catch what our teacher was doing. Honestly, I was a little frustrated and just resorted to watching the videos.

Overall, the iMovie ’11 Essential Training was a wonderful experience! I am so thankful for the Lynda.com resource. It is particularly beneficial to have a premium membership and have access to the Exercise Files. Another BIG “Thank You” to the folks at Full Sail University!

PE2_iMovie

As I progressed through the iMovie ’11 Essential Training on Lynda.com, I was really impressed by all the features. In my initial explorations of iMovie, I had noticed the themes and backgrounds and worked with transitions. However, receiving formal instruction really brought so much clarity and depth of understanding in how to use all the features.

Prior to the training, I had not taken time to explore how to create a movie trailer. It is so easy! It’s basically plug-n-play…plug in the media assets and play. And, it’s so authentic. Even though I was using headphones, I guess my volume was turned up a little louder than usual. As I watched and worked along with the movie trailer portion of the training, my husband said, “What are you doing…watching an adventure movie or something?”

I can see myself using random pictures and footage of my students and using the Movie Trailer feature in iMovie to create videos to use as anticipatory sets. It will be so neat for them to see themselves involved in a topic or unit it is being introduced.

It was also very helpful to have instruction on adding pictures. I was glad to find that it’s a drag and drop scenario. The Ken Burns effect is a wonderful default feature to add motion to those still shots. I love the attention to detail with the cropping feature and how easy it is to edit settings for the cropping feature and other image adjustments.

To take my video production to the next level, I really needed to know how to split video clips and insert a still shot, while keeping the audio from the video. I also needed to know how to utilize audio from one section of video to replace another section with bad audio. As with the image/photo settings, audio settings are easily accessible for making adjustments. Oh yeah, the stabilization feature rocks! Just the possibility of redeeming good footage -that’s not good because it’s too shaky- is awesome!

Also, I loved the green screen feature! It’s so easy in iMovie ’11 to work with green screen. I can’t wait to do something really neat with this. I would love to put myself in the middle of some footage from some far off place. I can hear my students asking, “Is that you? You went there – for real?” LOL!

I have enjoyed video editing for a few years now. I have wanted to experience video editing with Apple products. Right now, I am living the dream!

PE1_iMovie

The iMovie ’11 Essential Training on Lynda.com was a first for me. I have NEVER taken the time to complete software tutorials. Prior to being a Full Sail student, I was a total PC user – just because everywhere I have ever worked used PC’s. I had never used a Mac. Windows Movie Maker was my introduction to video editing and production. I was introduced to Movie Maker during a professional development session. After the initial introduction, it was months before I used Movie Maker. I think I misplaced my notes or something ridiculous. One day I finally decided I would just “go for it” like I have always done. I realized how easy it was, and I really developed a love for video editing.

I don’t recall which Full Sail assignment launched me into the depths of iMovie; however, the basic knowledge gained from working with Movie Maker, definitely gave me an understanding and foundational knowledge of what to expect and what I should be able to do.

Of course, participating in the iMovie Essential Training has strengthened my foundation with iMovie. I liken it to my experience with Microsoft Office products. Like so many, I never took a course, I learned from experience. When I became a teacher in 2004, I had to teach the software and prepare students for the Microsoft Office Specialist certification. So, I had to learn the textbook methods and key vocabulary.

As such, I understand the rationale for having us to complete the iMovie ’11 Essential Training after working with it. There is value in exploring new software and learning independently before having formal instruction.

From the iMovie ’11 Essential Training, it was great to gain clarity on importing video and pictures. I was extremely happy to find that importing pictures to iPhoto is as simple as dropping them in the icon on the dock. I also enjoyed learning how to mark video as favorite, rejected, etc., and I gained clarity on Events and Projects organizational system. I also appreciate the detail available for editing individual clips and how easy it is to isolate good footage and delete/trash unwanted footage.

Primarily, from the first sections of the training, I received instruction on basic iMovie features. The knowledge I gained will enable me to be more productive (and experience less frustration) when using iMovie. I also want this experience to be the beginning of me taking the time to utilize the resource in tutorials.

For my personal learning and in my professional practice, I need to network more and connect with people and resources more. I see a trend in my practice that transcends across the board. In all my work, I need to utilize resources, in order to be more effective and productive. I tend to walk the line between introversion and extraversion. I see where the introverted portion of my personality has formed a glass ceiling of sorts over my practice. It's time to breakthrough!

BP3_CeeVee

The Web 2.0 tool that I explored is CeeVee, which is a resume-writing/posting tool. The topic for my action research project is Using Technology to Engage Fine Arts Students in the Career Development Process. I chose CeeVee because I am seeking tools that students may use to post resumes online.

Upon signing up for CeeVee, one is offered the opportunity to link with one’s Facebook account. This allows for ease in posting a resume and even a way to ask friends for recommendations.

The most useful part of the tool was the ability to import resume information from LinkedIn. I did NOT want to rewrite or even take the time to copy and paste information from my resume into the CeeVee textboxes. What a nightmare to have to reprocess all that information. Although I have been on LinkedIn for a while, I had not taken the time to show my profile any real love. To avoid having to insert all my information, I uploaded my resume to LinkedIn. Then, I imported from LinkedIn to CeeVee. It was a little frustrating at first because with the initial import from LinkedIn to CeeVee, my entire resume didn’t “make-it-over.”

After a while, I thought, “This is a Web 2.0 Tool. This has to work better than this.” So, I tried again. I uploaded to LinkedIn again. Then, I imported from LinkedIn to CeeVee again. This time it was better. Most of my resume “came over.” I just had to delete some repetitive parts and edit some parts that were accidentally merged.

The final result is that the resume can be sent as a PDF, emailed and shared via Twitter or Facebook. The tool is useful and is a way to send out resumes quickly. I plan to consult with a professional resume writer and ask if the format is one that is considered acceptable by employers.

For students, I believe they will enjoy working between tools and will be happy that once they have a basic resume format, it can so easily be shared with individuals in their network, in addition to a way to ask friends for a recommendation or to serve as a reference. I sent one of my Facebook friends, Darick Jones, from our EMDTMS program a recommendation request. I look forward to a reply form him and seeing how effectively this part of the tool works.

BP2_iGoogleScreenShots

BP1_Welcome to my blog

Feel free to enjoy the flood of refreshing and revitalizing technology colored raindrops

like lollipops succulent funshine designed to surprise and tantalize - SPLASH! - New wine just burst old skins!

Welcome to my blog! - the place where I will share my encounters and epiphanies, as I journey through the rewarding process of the Educational Media Design and Technology Master's Degree Program at Full Sail University.

Enjoy! These raindrops are staindrops that hit and saturate your canvas.