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!