Learning Journal #6: Celebration!

After some frustrations (refer to earlier post) we decided to localize the project on one single computer to solve the problem of the looming and dooming red X’s. Low and behold it was not the going from computer to computer that was the culprit of the X…..it was something else.

It was either the program we initially chose to do it in (Window’s movie maker) or the way we recorded our narrations because they seemed to be constantly causing trouble. Or it may have been the computer Gods that knew extra practice was needed….so after re-doing the lineup several times the project was finally complete. I have yet to post it or burn it to a disk…so here’s hoping it really it done. In the meantime I am not turning off my computer until the project is safely turned in! No more red X’s haunting my dreams! We’re done!!!!

Learning Journal #5: Frustration!

I can't help but be frustrated right now because saving your "digital" work on a flash drive is seemingly impossible to do when you are working on several different computers. The work we had done on my computer at home showed up on the school computer with big red X's on it. Once we had decided we wanted to work in "Window's Movie Maker" we started over. The next day we went to work again and guess what showed up on the screen? Big red X's! I decided then and there we would stay on one computer for the remainder of the project. So once again I started over on my home computer. And naturally I'm having trouble with having sound and narrative together! It seemed to work at school when a classmate was showing me, but here on my own.....it refuses. Overall, A am frustrated!

Learning Journal #4

This week our digital storybooks starting coming together. My partner and I experimented with different types of media we could use for our project. We finally settled on Windows Movie Maker. The layout appeared to be the most "user-friendly." While finalizing our script for recording, a lot of new and fun ideas surfaced to make our video a little more entertaining. We were set to record! After a few....mistakes we finally got our recordings finished! It took a lot longer than we had anticipated, but we had fun with it. It was neat to see the sound waves on the screen, however, it became apparent that I am a louder person than my partner :( Oh-well. We were a little concerned about how we would add music on top of our voices, we are eager to learn how to piece the whole thing together!

Digital Learners: The power of media

I spent some time exploring the various websites that were given to us in class as tools for our digital stories. The greatest discovery in this exploration was Teachertube. I had no idea there was a youtube for teachers! I did some searching and found some really great videos. What a great resource to have in the classroom! There were various demonstrations, songs to learn curriculum, not to mention an endless supply of useful digital stories to use in my classroom. There are also very informative and enlightening videos on there. Forget facebook and blogs.....I think I have just found my new internet addiction! But I daresay teachertube would be a more productive habit than spending hours looking at other people's photos or chatting on facebook. One video in particular seem to be a testimony of media teachers everywhere. I felt it only appropriate to post it rather than summarize it. Its long, but interesting.




As for class, I'm looking forward to learning how to use Microsoft Photo story....because I have already forgotten how to use power point! Just kidding.....kind of :)

Journal #2: Digital Storybook

This week we talked about Digital Storybooks. I think this will be a very useful skill to explore and practice. It is clear that computers are being integrated more and more in classrooms and curriculum. I like the idea of digital storybooks because they can be personalized. You are the narrator and creator; therefore you are the deciding factor of what it is you want your students to learn. On the other hand, no need to re-create the wheel if you can find credible digital storybooks online. UEN, PBS, as well as other reliable sources have digital storybook links with lesson plans that align with the objectives and standards.

Not only will this be a valuable skill for me as an educator to have, but my students as well. This makes for a fun new assignment for students. It is a great way to assess, rather than test or even present. For example, when I was in sixth grade we had to do presentations on the country that we were assigned. I think this would be a neat addition to that project. I only hope I will be experienced enough at that point to teach how to do it!

Journal #1: Why I want to be a teacher, incorporating media in the classroom

I have wanted to be a sixth grade teacher since....well I was in sixth grade myself. In addition to being the role model guiding me to new dream career, my teacher was extremely influential on the course my life took after elementary school. The projects we did in class were my first initial exposure to the performing arts, the interest I pursued thereafter. Now that I am in education in college, I am learning exactly how powerful and valuable the use of the arts in the classroom is on a child's education. I am avid in my endeavor to ensure the arts are the basis of my curriculum.
I fully support Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. I believe a teacher should draw on as many possible delivery and practice techniques as possible in the classroom to reach each and every child in their unique ability to learn. There are areas in which I feel comfortable in using, such as drama, creative movement, visual art, language arts, as well as hands on projects, however, I feel I am lacking in my computer skills. Luckily, we are required to take an education computer class before we enter the professional program. The class was useful but at the same time very overwhelming. I felt like we only had time to touch the tip of the iceberg of the use of technology in the classroom. I was excited to learn how to use power point, excel, and other programs, while learning about all the valuable resources there are for teachers on the web! I am eager (and nervous) to continue on these processes... I need much more practice and reinforcement on exactly how to use them. Media has so much value and potential, especially in classrooms today where young children's lives are ruled by the ever advancing technology. It makes sense that teachers try to be as up to date on the use of a computer as our children somehow manage to be!