Creating a Public Service Announcement (PSA) is the assignment for Weeks 3-5 in my technology class. As we began, getting a group together was difficult. I started with the person I had worked with in week two, and then added one by one until we finally reached four. Since none of us had worked together, each person stated their strengths and how they felt they could best contribute to the group as a whole.
One person is great at story starters and outlining, one has the camera and willing to take all of the shots for the group, one is familiar with adobe editing, and I am great at organizing and putting things together.
We began with a wiki to brainstorm ideas and ended up with a "Little Red Riding Hood" type theme with a twist. We are doing Little Red Surfer as the hero and the shark as the villain, working with "Safe Surfing" on the internet. We then used Google documents and a slide show for the storyboard and shot sequence. Davis (2000) points out five traditional video shots and describes how and why to use each shot. This guide helped tremendously when deciding the sequencing of the shot and choice of shots.
Week 3 was really great. We started early in the week with chatting on Google and writing ideas, then tweaking them as the plot was unveiled. I put the Lamar document into Google docs then made the rest collaborators so that all could do their parts.
We met 4 times in week three to brainstorm, collaborate, edit and finalize our first group assignment. Though finding the time when 4 busy women will get together is quite a daunting task, with the use of wikis, Google chat, Google documents and the telephone. We are making good progress.
Slide show
http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=dgb2cjjn_56hgqt9fgr
Assignment sheet
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dgb2cjjn_54gv2zk2hb
REFERENCE
Davis, B. (2000). Nice shot: A guide to common video shots types. Videomaker. Retrieved on June 9, 2009, from http://www.videomaker.com/article/7575/
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Creating a One Minute Video
To create a one minute video is more difficult than it may sound. First you must decide what type of editing software to use. I chose Moviemaker because of the ease of use. I teach elementary education and being that it is free and already on our computers at school, the students will have access and won't have to wait for technicians to install the downloads.
Then you must come up with the idea. My partners and I used goggle docs to brainstorm and collaborate. We each chose a color for our added comments to help clarify who is talking.
Who uses video technology?
The Who came to mind immediately for me. Then we took those ideas as a general outline and found video clips and shared software while chatting on goggle chat. It makes it so much easier when you have relatively quick feedback when asking a question and/or needing assistance. The frustration level remand low.
Using a storyboard and planning shots are extremely helpful. Moviemaker has built in storyboards where you place the videos in order of how you want them to show on the movie you are making. Editing now begins.
You will need a converter to change videos into a format where you can edit. All of these things take time. Not just one minute.
With all of this said, I really enjoyed making the video. Any struggles I might have had were answered with help buttons and/or web searches. I have a greater appreciation for editors and all the work they must endure to compile a 2 hour movie. Judgement calls are made and clipping a video in the wrong place could lead to a new meaning in the video.
http://paynefreewiki.wikispaces.com/1+Minute+Video
Then you must come up with the idea. My partners and I used goggle docs to brainstorm and collaborate. We each chose a color for our added comments to help clarify who is talking.
Who uses video technology?
The Who came to mind immediately for me. Then we took those ideas as a general outline and found video clips and shared software while chatting on goggle chat. It makes it so much easier when you have relatively quick feedback when asking a question and/or needing assistance. The frustration level remand low.
Using a storyboard and planning shots are extremely helpful. Moviemaker has built in storyboards where you place the videos in order of how you want them to show on the movie you are making. Editing now begins.
You will need a converter to change videos into a format where you can edit. All of these things take time. Not just one minute.
With all of this said, I really enjoyed making the video. Any struggles I might have had were answered with help buttons and/or web searches. I have a greater appreciation for editors and all the work they must endure to compile a 2 hour movie. Judgement calls are made and clipping a video in the wrong place could lead to a new meaning in the video.
http://paynefreewiki.wikispaces.com/1+Minute+Video
Choosing a Editing Software
WOW! I had no idea how much I didn't know about editing until deciding what type of editing software I needed.
The main attribute that I looked for was ease of use. I began with a free 3o day trial of Adobe Premiere. But after looking at it, I realized would need several days of tutorials and I would probably personally not buy it after the 30 day trial period was over. I choose to use the Moviemaker software already on my computer. I still had to download free converters of videos from http://www.youtube.com/ in order convert videos into a format for editing.
WMV, AVI, FLV were all unfamiliar to prior to this project.
As I teach elementary education, I can see Moviemaker being used by students and faculty as it was very easy to understand how, why and when to use the different aspects of the program.
The main attribute that I looked for was ease of use. I began with a free 3o day trial of Adobe Premiere. But after looking at it, I realized would need several days of tutorials and I would probably personally not buy it after the 30 day trial period was over. I choose to use the Moviemaker software already on my computer. I still had to download free converters of videos from http://www.youtube.com/ in order convert videos into a format for editing.
WMV, AVI, FLV were all unfamiliar to prior to this project.
As I teach elementary education, I can see Moviemaker being used by students and faculty as it was very easy to understand how, why and when to use the different aspects of the program.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
2nd Sychronized Web Conferencing
June 9, 2009
This session was much easier to manage than the last. Even though there were a lot of people that were not in the previous session that I was in, I believe stating the norms of not moving the screen and listening while others are trying to talk was extremely helpful.
I think if the host(s) or presenters would cue each person on one or two at a time, have them introduce themselves, where they are from etc., the meeting would have a little more meaning and/or structure.
Then switch host and/or presenters and have them introduce and cue in the next several people. Continue this until all participants had the opportunity to be host/presenter/speaker.
This gives everyone the opportunity to try the gadgets without getting sea sick or frustrated.
I understand the meeting is an exploration of the technology. But taking turns is never a bad thing.
I decided not to participate in the hosting until most had left since I had done it the previous session and thoroughly enjoyed even with all the changes and interruptions with the bandwidth cutting people in and out. Faces and voices really help our groups come together.
Again, I had a great time and was reluctant to leave. Thanks again!
A big thank you to Dr. Abernathy for organizing and coming up with a great activity for those that wished to participate. :)
I think if the host(s) or presenters would cue each person on one or two at a time, have them introduce themselves, where they are from etc., the meeting would have a little more meaning and/or structure.
Then switch host and/or presenters and have them introduce and cue in the next several people. Continue this until all participants had the opportunity to be host/presenter/speaker.
This gives everyone the opportunity to try the gadgets without getting sea sick or frustrated.
I understand the meeting is an exploration of the technology. But taking turns is never a bad thing.
I decided not to participate in the hosting until most had left since I had done it the previous session and thoroughly enjoyed even with all the changes and interruptions with the bandwidth cutting people in and out. Faces and voices really help our groups come together.
Again, I had a great time and was reluctant to leave. Thanks again!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Creating a digital story
Well, this was a first. I had just taken a workshop on Photostory 3, so I had a little experience with adding pictures, titles, and sound. But using a storyboard was a challenge for me. I quit enjoyed the experience. I chose to change the color of the font of the first word of the narration to indicate that a slide change in the storyboarding. I didn't have problems with the sound of my voice. But when I was tired, I could definitely tell a difference in the volume.
I agree with Shank (n.d.) when she said “the whole should be greater than the sum of the parts” (p. 2). In digital storytelling, the finished product is definitely more than the pictures, title, text and sound would be individually.Collaborating with others was very helpful as they could see where changes should be made to make more of an impact or less of one, also with choosing sounds and words to help convey the meaning the producer was trying to make.
Overall the experience was not as stressful as I thought it would be. With the use of a step by step guide to digital storytelling by Lambert, the process itself was fairly easy to follow. In deciding what type of story to produce, Lambert (2007) gives suggestions on the type of personal story to begin with and questions to help narrow down the topic and give a personal aspect to the process. The two questions from the author that impacted the video the most were “What lesson did they give you that you feel is important?” and “If you had something to say to them, that they may have never heard you say, what would it be?” (p. 6).
All of the programs used were free downloads and easy to follow. This was also my first time downloading to YouTube. I did get lots of help with that. Thanks everyone. I do recommend creating a storyboard for storytelling and want to use this in my classroom at school as one of the presentation options. I think I would include a timeline for each part so students won't get stalled in any one of the parts to complete the project.
REFERENCES
Shank, P. (n.d.). The value of multimedia in learning. Think Tank. Retrieved June 2, 2009, from http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/thinktank/valuemedia/
Lambert, J. (2007, February). Digital storytelling cookbook, 1-30. Story Center. Retrieved June 2, 2009, from http://www.storycenter.org/cookbook.pdf
I agree with Shank (n.d.) when she said “the whole should be greater than the sum of the parts” (p. 2). In digital storytelling, the finished product is definitely more than the pictures, title, text and sound would be individually.Collaborating with others was very helpful as they could see where changes should be made to make more of an impact or less of one, also with choosing sounds and words to help convey the meaning the producer was trying to make.
Overall the experience was not as stressful as I thought it would be. With the use of a step by step guide to digital storytelling by Lambert, the process itself was fairly easy to follow. In deciding what type of story to produce, Lambert (2007) gives suggestions on the type of personal story to begin with and questions to help narrow down the topic and give a personal aspect to the process. The two questions from the author that impacted the video the most were “What lesson did they give you that you feel is important?” and “If you had something to say to them, that they may have never heard you say, what would it be?” (p. 6).
All of the programs used were free downloads and easy to follow. This was also my first time downloading to YouTube. I did get lots of help with that. Thanks everyone. I do recommend creating a storyboard for storytelling and want to use this in my classroom at school as one of the presentation options. I think I would include a timeline for each part so students won't get stalled in any one of the parts to complete the project.
REFERENCES
Shank, P. (n.d.). The value of multimedia in learning. Think Tank. Retrieved June 2, 2009, from http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/thinktank/valuemedia/
Lambert, J. (2007, February). Digital storytelling cookbook, 1-30. Story Center. Retrieved June 2, 2009, from http://www.storycenter.org/cookbook.pdf
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Synchronous Web Conference
I just finished with a 29 attendee synchronous Web conference. It was interesting being that not many people had ever attended a web conference before.
Many obstacles had to be overcome with microphones and cameras learning how to access and control volume and feedback. Once 12 to 13 people were on the camera, bandwidth seemed to be a problem. To have everyone be able to see each other, you had to give hosting abilities which then opened up a whole new area. The screen began moving and changing as each person modified the screen. Eveyone had access to them which became a visual problem with the motion and not being able to focus.
If this was being used for a class, a set of criteria would need to be established so as not to over complicate or frustrate the attendees.
Being that this is a distance learning course, I feel that web conferencing is very benefical to get to know others that are in th e class so to encourage collaboration and be more of a team. I sometimes feel isolated when I have a question or do not understand an assigment. The coach only has so much time and certain quesitons can be handle within discussions.
Putting a picture with the names was comforting for me also. There are many in my section that I don't really know very well. Only those that have made contact through web conferencing and email chatting.
Putting a picture with the names was comforting for me also. There are many in my section that I don't really know very well. Only those that have made contact through web conferencing and email chatting.
Many obstacles had to be overcome with microphones and cameras learning how to access and control volume and feedback. Once 12 to 13 people were on the camera, bandwidth seemed to be a problem. To have everyone be able to see each other, you had to give hosting abilities which then opened up a whole new area. The screen began moving and changing as each person modified the screen. Eveyone had access to them which became a visual problem with the motion and not being able to focus.
If this was being used for a class, a set of criteria would need to be established so as not to over complicate or frustrate the attendees.
Being that this is a distance learning course, I feel that web conferencing is very benefical to get to know others that are in th e class so to encourage collaboration and be more of a team. I sometimes feel isolated when I have a question or do not understand an assigment. The coach only has so much time and certain quesitons can be handle within discussions.
Putting a picture with the names was comforting for me also. There are many in my section that I don't really know very well. Only those that have made contact through web conferencing and email chatting.
Putting a picture with the names was comforting for me also. There are many in my section that I don't really know very well. Only those that have made contact through web conferencing and email chatting.
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