Course Reflection for EDLD 5366

I envisioned this course as informative and hands on course with the use of specific programs. I enjoyed the assignments we did in this class, but the week 2 assignment on newsletter was my favorite. It gave us the opportunity to uses the 4 design principals we learned and read in week 1, the logo we created in week 2 and the animation we created in week 3. In addition, I read a lot of interesting articles and learned a lot about Graphic design. I never knew about the 4 design principal until I read the Design Principal article and creating the logo with the design principal. Overall, I think I did pretty well on each assignments since I knew how to uses most of the program and I just had to make I followed the rubric.

However, it was nice to collaborate with some same colleague from the same cohort since I knew what to expect from them, which help with the discussion and the assignments. Also, it nice to also get new people in this class since they gave a different point of view on the discussion and the assignments from other that I have already collaborated with.

Therefore, the information I learned will learned will help incorporated new ideas into my instruction to reach diverse learners. Also, I could asks question and pick my colleague’s brain since the past interactions and collaborations with colleague. Finally, the main question I would ask myself is “Does this benefit the student and am I reaching all the learners?

Animation

Assignment 1.2

My first impression of book is patterns and colors used. Each page had a red border repetition used and the writing is always in black. The symbols like circles and diamonds used on the cover and the first couple of pages are centered. The background colors are usually dark and are contrast with the light colored used on the individual faces. Also, the proximity of the picture is always immediately after the writing and the proximity of the border is around the picture and writing. Finally, authors/artists used repetition of the border and alignment writing to help understand the importance of the book.

Course Reflection for EDLD 5363

I envisioned this course as informative and hands on course with the use of specific multimedia and video technology. Therefore, the actual course outcome aligned with what I envisioned and a little more. I enjoyed collaborating with my team in making the PSA and it was something I did not envision doing. Also, the achieved outcomes are relevant to what I can do at school because I can present my work to the student using Photostory or MovieMaker. In addition, I can asks the students to work collaborate in present the material to their peers with the use of different multimedia and video technology. Next, there was no specific outcome that I did not achieved and I also successfully complete all my course assignment as requested. Finally, I learned how to uses different multimedia and video technology that I never used before like Photostory and editing video using Avidemax and MovieMaker.

PSA

The most important part of this PSA project was the pre-production in week 3. I also, believed we had a very though out plan, which made our PSA project successful. We chose our topic on cell phone uses in zones and came up with a script. From there, we each took part in bring in audio, pictures and video for the production of the project. We posted the information on the wiki and email each other about updates we have done on the wiki. Next, we post our rough draft of our PSA video on YouTube and our wiki by using Movie Maker to create it. We then sent comments through our email and posted them on wiki like adding a credit slide and adding all our voices in the voice over in our conclusion. Finally, the final video was post on YouTube.

The only way I believe we could of improve this PSA was to have more time and/or money. This would allow us to do more things create and uses things we were not able to. Also, we created our pictures and videos, thus we did not have any copyright issues. Finally, I think another key in our success of this project was the on going communication. We would email each other or post on the wiki about any problems, comments or updates we had about the project.

Here is our PSA video:

Podcast

Here is my podcast of my Movie Maker Tutorial, which also could be found on my wiki.
http://tonyvo.wikispaces.com/Video+Tutorial+Podcast

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Web Conference

I attended a web conference last week and it was pretty helpful. The web conference helped answer questions I had about digital story on the week 1 assignment. Also, it was nice to see that I was not the only one confused about the assignment. Finally, only a couple people had their webcam on and a lot the question were typed in.

Evaluation of Movie Maker and Avidemux

I chose Windows Movie Maker because it was the top choice in Desktop-Video-Guide and I have to agree with them. Windows Movie Maker is a free video editor that comes standard with the newer vision Windows XP or it can also be downloaded from Microsoft website. Windows Movie Maker can add video effect such as fade in, from white effect, from black effect and move clips up or down. However, projects that are done on Movie Maker can only be save as Windows Media Format, but you can imports asf, .avi, .m1v, .mp2, .mp2v, .mpe, .mpeg, .mpg, .mpv2, .wm, and .wmv files types. Audio can also be add in aif, .aifc, .aiff .asf, .au, .mp2, .mp3, .mpa, .snd, .wav, .wma file type and narration from a microphone is also available. Also, only one audio track can be record with the video. Finally, the interface is very user-friendly and ideal for beginners with the storyboard view and timeline to review and modify clips.

I wanted to chose another video editor that was not on the list, so I google and found Avidemux. Avidemux is a free open source video editor that works on multiple platforms like Linux, BSD, Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. Projects done on Avidemux can be save or converted to as .avi, .flv, .mpeg, .mp4, .mkv and .ogm by drop down list on the left-hand side because of the built-in encoder. However, many file types could be imported, including .avi, .asf, .wmv, .wma, .mkv, .flv, .mpeg, .mp4, .mov and .ogm because of the built-in decoder with multithreading availability. In addition, Avidemux can handle dual audio tracks, but only one internally. The interface is not as user-friendly as Windows Movie Maker because it has more option like multiple preview option with a navigation bar, deinterlacing videos and encoding animation. Finally, Avidemux can be use as standalone MPEG-4 player and it can also save audio or video files only.

In my past learning experience, I never used any video editor and closest thing I have used was Microsoft Photo Story. Thus, all of this was a new learning experience for me. Microsoft Movie Maker was the simpler of the two. It is great to create video for beginners, while Avidemux is for more advance users because of all its options.
Also, I can see video creation impact future lifelong learning by asking students to create video projects and teachers posting video lesson on-line for students. Finally, I will do a podcast powered by podbean.

Desktop-Video-Guide. (n.d.). Top 5 free video editing software programs. Retrieved on April 12, 2009, from http://www.desktop-video-guide.com/top-5-free-video-editing-software-review.html
Desktop-Video-Guide. (n.d.). Top 7 video editing software programs for beginners. Retrieved on April 12, 2009, from http://www.desktop-video-guide.com/top-7-video-editing-software-review.html

Digital Story

The digital story I created took a lot longer than I expected. I had to write a personal story and then find pictures to match the story while using Microsoft Photo Story 3. However, the hardest part of all was the voice recording and trying to make it flow with the pictures perfectly. I had a lot of help from my group and I like to thank Becky Godell, Shanda Shoop, and Katherine Kingston.

Action Research Plan

Action Research Question

• Does the integration of technology help differentiate the curriculum to increase student achievement among all student groups?

Setting the Foundation

• Through campus and district staff development and meetings, student achievement is important goals among everybody in the district.
  

Analyzing data

• Collect student data from District Common Assessment (DCA) and TAKS scores from the Geometry Team.
• Survey the Geometry teachers over the usage of technology in the classroom.
• Compare the data from DCA with results from teacher survey.

Developing deeper understanding

• Review and breaking down the data to look at the sub groups with the assistance of specialist.
• Interview teachers about their usage of technology in the classroom.

Engaging in Self-Reflection

• Meet with site mentor and ask the following question:
• Do I possess the skill and resource needed for to make this action research successful?
• Do I need additional resources and/or skill for this research?
• Am I satisfied with results of the survey?
  

Exploring Programmatic Patterns

• Teacher involvement is needed.
• Is the data skew?
• Do I need a new survey or do I need to revises my questions?
  

Determining direction

• Work with site mentor with the progress of plan.
• Collaborate with colleague on question.
  

Taking action for school improvement

• Write a plan and implement the plan with the campus for 2011 – 2012.
  

Sustaining improvement

• Follow-up meetings on progress on the plan and continue communication with the campus through email.

Action Research

What I learned this week is that action research is a powerful tool and it plays an important role in the success of schools and teachers. I read a lot of wonderful inquiries my follow classmate made about integrating technology, extra-curricular activities, communication with parents and other great ideas. Finally, if we can continue on with this research and uses some of the great information discovered in our teaching, life is going to get so much easier.

Action Reseach

I have learned what the true definition of action research and that there is a difference between action research and traditional, which I did not know. Action research is collected information that is examined and review in a systemic approach in solving problem using logical reasoning. Action research focuses on the concerns of the practioners and plays the role as a knowledge generator. In addition, the practioners are engaged in the design, data collection and interpretation of the data about their question. However, traditional education research is generated by outsiders like university studies and not to schools and classroom individuals. Also, traditional research does not include people involve school like administrators and teachers (Dana, 2009).
Furthermore, I learned that action researched is used by educators for many different settings. First, educator uses action research in university coursework in portfolio project, paper, and thesis or doctoral to obtain an advance degree. Secondly, action research is used with leadership team, which is formed by principal and consists of teachers and administrators. The team share responsibities, problems and decision making with the administration for school improvement. Also, action research are used with PLC to share best practices and professional growth. Finally, action research are used superintendent and district meetings. During the meeting, principals are placed in groups to complete interactive tasks to help each principal indentify an area of practice to study of their own. This goes on throughout the whole year and their work is shared with other at the end of the year (Dana, 2009).

Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA; Corwin Press.

Blogs and Educational Leaders

Educational leaders might use blog to share, learn, and discuss various information with others. Blogs could also be used to interact with stakeholder of educational leaders about current issues or upcoming events.

Texas star chart

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Texas star chart

View more presentations from TonyVo.

National Educational Technology Plan

The key to America’s economic growth and to complete in global economy is education. The NETP set two goals to transform the America’s education; 60% of the population should hold a 2 or 4-year degree and close the achievement gap. In addition, there were five key areas in the plan: learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure and productivity.
However, education reform is nothing new and has been going on for decades. Due to the high number of dropout rate, which stands at 24% and one-third of high school graduate are unprepared for college stated in the plan. NETP asks there to be a change in educational system and technology to play an important role in teaching and professional learning.
Next, the NETP asks all stakeholders such as the school, districts, states and federal government to be involved to make this reform work, especially funding at the national level. Also, they asks educator to make learning life-long and teach in different groups like small and large group. Something I believe that we should be already doing in our classroom or at least I have already been doing. NETP then ask to improve productivity by looking at the private sector as example to follow and improve learning outcome.
Finally, I believe this is a great plan, but I do not see it working. I believe the primary obstacle as stated in the plan is funding at the national level, but I also think the state could better budget their money to help too.

US Department of Education (2010). National Educational Technology Plan: Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology.

Summary of the Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020

The Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 is update of the first Long-Range Plan for Technology, 1988-2000 that was adopted 20 years ago. Due to the latest technology development, new goals and recommendations are been made to prepare the students for the 21st century. In addition, new programs were mandated by the legislation such as the Texas Virtual School Network and the Technology Immersion Pilot. According to Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020, Technology Immersion Pilot explores the relationship between student performance and educational technology in Texas public schools. Technology Immersion Pilot involved 22 school districts and the results varied from fewer discipline problems to better grade and increase scores on TAKS with a summary of the each district involved was given.
Next, the Texas Virtual School Network is online course opportunity that student could access were qualify teacher are not available. According to Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020, the benefits includes but not limited to students could work at their own pace, schedule flexibility, and alternative learning method in number of different course. In addition, professional development is available through here and it help educator complete their require number of hours by the state.
After that, the report analyzed the Star Chart and it showed that 60% of the campuses are at Developing Tech for Teaching and Learning. Also the report showed in 2007-2008, 3,734 campuses were rated at the Developing Tech level for Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support. For Infrastructure for technology, 511 campuses were rated Target in 2007-2008. Finally, there was drop of 20% in Target Tech from 2006 -2008 for Education Preparation and Development.
At the end of the report, a summary of the services centers were given for each region.

Texas Education Agency (2006). Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020.

Web Conference

The other night was the first time I have been involved in a web conference or anything with a web cam. Thus, I had to go buy a webcam and set it up on my computer. Also, I been involved in other distance learning courses not to long ago and the idea of web conference was great. I like that we were able to interact with one another like helping setting blogs and wiki page. In addition, it was nice that I was able to ask questions during the session and got an immediate answer instead of emailing and waiting. Information about the program and internship was given and I sitting at home in front of my computer was great. However, some of us had some technical difficulties, but I think all in all it went pretty well. Finally, I can not wait until I can do something like this from my classroom.

Infrastructure for Technology

Infrastructure for technology is the setup of the network of computers that students and teachers can access the internet and district servers. Thus, this area is my campus’ greatest strength and we were rated as advance tech. An according to the TEA’s campus statewide summary, 60.2% of Texas schools are at this level and Progress Report on the Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 states that 4370 schools were at this level in 2007-2008 compared to 4130 schools in 2006-2007.
My campus is rated as advance tech because we have 4 to 5 student computers with direct connection to the internet for students to use and every teacher has their own computer too. Also, we have 3 computers labs with about 20 computers in their and another 20 computers in the library for student use. However, next year, we are going to the 1:1 student to computer ratio by giving all the students laptops, which will help us reach the target tech. In addition, every core classroom has interactive whiteboard with a projector to use to enhance student instruction. Finally, all our classroom including the temporary building have access to district server and file/print sharing for student and teacher uses.
Finally, to improve in this area, we need more help from the state and district personnel. First, we need additional funding to help us equip all the classrooms in the school with interactive whiteboards and projectors. Also, we need the district to help better budget the money to give the school money more.

Texas Education Agency (2006). Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020. http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/technology/etac/LRPToct06.pdf (accessed April 24, 2010).
http://starchart.esc12.net/docs/campusSWSummarybyKA20082009.pdf (accessed April 24, 2010).