EDLD 5363 Week 3

Pre-production of the Public Service Announcement (PSA) required a lot of work on my part.  Due to family emergencies, I had to forgo the project on my own.

How could the PSA be improved? I think an introduction to the rationale behind the reason for this topic would have been helpful and made more sense to someone watching it blindly, without background information.

Copyright for the PSA was secured through CreativeCommons.com. The attributes for the video were designated as: free to copy, distribute, and transmit the work while providing attribution of the work. The work is not for commercial use and it may not be altered in any manner.

EDLD 5363 Week 2

This week’s assignment was to compare two open source video editing software programs. After searching through the web and reading reviews and blogs on a number of programs, I chose Microsoft’s Movie Maker and VideoSpirit Pro.

Window’s Movie Maker came installed on my computer. I found Movie Maker to be very easy to use. Throughout the district, campuses have access to Flip Cameras which are used by teachers and students to create videos for use in a variety of ways, to video announcements and assign projects for students. The features I found to be most beneficial are the drag and drop features. The ease in which one can record a video, import it and add creative features such as transitions and text makes Movie Maker a product that is easy to use and can be used by students who have little or no experience in editing video. According to Desktop-Video-Guide.com, Microsoft Movie Maker is one of the best free video editing software programs available (http://www.desktop-video-guide.com/top-5-free-video-editing-sfotware-review.html).

Editing video utilizing Movie Maker was as easy as 1, 2, 3. The menu located on the right hand side of the screen directed the steps that must be taken to editing video from importing, editing, and finishing the editing process. Each video that is imported is segmented into smaller, more manageable clips and placed into collections. This allows for ease in editing effects and transitions. Movie Maker’s features also allow for the import of pictures, additional video, and the creation of title slides and credits, making the final product a professional piece, one that you would be proud to share.

As a beginner editor of video, I found Microsoft Movie Maker to be user friendly, easy to use and a product that can be utilized in a classroom with little or no introduction. Students will enjoy the multiple features such as adding effects, slide transitions, and audio editing that is offered with Movie Maker.

The second piece of software that I reviewed was VideoSpirit Pro. Once the program was downloaded, it required me to download K-Lite Codec Pack, Real Alternative, and QuickTime Player. Importing video into VideoSpirit was confusing. If the video was not in .visprj format, it had to be converted. VideoSpirit has a built in converter which is a nice feature of the program. The help files are written with step-by-step directions as well as with screen shots. The program has the capacity to convert a multitude of video types, depending on the platform you are going upload the video to.

The editing features were a bit confusing. As with MovieMaker’s 1, 2, 3 set of instructions made visible on the left-hand side of the screen, I found VideoSpirit’s editing process to be a bit tedious. While is provides some of the same features as Movie Maker; transitions, slide effects, editing of audio, these features were not as easy to use as Movie Maker.

As a beginner in the world of editing video, VideoSpirit is a program worth utilizing, but would require more instruction with students than required of Movie Maker. While both programs have features that make them appealing to the general public, my choice is with Movie Maker.

EDLD 5363 Week 1

Week 1 Blog

This week’s assignment was initially a bit intimidating, to create a personal digital story. As I read the week’s readings, my fears diminished somewhat as I looked through the multitude of digital photos I have taken over the past few years, pictures of family events, scenery, work related activities, and some pictures that I categorized as “just pictures.” Using PhotoStory3 also helped in reducing the fear factor of making a video. I have used PhotoStory3 several times to make videos of vacations to share with my family, and as I thought about the assignment. I felt a bit like Rick and the Recipes for Disaster as described by Joe Lambert (p. 31), more photos than I really knew what to do with. The use of the storyboard and the built in features of PhotoStory3 helped to focus the direction I was going to take with my video. I enjoyed this project, and can see how this type of project could be incorporated into the classroom. What better way for students to demonstrate what they have learned than by putting it on film, even digital film.


Lambert, J. (2007, February). Digital storytelling cookbook, 1-30. Story Center. Retrieved April 4, 2009, from http://www.storycenter.org/cookbook.pdf.

Week 2 Reflections

One area of this week's learning was focused on the interviews with three scholars, Dr. Johnny Briseno, Principal, Rancho Isabella Elementary in Angleton ISD; Dr. Timothy Chargois, Director of Research, Planning and Development in Beaumont ISD; and Dr. Kirk Lewis, Superintendent, Pasadena ISD. Each presented action research projects they have participated in but ended the interviews with advice for future leaders. While the interviews provided a wealth of ideas for possible research, the advice given was practical and of great value. The interviews provided a wealth of information and new understanding of action research. Action research, while initially an overwhelming prospect, is now not as daunting an undertaking as was once believed (but still an overwhelming experience). Action research is a tool that will help answer questions that continue to surface, questions aimed at what is best for the student, how can I help my teachers be more effective and efficient in the classroom, and in what areas does my campus need to focus on that will bring about the greatest change in student achievement and success. Action research provides the skills and tools needed to address these questions.

Lessons Learned

I am amazed at all the new technology tools that I have in my arsenal after only five weeks!  My attitude has always been positive in all aspects of my life.  However, it was tested during these past five weeks.  I found myself on an educational roller coaster.  One moment I would be riding high on the excitement of new found information and the next I would be a bit low with the amount of work that needed to be covered.  I am convinced more now than ever that technology integration must be put at the forefront in order for our students to compete globally.  Knowledge of Web 2.0 Tools is no longer adequate; our students must know how to use them in their daily lives prior to heading off to college.  It is my mission to make each teacher understand that technology integration is essential to all lessons and not just a “technology” course.  Students must see the teacher modeling the use of these tools to fully understand their capabilities and incorporate them into their own lives.

Course Assignments

I was successful in carrying out the majority of the course assignments.  The first hurdle was Discussion Board Posts.  All aspects of this assignment were a challenge.  It took the first two weeks for me to find a grove and to demonstrate my understanding of these posts.  The other portions of the assignments were a lot of fun and entailed a lot of new learning.  The assignments themselves were not difficult, however, completing all of them in the allotted time proved to be a challenge.  I frequently found myself still working on Sunday evenings to meet the deadlines.  Time management will be the key to my future success.  I feel like I am better prepared to meet the demands of this program with one course under my belt.  Another factor that came into play was my mother-in-law became very ill during the third week of this course and sadly died on the final week. 

Success of Outcomes

This course exceeded all expected outcomes.  I have taken several opportunities to incorporate my new found knowledge into my own lesson plans as well as share them with my peers.  On a personal level, I found the course very interesting and engaging.  The assignments were challenging.  It was often difficult to find a balance between work, family and school.  Time management is the key to success with an on-line program and I believe that I will be better prepared for future classes.  I was able to attend two web conferences and found the interaction with the instructor and class mates invaluable.  My plan is to attend the web conferences weekly in future classes.   Before this course my knowledge of Web 2.0 Tools was very limited.  I now find myself teaching others about these tools and the endless possibilities that they can provide for our students.  I believe that I can now prepare my students for the future in a way that I could not before.