PSA+Assessment+Responses



EDLD 5363: Multimedia and Video Technology Final Assessment Responses

**1.** **What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned?** With a title like “Multimedia and Video Technology,” I knew I was in for a hands-on course in which I would have a chance to improve my multimedia skills. I had “dabbled” in movie-making a few times this year as an Elementary Instructional Technology Facilitator. But I had only used a few basic tools. I knew this course would have us create a full-blown project by course’s end. I looked forward to what this course was going to teach me, especially as it was going to be particularly relevant to my current assignment. I must say my expectations were fully met. I learned to combine still photos, video, music, special effects, voice-over narration, etc. to create a complete multimedia project. I have a new-found confidence in my ability to teach others to do the same. Rather than being worried that I may be called on to help someone create multimedia projects, I am ready to share what I have learned as an example of what can be done with students in a classroom. **2.** **To the extent that you achieved the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not?** The assignments in this course were extremely relevant to the work that I do in my school. Prior to this course, I had been called on to create three different movies for the campuses I support. Being a rookie technology facilitator, I had very little experience creating multimedia projects, and I am afraid that was obvious, now that I see what can be done. While I gladly accepted the assignments on the outside, on the inside I was nervous that my lack of experience would show. Having completed this course, I do not plan on waiting to be asked to create multimedia projects. I want to be the one approaching teachers and asking, “How can we work together to help our students reflect on their learning through the creation of a multimedia project?” I am ready to promote multimedia projects as a way to help students find creative ways to share what they have learned. **3.** **What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?** I must admit that I was not expecting the collaboration component of the final project. This turned out to be the most challenging, and unsuccessful part of the course. I worked in a group of three. I work alongside one of my partners frequently, as we are in the same department in the same district. I know him, and I know his work ethic. We have successfully collaborated on many projects in the course of this year. Then we were asked to take on additional partners--people we had never met--and build a collaborative team, a team separated by hundreds of miles. Our new partner was not much of a communicator and was not quick to reply to emails or documents posted on Googledocs. My co-worker and I scripted the PSA, planned the shot list, and did all the filming. Our outside partner volunteered to take on the video-editing role. As I type this, on the last day of this course, I have yet to see what our movie looks like. I see the value of collaboration, and the skills that grow because of a real-world need to work with others. But today I am feeling sorry for the students who always do their part, and then receive grades that are negatively impacted by students who do not contribute as fully. This problem inspires me to find ways to recognize individual contributions to group projects. **4.** **Were you successful in completing the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you?** For the most part, the project was completed successfully. The biggest obstacle was the difficulty communicating with partners. My emails and phone calls went unanswered. After submitting my part of the project, I was left totally out of the loop regarding the final product. I didn't even see the final project until after it was posted on the discussion board. While there was cooperation (we each took a part and did our part well), there was NO collaboration. But it's in the struggles that we learn. I think I could have been a stronger leader in this process, being a little more outspoken about my need to be involved. And as a leader, I'll be sure to keep my coworkers in the loop.

On a positive note, I feel like I learned so much about the process of video production that I will encourage others to have as much fun as I did!  **5.** **What did you learn from this course: about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes?** I have found a new confidence in my ability to create multimedia projects, which inspires me to encourage others to use multimedia projects as a tool to have students creatively share their knowledge about various topics. I have discovered a bit of a perfectionist slant in me. I tend to over-think things and obsess about details that really aren’t that important in the scheme of things. I learned so much more about the multimedia programs in which I had just barely begun to scratch the surface before this class. I look forward to sharing what I have learned in hopes of encouraging others to incorporate multimedia projects into their lessons. These new technology skills will undoubtedly help me in my role as leader of technology on my campuses. As stated in an answer above, rather than waiting to be asked to produce a multimedia project for my campuses, I look forward to soliciting others to use and create multimedia projects in their classrooms.