Video Madness

By far the most entertaining and fun project I have had all semester.  No offense to Mr. Portacio’s excel lesson, but this was a hell of a lot more fun.  Not only was the lead up the project fun, things like the story boarding and the costume design, but the actual filming was great.  Our group has had moments of disagreement, where we have not seen eye to eye, and it has felt like there is a little tension every once in a while, but this project really brought us all together.  We were all having such a good time with the acting, the filming, the ideas and the story all seemed to be flowing. 

For me personally, this project really let my creativity out.  It was the perfect outlet.  So often we as students are stuck doing the same drab and boring assignments.  This project didn’t even feel like schoolwork.  I know that if I were able to get completely amped on a project for school, my students would be as well.  This type of project can be used in so many ways in the classroom.  I love the idea of the small format or commercial format.  It allows for students to be succinct without boring the audience and themselves.  Having to get ones point across in a matter of minutes instead of hours (when writing a paper) or even with a longer video makes the students really analyze what is most important to the point of their video and what needs to be said most. 

This project gets a A+ in my book, even if I don’t.

Evaluate the Evaluation

So often today we are faced with new and “improved” technology.  It seems as though something new is placed before us on a daily basis.  What we choose to spend out money on or the schools money must be carefully evaluated and analyzed for it reliability, dependability, and functionality.  From audio/video mediums, new software programs, CD-ROMs, and the infinite number of websites that pop up each day, we as teachers need to know what makes something quality and what makes something a waste of time at best and money at worst. 

http://www.evalutech.sreb.org/criteria/index.asp gives us the tools necessary to do just that.  It is a break down and a rubric for what makes something quality.  This run down will allow anyone to look for certain highlights in which products should have.  There is just so much out there that this one stop shop will help anyone, no matter what his or her level of technological expertise, and allow for a simple analysis. 

One of the links titled, “Questions to ask about your technology investment,” is a list of things that we should be asking ourselves when buying new technology for our classrooms.  They are things that we do not always think about when entrenched in the moment of purchase.  As anyone that has ever bought anything knows that that moment can be highly impulsive.  But if we have a list that has been well thought out, and allows ourselves some time to think and be a bit more methodical about the decision without rushing into things, we may come away with a far better product and something that will benefit us that much more.

WIKI WIKI WIKI

Wikis, are they the greatest or worst information source ever conceived?  The jury is still out on that.  The can be a tremendous asset if utilized properly and maintained on a regular basis.  But the problem with them is that a lot of false information can also be uploaded.  My gut instinct towards wikis is that they are an undeniably valuable resource for quick information checks.  But when doing more in-depth analysis or research, it is ALWAYS necessary to cross check any and all information that one comes across via a wiki. 

In all honesty, the reading for this week seemed to be a bit obvious.  E all know that there is a technology gap between schools that have the resources and those that don’t.  Some of the fund raising suggestions were valid, and there is definitely a need for the teachers to be aggressive in and out side of the school administration.  Lacks of financial resources are something that every teacher will have to deal with throughout his or her career.  Unfortunately that is not something that will go away any time soon.  So therefore it is up to the teachers to find additional sources of monies or actual hardware.  Another valid piece of advice given in the article is to be self reflective upon when and how much technology is actually utilized within the classroom.  Technology should eventually be viewed in the same light as books or pencils.  This is how essential they are to modern culture. 

As far as copyright laws are concerned, it is just one more set of rules and regulations that will have to be paid close attention to.  I don’t think that it will affect me very much in the classroom.  But I do feel that I will need to separate my personal views from those that are the actual views.  I may disagree with some things that are law, but that is not for me to present to the class.  I am there to set a good example, the students can make up their own minds without my impute.