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Don't Text, Don't Drive by Alicia Brooks, Laura Hearnsberger, Julie Perez is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

Web Conferencing - Collaborative Opportunity

Web conferencing can be a great way to converse with classmates. The purpose of these meetings are to discuss course assignments and assist those who need help in completing. There have been instances when the assignment directions are not clear. And we get bombarded with revision after revision and are left with questions.

More than any, I have been given great feedback on course work. Collaborating with colleagues give us an opportunity to receive ideas and resources that we may not have received otherwise. Other times, I feel they are nothing more than a meet and greet forum in which colleagues choose to interact and have discussion on personal topics.

Overall, I am glad that we do have an opportunity to discuss course work and share via web conferencing. This had been a great addition in group interaction.

Video Editing Preference

As I reflect on the video editing software applications, I have found that although each have more strengths than weaknesses, selection is based on preference.

I have actually used both applications with somewhat limited success. Let me begin with MovieMaker. I loved that it was so user-friendly and I was able to put together a video within minutes, but became quickly disenchanted. As I began the editing/rendering process, the program faults were exposed.  There was limited features and effects, not much of a selection. It was slow in processing and seem to freeze every time I updated. But I will say this much for this application, it allowed for ease in sharing and saving movie back to DV tape on my camera. It does support most video formats with full quality HD or compressed Flash/cell phone video and those formats that aren't supported can be downloaded to convert to MovieMaker preference of .avi.

So I turned to iMovie, which was very impressive with it's wide variety of effects, transitions, titles and great looking templates. Keep in mind, I had used an earlier version and was very content with it. It was time consuming only because it offered so many features. Then, came the update, not good at all. First, I became frustrated with it's new interface. I asked, "where is everything?' I honestly lost patience and did not explore the program thereafter. I will say that every Apple product as we know is an excellent integrate with other Mac programs. The capabilities it has for green screen effect, picture in picture, music tracks (GarageBand) and creative titles is enough to enjoy the program all together. After processing video, I liked that it allowed you to utilized iDVD and offered an array of templates to input followed by a quick rendering process.

In the end, I would prefer MovieMaker for quick video processing and iMovie for more professional looking videos.

Personal Digital Story

As I reflect on the project this week, I come to realize how important it is for me to keep precious moments alive. I based my video on my husband, who has had a tremendous year receiving accolades that he is well deserving of. I've kept photos but never had the opportunity to develop a video detailing his achievement.

This course has allowed me to do this. It has also given me an opportunity to learn and utilize tools that can help me in the classroom. I will definitely incorporate the Photo Story concept.

Took 8.1 CARE Model: Planning Tool

Identify Concerns that must change (look to the future)

1. Administration support
2. Faculty participation
3. Technical support

Identify Affirmations that must be sustained (look to the present)

1. Teacher collaboration in the form of department/team meetings
2. Utilize "Late Start" meeting times every week for review/discussion
3. Confirmation/Knowledge in the need for change

SMART Recommendations that must be implemented: (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely)

1. There is specific need for technology - integration in content area
2. New technology in campus will help in attaining goal (technology integration)
3. The relevance of technology in content will enable teachers/students tie-in into new innovative ideas and concepts

Evaluate - Specifically and Often

1. Classroom observation
2. Team collaboration/discussion
3. Reflection/Complete assignment projects

Harris, S. Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (2009). Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools

Challenges we must face... but can also use to our advantage!

 The challenges I foresee in implementing my action research study is involving transition. At this point and time, I will have a new principal along with three new assistants. This is actually a new administration team. I recently spoke to one assistant who is remaining and he stated, "as with anything there will be some changes, but we will try and transition with no interruptions." This is probably one of my main concerns because I am not sure if I will receive administration support for my project due to the fact that our campus is desperately trying to reset a weak structure, dealing with compliance issues and low performing standardized testing. This is only one concern amongst others that includes; faculty turnover, participation, timing, lack of resources and implementation. Whew... if that is not enough.

So my plate is full in planning to address the challenges. I will begin by meeting with my site mentor to discuss possible ways we can overcome these concerns and schedule an appointment with my new principal and basically "sell' my project to her. One tool I can use and present is the CARE Model: Planning Tool (Harris, 2009). The information on this form will identify, recommend and evaluate the concerns that need to be addressed. Preparation of an idea is key.

Harris, S., Edmonson, S. & Combs, J. (2009). Examining what we do to improve our schools: 9 steps from analysis to action. Larchmont, N.Y.: Eye on Education.