EDET 603 Course Portfolio
Shelby Simmons
MAT Elementary Education
Applying for: M.Ed. Education Technology
Parent Involvement Coordinator
Colleton County School District
EDET 603, Fall 2011
Graphics Project
In the third graphics project for this course, I used two different web-based graphics editors to alter a creative commons image. This represented a change from using paint.net or GIMP for pc-based graphics editing and was much easier to do due to intuitive controls and tools in the online apps.
Audio Activities Project
Using Audacity, I created an audio introduction to embed into the Colleton County School District Title I Parent Involvement Website.
Video Activities Project
Using the online video editor and slideshow maker kizoa, I created a colorful video about plant and animal life on earth that included copyright free music and creative commons images.
Web Activity 2
Using Kompozer, I created a 3 page website that provides professional development resources to the Parent Involvement Facilitators at each of the Title I schools in the Colleton County School District.
Tool Shed Project
The ToolShed Project gave me the opportunity to research and test ten different web 2.0 apps and then review them for use by education professionals. I was able to use several of the apps for work and personal applications.
Teach-A-Lesson: Weebly
Weebly is a web 2.0 website designer that allows for five minute website creation, as demonstrated in my Teach-A-Lesson project. Multimedia integration is included, sample website: http://ccsdtitle1.org
Final Multimedia Project
Using Audacity and Windows Movie Maker, I created a Public Service Announcement for the Colleton County School District's Title I Parent Involvement Program. Music by Capers Simmons, pictures property of CCSD and Creative Commons.
View: Graphics - Audio - Video - Web - ToolShed - Teach a Lesson - Final Project
Reflection:
My course portfolio for EDET 603 contains evidence of the ability to manipulate data into communications media. Beginning with the Graphics Project, I began to explore a variety of applications for editing and creating graphics for use primarily online. This project forced me to take a second look at GIMP and introduced me to SumoPaint, both of which have some positive features and provide a wealth of tools that allow you to craft a unique message or image. The process of explaining the steps take to create a finished project coupled with reflection on the process was a great opening to the educational technology coursework and the series of assignments in EDET 603. I have never considered myself to be an artist, so the ability to access and modify creative commons materials ore create my own is very useful, albeit challenging from a technical perspective.
The audio project built on the graphics project and helped me to think of the course and the course content as being integrated into my personal and work life. That realization prompted me to look for connections among the new skills and tools I was acquiring, and look for useful applications of the project so that the time spent on each effort was doubly rewarding. For short clips of audio, I have found that I prefer to try to get everything right on one take, rather than laying and editing multiple tracks, but being able to do both opens up many more options, especially for educational implementations.
The video projects tapped into my secret affection for scrapbooking and storytelling. While I would have liked to use iMovie because I have seen some excellent products created using templates in that program, Windows Movie Maker and Kizoa helped me produce products I was happy with and eventually my Final Multimedia Project as well. Having worked in video production for school news shows, the idea of putting together a project was not daunting, but creating or collecting content was a new experience. Also, since I have only used Movie Maker for personal photo stories in the past, trying to stay copyright free was a challenge!
The web activity was also an opportunity to combine work activities with school activities and even foreshadow a possible future activity. My website was designed to be the start of a professional development site that provided instruction in technical skills for school Parent Involvement Facilitators who are typically highly inexperienced with technology and very busy. I mimicked the design of my school district’s website and adapted web style guide principles into the design of the site as well. Since I have become comfortable with other web editing programs, like Coffee Cup and Weebly, using Kompozer was a challenge; every menu and tool seemed “not quite right” like the first few minutes in a parallel universe, as portrayed in Star Trek, Sliders, and many other Sci-Fi shows. I am really looking forward to learning more about web design and online instruction in future course work.
The Tool Shed activity gave me an opportunity to explore the internet and essentially the World Wide Web, “What have you done for me lately?” Fortunately programmers all over the world have ‘asked not what the internet can do for them, but what they can do for the internet’! Of course, this is how I discovered Weebly and Tweetdeck, both of which I use for work and personal applications. Moreover, this project gave me to opportunity to begin to think critically about applications and objectively evaluate them as I might as a technology director or manager for a school or school district.
The teach-a-lesson project took me back to actually teaching others, which is always one of the best ways to cement your own learning. I chose to give instruction on website and webpage development using Weebly, one of the web 2.0 apps from my toolshed project. Explaining any complex idea or action in five minutes is difficult and I did experience some frustration in recording my video, but as I was also taking EDET 746 and have experience planning instruction, I was able to draw upon those resources to reevaluate my project, the context and goals and complete a project I was satisfied with.
Coming up with ideas about what to do next and how best to communicate your personal vision is one of the greatest challenges of this course, in my opinion. The Final Multimedia Project asked me to generate and communicate a message and again I drew on my professional interests for content and developed a PSA. While not as brilliant or memorable as “This is your brain on drugs, any questions?” or one of the most popular commercials in my youth, “If you don’t get help at Charter, please, get help somewhere,” I am proud of the final product and look forward to hearing feedback about it from workmates and my student interns.
One of the major lessons I learned is to never underestimate a course, I learned much more than I thought I would from this course and the manner of instruction. I truly enjoyed this class because I had increased responsibility for constructing my own understanding and was able to adapt and apply skills, tools, and prior knowledge in new and different ways, especially when compared with courses in previous degree programs. Finally, completion of each project reinforced my enjoyment of and interest in technology implementation; I have grown as a person, a student, and a professional.
Click to View: - Graphics - Audio - Video - Web - ToolShed - Teach a Lesson - Final Project
MAT Elementary Education
Applying for: M.Ed. Education Technology
Parent Involvement Coordinator
Colleton County School District
EDET 603, Fall 2011
Graphics Project
In the third graphics project for this course, I used two different web-based graphics editors to alter a creative commons image. This represented a change from using paint.net or GIMP for pc-based graphics editing and was much easier to do due to intuitive controls and tools in the online apps.
Audio Activities Project
Using Audacity, I created an audio introduction to embed into the Colleton County School District Title I Parent Involvement Website.
Video Activities Project
Using the online video editor and slideshow maker kizoa, I created a colorful video about plant and animal life on earth that included copyright free music and creative commons images.
Web Activity 2
Using Kompozer, I created a 3 page website that provides professional development resources to the Parent Involvement Facilitators at each of the Title I schools in the Colleton County School District.
Tool Shed Project
The ToolShed Project gave me the opportunity to research and test ten different web 2.0 apps and then review them for use by education professionals. I was able to use several of the apps for work and personal applications.
Teach-A-Lesson: Weebly
Weebly is a web 2.0 website designer that allows for five minute website creation, as demonstrated in my Teach-A-Lesson project. Multimedia integration is included, sample website: http://ccsdtitle1.org
Final Multimedia Project
Using Audacity and Windows Movie Maker, I created a Public Service Announcement for the Colleton County School District's Title I Parent Involvement Program. Music by Capers Simmons, pictures property of CCSD and Creative Commons.
View: Graphics - Audio - Video - Web - ToolShed - Teach a Lesson - Final Project
Reflection:
My course portfolio for EDET 603 contains evidence of the ability to manipulate data into communications media. Beginning with the Graphics Project, I began to explore a variety of applications for editing and creating graphics for use primarily online. This project forced me to take a second look at GIMP and introduced me to SumoPaint, both of which have some positive features and provide a wealth of tools that allow you to craft a unique message or image. The process of explaining the steps take to create a finished project coupled with reflection on the process was a great opening to the educational technology coursework and the series of assignments in EDET 603. I have never considered myself to be an artist, so the ability to access and modify creative commons materials ore create my own is very useful, albeit challenging from a technical perspective.
The audio project built on the graphics project and helped me to think of the course and the course content as being integrated into my personal and work life. That realization prompted me to look for connections among the new skills and tools I was acquiring, and look for useful applications of the project so that the time spent on each effort was doubly rewarding. For short clips of audio, I have found that I prefer to try to get everything right on one take, rather than laying and editing multiple tracks, but being able to do both opens up many more options, especially for educational implementations.
The video projects tapped into my secret affection for scrapbooking and storytelling. While I would have liked to use iMovie because I have seen some excellent products created using templates in that program, Windows Movie Maker and Kizoa helped me produce products I was happy with and eventually my Final Multimedia Project as well. Having worked in video production for school news shows, the idea of putting together a project was not daunting, but creating or collecting content was a new experience. Also, since I have only used Movie Maker for personal photo stories in the past, trying to stay copyright free was a challenge!
The web activity was also an opportunity to combine work activities with school activities and even foreshadow a possible future activity. My website was designed to be the start of a professional development site that provided instruction in technical skills for school Parent Involvement Facilitators who are typically highly inexperienced with technology and very busy. I mimicked the design of my school district’s website and adapted web style guide principles into the design of the site as well. Since I have become comfortable with other web editing programs, like Coffee Cup and Weebly, using Kompozer was a challenge; every menu and tool seemed “not quite right” like the first few minutes in a parallel universe, as portrayed in Star Trek, Sliders, and many other Sci-Fi shows. I am really looking forward to learning more about web design and online instruction in future course work.
The Tool Shed activity gave me an opportunity to explore the internet and essentially the World Wide Web, “What have you done for me lately?” Fortunately programmers all over the world have ‘asked not what the internet can do for them, but what they can do for the internet’! Of course, this is how I discovered Weebly and Tweetdeck, both of which I use for work and personal applications. Moreover, this project gave me to opportunity to begin to think critically about applications and objectively evaluate them as I might as a technology director or manager for a school or school district.
The teach-a-lesson project took me back to actually teaching others, which is always one of the best ways to cement your own learning. I chose to give instruction on website and webpage development using Weebly, one of the web 2.0 apps from my toolshed project. Explaining any complex idea or action in five minutes is difficult and I did experience some frustration in recording my video, but as I was also taking EDET 746 and have experience planning instruction, I was able to draw upon those resources to reevaluate my project, the context and goals and complete a project I was satisfied with.
Coming up with ideas about what to do next and how best to communicate your personal vision is one of the greatest challenges of this course, in my opinion. The Final Multimedia Project asked me to generate and communicate a message and again I drew on my professional interests for content and developed a PSA. While not as brilliant or memorable as “This is your brain on drugs, any questions?” or one of the most popular commercials in my youth, “If you don’t get help at Charter, please, get help somewhere,” I am proud of the final product and look forward to hearing feedback about it from workmates and my student interns.
One of the major lessons I learned is to never underestimate a course, I learned much more than I thought I would from this course and the manner of instruction. I truly enjoyed this class because I had increased responsibility for constructing my own understanding and was able to adapt and apply skills, tools, and prior knowledge in new and different ways, especially when compared with courses in previous degree programs. Finally, completion of each project reinforced my enjoyment of and interest in technology implementation; I have grown as a person, a student, and a professional.
Click to View: - Graphics - Audio - Video - Web - ToolShed - Teach a Lesson - Final Project