Blog #15

This class taught me so much about technology. Prior to taking this class, I had no knowledge of the things that I know now such as creating web pages, educational movies, blogs, and such. There is not one thing that I found invaluable from this class. As a teacher, I would like utilize everything that works best for me, especially for my students. I honestly think there was nothing in the class that needs improvement because all the assignments contributed tremendously to my learning experience. This class actually taught me to appreciate technology more than ever. I guess I took technology for granted. Using technology in the classroom not only is beneficial for teachers, but for students as well. Technology enhances the learning experience. Enhancing the learning experience is essential to student success. I am actually excited to see how technology develops within the next couple of years or so.

Blog #13/14

I enjoyed creating our educational video on iMovie. However, I am not familiar with the iMovie features, which was quite a challenge for me. The filming process of movie making is time consuming. However, I believe if one knows how to utilize the features of any given movie-making program, educational movies are easy to create. My group created a movie on energy. My group created a children’s show explaining essential information on energy based on the 3rd grade Science Content Standards. Filming was easy. The problem our group faced was trying to figure out a time where we all can meet. I also think it was difficult to only work with the Macintosh computers on campus. Creating educational movies are beneficial to teachers because educational movies enhance the learning experience. As teachers, it is important to create videos that are engaging and creative. Most importantly, teachers need to make sure their videos address the Content Standards.
The article “Splicing Video into the Writing Process” by Tammy Pandina Scot and Diane Harding describes how creating videos are beneficial to students. Creating videos help students with the writing process. When students create storyboards, scripts, and so forth, they are using similar skills when writing. This article explains what each group had to do when creating their movies. Each group was required to collaborate and create storyboards before filming. “This project has been good for us as teachers. It has been very energizing to see our students become so totally committed to their movie projects,making careful decisions, working together to iron out conflicts, and writing with their audience foremost in their minds. It is equally satisfying to know that we are accomplishing so many learning goals at once: learning content, developing writing skills, expressing creativity, and mastering technology tools” (pg. 31). The good thing about movie making is all the different things are able to learn.