Evaluation Past, New, and Future Learning

Reflections on Video Editing

The science teacher doing video editing – this is unheard of! In my experience as a teacher, video editing was something done by the “computer people” or the communications department. I teach science. However, many times while showing students a purchased power point or video I have found parts that I thought could have been done better or just individualized for my students. I have thought of examples that could have been used so that students could relate the concept to their own lives. Of course the thought quickly left my mind because remember, I teach science.

In the past two weeks I have been exposed to a new world – video editing. A scary world until I read the statement by Andrew Garrison, “If you don’t know ask someone. Life offers special bonus points for asking questions and not pretending knowledge.” (p.1) With this encouraging thought, I completed my personal digital story. I felt such pride that I could put something together like this. I now have been introduced to a new tool that allows me to edit a video that I create. When looking for images to practice on I typed in galaxies. I started manipulating the images and my mind was racing with ideas of putting together a video for my students. I found myself wanted to hurry through the assignment so I could start my own video to share with my students.

Video editing will impact future lifelong learning for me and my students. Kids love media! It engages them and it is how they learn.  I now have the autonomy to create what is needed for my students and make it specific to their needs. Students have asked me when showing them a slide show or some form of media, “Ms. Brawner, did you make that?” The answer now will be yes, remember I teach science.

Garrison, Andrew. (1999, Winter).Video basics and production projects for the classroom. Center of Media Literacy. Retrieved November 24, 2011, from http://www.medialt.org/reading_room/article3.html

Web Conference

I attended the web conference on November 23rd and November 26th. I really enjoyed the Saturday morning conference because I am a morning person and everything seemed clearer. I am sure this has to do with the fact that I had not taught 108 eighth graders all day and was not mentally and physically exhausted. Dr. Abernathy broke down the assignment clearly and answered questions. One very helpful piece of information came from a student that had used podbean to post her podcast. Today as I struggled trying to use You Tube I remembered the comment and was successful posting to podbean.

EDLD 5363 Web Conference

I attended the web conference on November 13th and 14th. We had better audio than before and that was most helpful. Dr. Abernathy discussed the class assignment and answered many questions. It is very frustrating when we lose audio but collectively the web conferences are very helpful. It is reassuring to know that other students are struggling with time, instructions, and technology so I know I am not alone.

EDLD 5363

Personal Digital Story

This week's assignment  to create a personal digital story was challenging for me as I am still new to technology but also helpful. We were to work collaborative with a team to interview each other and offer suggestions. I am most grateful to my team for helping me along with the technology part of the project. I have a great team!
 Putting together a personal story was a bit daunting to me at first as I am a private person. However, I found it therapeutic for me to discuss a major change in my life and be supported and encouraged by the team.

5301 Reflections

Research is good! As I look back on the past five weeks I have learned the importance of reflection, the importance of research, and the importance of being practical.

The importance of reflection is essential for improvement. As a classroom teacher I am always questioning lessons, assessment methods and student achievement. The action research plan has given me a clear step-by-step method to take these questions and make a plan for change. How else can you go forward if you don’t take the time to look back and see what is working and what isn’t working? Taking the time to reflect is necessary for improvement. In the book, School Leader Internship, it is stated, “Experts take action and make adjustments as they go.” (p.104)  We must reflect in order to adjust and become experts.

This class has changed my mind about the importance of research. I went through school at a time when a “research paper” was a dreaded assignment and often not much gained from the work except a grade.  Dr. Arterbury explained during a lecture that a research paper is not research. He continued to explain that only when something new is added to selected literature does it become research. Asking new questions with the anticipation of new answers on an old topic begins research. This makes sense because now the research serves a purpose and can be a catalyst for change.

Finally, I learned to be practical. As a veteran teacher I have many times been given a new “change the world” education program and most often was left thinking this has nothing to do with my school, my students, or my concerns. Consequently when I had an area of concern I would revert to searching for a “change the world” solution when what I needed to do was be practical. In the interview with Dr. Kirk Lewis, he advises students conducting an action research plan to make it practical. In addition, he recommended addressing your areas of concerns that will directly influence instruction in your classroom.

In order to improve student achievement in our schools we must reflect to see what is working and what isn’t working, implement research to make a change, and keep it practical. With the action research plan I will become a better teacher and increase student learning. What a compliment to the developers of the action research plan.

Martin, Gary & Wright, William & Danzig, Arnold & Flanary, Richard & Brown, Fred (2005). School Leader Internship, 2^nd edition. Larchmont, NY: Eye On Education Press.