Final+Assessment--Course+Reflections

Final Assessment and Course Reflection  1. What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned? //I had hoped to learn to how to edit all the videos I have accumulated over the years and be able to teach students how to do the same. I have tried editing in the past and just couldn't get things to work correctly. When people asked for copies of activities I had videos, the only choice I had was to make a complete copy of the video usually with material I know they weren't interested in watching. I knew that editing couldn' t be that hard, but I didn't have the knowledge of the file formats, language, or how to get started. This class gave me the basics I needed to try again. I found out that I really enjoy the process and even created a video that wasn't assigned just to get more practice. I really learned more than I expected in this course so yes I feel that I achieved these outcomes. The course was well designed to meet these goals.//  2. To the extent that you achieved the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not? //This is a harder question. At this time, I'm not sure how my role will be different in August. Basically my school is being completely designed and I don't really know what I will be doing. In the past two years I have been able to integrate technology into my math classes, and I have been able to create some exciting, engaging lessons. I have also helped other teachers in my building with their technology projects. However, it looks like our DAEP campus will be going to an ISS model, and we will be moving room to room teaching with packets. In other words I may not really be teaching at all, and all our technology won't be used much (if at all). I have an interactive white board in my room, but my room may not be used at all. I hope I will still be able to teach students in engaging ways next year. Also since I'm technology certified, I was hoping to work with some of the elective classes to meet those students' technology requirements. I know it sounds like I am being negative about the coming year, but I'm really not. Last year the behavior was so out of control that I didn't accomplish much teaching and learning anyway. Things have to get better or we are not serving our students at all. I do know that I will keep trying to implement technology whenever I can.//  3. What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them? //I think my audio work is by far my weakest area. My microphone is not adequate so my first two videos have poor sound quality and I really hate the sound of my own voice. I spent more time recording the audio portion of the second assignment than I did on the video editing and still wasn't happy with the results. I also didn't work on the sound editing of our PSA so I ended up creating my own video to practice using Audacity. I should go back and re-edit the sound on my first two videos, but I probably won't have the time to do it. I think time and inexperience are the only reasons I didn't get the audio results that I wanted. However, as with just about everything else--I won't give up trying to do better.// //As far as impacting my teaching, as long as I keep learning, I improve as a teacher. I may not use video editing in my classes in the next year, but I do expect to move into either a campus or district technology position at some point.//

4. Were you successful in completing the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you? //I think I was pretty successful in completing the assignments, but frustration was my constant companion. If it wasn't trying to convert to the correct file format, it was software and computer issues. I don't think I can count the number of times Movie Maker crashed on me. I did learn to save everytime I made a change so I didn't lose as much each time. I really liked doing the Photostory assignment because I did it on my campus and since we will never be the same, I felt it was kind of a tribute to my former principal and what we have been trying to do. However when I watched some of my classmate's pieces, I felt that I didn't reach their level of personality. I did think about doing it on my late father, but I knew it would have been too emotional for me, and I don't have enough pictures of him in later life. The PSA project was probably the most difficult because I had to trust other people who I had never met. I was pleasantly surprised how well we worked together and I think our project is truly a group effort. Yes I got frustrated, yes my computer is too slow, yes Movie Maker crashed over, and over, but I just kept trying to get things right. All in all, I'm proud of my assignments.//

5. What did you learn from this course: about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes? //I learned that I can be a team member, not just a team leader. I learned that I don't always have to be in control and that others have talents that can help me achieve my goals. I learned to be more patient (with my computer and my group members). I learned that my way isn't always the right way. I also learned new skills that I can share with anyone who will listen, and maybe come up with some new ideas for my classes. I think I will continue to grow as a teacher, technologist, and leader, and this class will be a reminder on patience and teamwork.//