Challenger Learning Center - Final Video

Here is my final video.  I had a lot of fun creating it, although in the process I wish I had better equipment. The camera work was done with a Flip video camera and the video was created using Windows Live Movie Maker. One thing I found very frustrating that I had not necessarily encountered when creating my smaller videos was as I added music/sound in the Windows Live Movie Maker, it would move all of the other sounds I had added.  Same thing happened when I changed or edited a video. The same thing happened with some of my text as well.  Other then that, I am amazed at what I was able to accomplish.

When I try to upload the video directly through Blogger, it crashes, so here is the YouTube video link:

http://youtu.be/Hq2_P_P5rQ0

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Once again, it seems like this Chapter would have been more useful to read during the week where we had to create a Mash Up considering it is about Copyright.

I think copyright is an issue in many situations, not just digital storytelling.  Think about it, how many times have you used a picture or a song for a report that you found on the internet.  One thing stated in the book was to ask your students" If you were trying to make a living as a musician, how would you react if someone downloaded rather than bought your music?".  My question is, what if I did buy the song/picture/media that I am using in a project.  I'm still giving royalties to the creator and therefor am not stealing anything.  I guess this is where Fair Use would come into play especially for students and use in the classroom.

The TEACH Act caught my attention and I thought I would do a little more research on it after reading this chapter.  I found this: http://www.copyright.com/Services/copyrightoncampus/basics/teach.html when I did a quick google search which seems to layout the TEACH Act pretty nicely. I think this Act will greatly help in the use of copyrighted materials in education including what is shown in the classroom and students assignments.

One word of advice at the end of the chapter, I thought, was very sound advice, "be perpetually paranoid".  If you are constantly checking on copyright and Fair Use in regards to projects you are creating, or assignments for you students, there is a better chance of you not breaking any laws.  Better safe than sorry! In that case, you also need to make sure your students are aware of copyright and now to make sure they are following the laws.

I also would like to apologize for those that tried to view my storyboard Prezi.  I am still getting used to sharing Prezis and figured that anyone could view it if I made it public and then shared it.  I have now embedded the Prezi, so hopefully you can view it now :)

Final Video Draft

Here is my draft of my final video.  It is a compilation of the video I took during a Challenger Mission which will be the main part of my video.  I will also be adding an introduction to Challenger and interviews including how to register for a mission and the cost.  I would love any feedback; what you liked and what I could add/change. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlwGNWhzOu8

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

This chapter focused on Media Grammar.  Much like when you are speaking or writing, you need to use proper grammar when creating a digital story.  Some of the items are obvious such as using non-blurry pictures, correct lighting and focus on the subject of the story.  You also need to make sure that the images you are using are appropriate for your story.  All images also should be related some how.  

Your audio must also be used correctly whether it be music or voice overs.  Your narrations should be clear and your background music should not be overpowering. The music should be appropriate to the story, for example you wouldn't play death metal when telling a love story.  If you have text in your story, it should be clear and easy to read and the your story should have some sort of flow.

 

I feel like, once again, this chapter would have been more useful to me at the beginning of this class.  For purposes of teaching DST in the classroom, I completely understand why this chapter was place where it was. For our purpose in this class to create digital stories, I need to know what to avoid/how to fix problems in a video before I create it.  Maybe it is a good thing reading it now because as I look back as some of the previous videos I made, I can find mistakes in them that should be corrected.  I now feel a little embarrassed that the work I was really proud of was maybe not so good in the media grammar department.

Chapter 13 & Story Map

Chapter 13

Much of Chapter 13 concentrates on the equipment you can and should use when creating your Digital Stories. What you use doesn't have to be the latest and greatest, it just has to work for what you need. If fact sometimes getting the latest and greatest is not as good because not all of the bugs have been workd out. I found the comment that most people only use 10% of the capabilities their digital camera's have.  Thinking about it, I love to take pictures and I know a few things about my camera, but it can do so much and I should really look into learning more about it.

A few weeks ago, I had issues with the sound of my video.  I know this has to do with the video camera I was using.  I think I may end up having to get a wireless microphone.  If anyone has used a wireless microphone to record sound from a video camera, do you have one you like or could suggest (another point in this chapter, ask what others are using).

I feel like this chapter had a lot of great information in it.  I think it would have been helpful for the chapter would have been earlier in the book.  If feel like we are getting closer to the end of this class and NOW we are being told what to use.  I feel like I now have to rush to get some of these things to be prepared for my final video.

I created a Prezi presentation about my story map. You can view it here.

Chapters 11 & 12

Chapters 11 & 12

Chapter 11

The focus of this chapter is that anyone can create a Digital Story.  With the technology available today, free and for pay, there is so much you can do with Digital Story Telling.  When teaching DST there are things teachers need to consider such as their support, do they have the necessary tools, as well as getting parent permission.  They also need to look at how well a DST lesson fits into your curriculum.

The second part of this chapter takes about story planning and development, which I feel is exactly what we went through during our Face -to-Face session on Saturday.  We first created a map, they discussed it with each other getting feedback (peer pitch), create a storyboard (which we will be doing this week) and critique (which will be everyone's comments to our storyboard).  Then we will write and produce our story. These steps are very similar to writing a story or creating any sort of creative piece.

When creating a DST lesson, the teacher needs to take into consideration who their audience is.  Lessons can be adapted to fit your needs whether it be media literacy, telling personal stories or telling academic stories.

Chapter 12

Chapter 12 focuses on on the planning stages of creating a DST. The first step is to determine what media you need, get it and begin creating.  When creating your story, you need to learn how to use your video editing software and basically start creating whether that be adding narration or music to your video or compiling videos and pictures together. 

Once you have created your story, you need to make sure you have a title page and credits.  The credits are the most important part of a story because it is giving credit where credit is due to artists work you used. When creating videos, I have found that dding music and transitions have really made my video seem professional.  I don't think I could ever create a movie without them. When the story is finished, it is important to share you work whether it be with your peers, school community, community in general or posting it somewhere public.  I will say one of my favorite parts of creating a story is actually posting it and seeing all of your comments.

How to Create a Google Site

How to Create a Google Site

This video is a brief tutorial on how to create a Google Site.  I thought it would be helpful for those that still need to create your iMET 15 website. I used screenr and thought it was quite easy to use.  My only complaint is I could only record 5 minutes at a time (lucky for all of you, that means this video is less than 5 min).

Edit: I forgot that I had to create a title page and credits; I also decided to add a little bit of music.  I added them in Windows Live Movie Maker. Hope you enjoy!