5363+Reflections



Outcomes...

This multimedia and video technology class was a highly anticipated one for me. I was hoping to learn new skills and insight into not only creating multimedia projects, but how to effectively incorporate them into my classroom. I was not disappointed! I have stuffed my toolbag to the brim with new tools and ideas and plan to spend the remainder of my summer working on projects that can be used in class, along with project ideas for my students to create throughout the year.

I have a newfound respect for the idea of collaboration and all it entails. It is not just coming to an agreement about what you are doing, but building on each other's steps as you make your way to the end of your journey. I knew that part of our technology TEKS included collaboration for students, but until now did not understand how to make it effective. This course really brought that aspect to life for me.

Relevance...

I am the only science teacher on a team that includes GT, inclusion, and ELL groups. My classroom must provide for all levels of learners and their various learning styles. I must be able to enrich at the same time I am modifying. I will be able to use what I have learned in this course to make the informational part of my lessons more interactive and engaging for my students. It will more meet the needs of all of my students than what I have been able to do in the past.

Not only will I be able to apply these skills to my own work, but I am now better prepared to guide and assist my students in their own projects. A deeper understanding of the collaboration process will help me facilitate a more structured, and thus productive, work time for my groups. In the past, planning has only been a small piece of my guidelines for projects. I now see the benefits of a more structured process in respect to the final outcome and have many new ideas for teaching the process.

Regrets...

There are few regrets on accomplishments for this course. There are only two things that I found discouraging. One was the time constraints of the course itself, but I knew this would be a challenge from the very beginning. I tend to put a lot on myself when it comes to work that will be seen by others. I tell my students all the time that sometimes the only thing someone will ever know about you is the piece of work they see in front of them, so make a good impression the first and only time they judge you. My high expectations for my own work are often hard to meet with the short time allowed in 5 weeks.

I would also like to have had more time to explore more options in software for editing. This, however, is something I plan to continue to do throughout the summer. I now know more about the process, so this may actually be a more productive way to look at what is available. Since I now have a better idea of what can be done, I will be able to better judge what is available.

Success...

I was successful in completing classwork, although at first I wasn't sure how I would be able. After the loss of my father-in-law early in the course, I was sure I would not be able to be productive. This class, however, gave me something else to concentrate on and channel my energies. I am grateful for having this outlet.

At one point, I became discouraged during the production phase because of talent who cancelled, uncertainty of being able to use them, and the drama they wanted to create, but we luckily planned back-ups. I admit that it would have been so much easier to plan something that did not involve other people, but we were determined to make this work... and we did.

Revelations...

I discovered that working together is not just about agreement. You have to be able to trust that others will "make you look good," as Randy Nelson (2008) said so well in his video. Knowing that your outcome is in the hands of others takes a lot of trust, and hope that they have the same high expectations. This was, luckily, something we all had in common on my team.

I also realized that I am more comfortable with new technology than some. I have no problem jumping in and teaching myself as I go. This is a quality that has made it easy to be flexible with others wanting to use different products or ways of working with something. It also makes troubleshooting one of my strengths. I am always determined to find a way to make something work. That is the same thing, however, that often makes it hard for me to let go and move on at times.

I have found that I like to share leadership roles, with each person playing to their strengths. It is difficult for me to completely take charge of something, especially if I feel there is someone more qualified. Because of this, I may take the lead, but usually defer to the expert when needed. I think this will be an asset later rather than a weakness. I know my limits, and I'm not afraid to admit them.

Nelson, R. (2008). Learning and working in the collaborative age: A new model for the workplace. Edutopia. Retrieved July 5, 2009, from http://www.edutopia.org/randy-nelson-school-to-career-video.