June 9 Blog number 12 YEH!

I have finally finished the survey and the Unit disposition rubric. I also finished writing my prototype pilot analysis. I discovered several changes that I will make when I create the DVD’s for my masters project. The analysis of the test results was interesting, and helped me focus on ways to improve the next project. I am glad that I will have the summer to read the two beginning Video books that I bought and will have time to practice before I begin the final projects. One thing I did realize while analyzing the project is that much of the learning of the students comes with practicing for the actual production of the video. I will not be doing a lot of preproduction during the summer, because I do not want to take these learning opportunities away from the students. I will however, get all of the scripts written and props created to make the process easier during the year. I will also get all of the power points that will be used fine-tuned over the summer. I am the most amazed at how much the writing of the literature review assisted me in making the project better. I will be working during the summer on adding to the literature review and adding to my master’s project. No time to get bored. Good luck everyone. See you on the 12^th.

June 4

Well I finished my prototype and the testing. I found a lot of little changes that need to be made, but over all it went nicely. The students did make growth and I guess that is what it is about. I did discover why it is important to test things out though. Things that may seem good in your mind, sometimes come out different. It is also nice to have another set of eyes on your project. I used sound spelling cards and realized, after a child informed me, that it was the letter I wanted, but not the sound. The students really enjoyed the DVD. I also got some great feedback from the two teachers who viewed it with their classes.

I spent the weekend working on the sample that I will demonstrate in class on the 12th and I am now in the process of finishing up my final paper on the prototype and the results of the entire process. See you all on the 12th.

May 28

Well thank goodness for a day when I didn't have to go in to work. I didn't get a break, but I did manage to finish the DVD, so that I can begin testing it tomorrow. I already know several areas that I will begin working on, but I have to keep reminding myself this is a prototype and not a final product. I will begin testing tomorrow. I have selected three students who fit the category that the DVD was designed for. I also have three teachers who will be viewing the DVD and giving me feedback on it. I have created my own storyboard, but will need to get some clarification on how to use the model that is on the blackboard. It doesn't seem to fit my learning style.

I spent several hours editing my literature review. It is just so unnatural to not capitalize the title. I was sure that I had checked that part, but I guess I didn't. I spend every teaching day trying to get students to remember to capitalize the title and now I need to remember not to capitalize it. I am glad students do not use APA while they are having to take the CST.

I also revised my Masters application and have placed it on the blackboard. I am exhausted and it seems like all the letters on the page look the same.

May 20

I have finally completed the IRB. What a chore. I think that should be a class all by itself, but I am sure glad that it is over. Last week was crazy stacked for me; I am surprised I was able to fit in the IRB training. I finally put on this year’s School Play Wagon’s West. I am responsible for the total thing, (costumes, videoing, etc.) because it is my dream and not necessarily supported by the NCLB attitude at my school right now. Monday was a dress rehearsal, Tuesday class, Wednesday the evening parents show, and Thursday the school show. Then class again Thursday night. I feel like this week is going to be restful…..yeh right. I have begun filming on my prototype. I typed up the plan and wrote the scripts. I passed the scripts out today to the lead students as teachers. I filmed the students doing the spelling words and the summary part today. I will begin filming the other sections tomorrow and Wednesday. The final videoing will be on Thursday Morning. I completed the power points that will be included in the video and thanks so much to Brian for telling me about Camtasia Studio, I am able to place them in my DVD in a more professional manner. I spent about 4 hours on Sunday learning how to use Camtasia and playing around with it. Thanks to Monday being a holiday, I will be able to finish editing and compiling the DVD this weekend. The test will be conducted next week. I have selected 3 at-risk students who will be staying after school to use the program and I will be able to observe them while they use the product. Now I just need to finish the second part of the IRB tonight and then go to work on finishing up my prototype.

I have been collecting my articles. I bought three notebooks and I have been dividing the articles up with the note cards in each section. This is not necessarily the perfect way to do it because I am finding that sometimes an article covers both questions. I have gone back to articles, taken notes and then placed the notes in the appropriate notebook. This is way more work than I ever imagined. I am really enjoying it, but I am certainly glad that I will have the summer time to work on it more before I have to turn in the final project. I think it is really good that we started early doing this, so we can get good feedback before the final product. The one thing I was amazed at is discovering how much I have learned since my first class. In ETEC 500 I had to write a summary of Rapid Prototyping and I was clueless of what it was about. This time I reread the same article and it made great sense. I guess no matter what age you are learning something the same strategies apply. When you hear new information over and over you can finally manage to understand it.

Week Five Working on Lit Review

I have spent the past week collecting articles. I now have great articles in most areas. I am having a problem finding articles on how to make a good DVD, or Video techniques. All I have found is written in programs that I need to buy.

I am organizing the articles into the three sections. I bought separate notebooks for each section and color coded note cards. I take the notes and put them in the appropriate notebook. I have begun writing section one. This takes hours. I try sitting outside in the fresh air and sunlight to do my reading and note taking, otherwise I would feel like I am in a cave, or becoming a recluse.

I did check on a program that Brian recommended called Camtasia. I wrote to them to see if this was a program that would allow me to save the PowerPoint presentations in my Arcsoft DVD program and they responded that it should work. I then researched the IMAC with Final Cut. I won’t be able to get it before the summer, but I will probably try and get it this summer for my final project.

It is almost impossible for me to write now due to a sudden death in the family. Hopefully, I will be able to pull it together to finish everything by next Tuesday. It is just so hard to focus.