It was been an enlightening last few weeks of exploration with Digital Video Editing. Every year new issues and challenges arise. I seem to remember NEVER having issues when we used the old digital recorders with iMovie software!
While flip cameras do offer a fast and simple way to put together videos using flip software, the proprietary nature of the tool requires a bit more practice and experience when combining the flip captured videos with Windows Movie Maker. The challenges experienced during the practice videos were varied. Some issues could easily be resolved:
1. Save the flip video clips locally on the computer to be used during the editing process.
2. Complete all three steps of the video process: import videos, edit clips, Finish movie (the rendering stage in which all the pieces are put together, compressed, and made into a .wmv file.
3. Save the project file when you first open Windows Movie Maker, and SAVE FREQUENTLY!
4. Be sure that all pieces to be imported (video, pictures, music) are saved in the same place locally on the computer where the project file. Files saved on flash drives or on the Flip video and then imported into Movie maker itself may appear to be imported. However, as you work with these files you will notice the BIG RED X that eventually takes over your 'imported' clip. Panic ensues!
5. Consider--Are the clip formats compatible with Movie Maker? Flip creates .avi files. For importing purposes it is important that you choose to import the correct file format from the drop down list.
Other issues remain a mystery. Can Movie Maker only handle a certain amount of imported material and then starts replacing perfectly edited clips with the BIG RED X? Could it be that out of all the computers that could be chosen, Group N used the computer that simply wouldn't play fair?
These mysteries make the process of Non-Linear Editing particularly frustrating for use with K-12 students but most likely can be resolved by proper implementation planning (i.e. testing out the equipment that will actually be used).
Lori Rothman, a 1012 Loudoun cohort ITSer, developed a cheat sheet for using Windows Movie Maker that is quite useful. She actually created the document as part of her Desktop Publishing project last summer. She graciously shared her document with me and I will be sure to send all 1012 ITSers a copy.
After I introduce DV editing and ITSers have had the opportunity to explore the use of the tool, I always make a list things to consider for next year. On my list this year:
1. Explore other video camera options. Any suggestions?
2. Require certain elements to be included in the practice video to provide practice in editing and creating a movie with a variety of media: images, free published video clips, free audio, free music, other .....
3. Possibly having one group create the treatment and the script and pass it off to another group to actually film. I think this would work well in Semester 2 with the video joke assignment since ITSers do not have as much invested in the content as they do during the Advocacy project.
Any other considerations?
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Connections: Teacher Leadership and Portfolios
In keeping with the ITS Semester 5 assignment schedule, it is time for me to post to my blog. Yes, it is supposed to be on Blogs and Wikis, but I didn't even post my Semester 5 intro blog....so now I'm backtracking a bit (for those of you repeating my 5 rules for participating in Web 2.0 ITS activities, do as I say not as I do) and count this as my intro post for the Semester.
Since this semester not only focuses on Web 2.0 tools but also on teacher leadership, I thought I would share two teacher leadership moments which clearly are the result of teacher leader actions influenced by learning in the ITS program.
The first ITS teacher leader action came to light on Tuesday, February 14, 2012, when our Loudoun cohort ITSer, Lucy Shoop, spoke to the LCPS School board about the proposed cuts in the fiscal 2013 budget adopted Feb. 7. The Foreign Language in Elementary School program (FLES) was a major target of cuts, costing 35 current full-time employees their jobs. As reported in yesterday's LoudounTime.com, Lucy, a FLES teacher gave the school board a dose of ITS :
What is the goal of education? I think we can all come up with different statements of what we think the goal is for education. But, I think we can also agree that the goal of education is to create an educated person... If you’re not able to speak another language that is necessary in your community you are not going to get a job. If there are two people applying for a job and one speaks the language of the community and the other only speaks the native language of the country, the one that speaks the language of the community is going to get the job. We have a responsibility in Loudoun County Public Schools to prepare our students to not only obtain jobs in our community, but in the world.
In another moment, Fairfax cohort ITSer, Amy Bolvari, educated the Epals community about the 'worth it' value of her lesson, which led her students to be chosen as 1 of 10 global winners in the Smithsonian Institute's Invention Challenge:
The authentic nature of this project engaged students and integrated their learning. They had to access prior knowledge of simple machines in order to complete the project. By using multiple forms of media, the students were able to showcase their knowledge in a fun and meaningful way.
Add these actions to your list of teacher leader roles: advocate, ITS evangelist- whatever you want to call them
In both of these teacher leadership moments, the connection to ITS concepts is evident. What terrific portfolio reflections! I know that each and everyday ITSers are walking the walk. As the connections between the ITS semesters are becoming more apparent, you are all most likely talking the talk with students, parents, colleagues, and administrators. The time has come for talking the talk to be translated into written reflections. Be very conscious of your conversations with others. Chances are you are writing brilliant reflections all day long!
Since this semester not only focuses on Web 2.0 tools but also on teacher leadership, I thought I would share two teacher leadership moments which clearly are the result of teacher leader actions influenced by learning in the ITS program.
The first ITS teacher leader action came to light on Tuesday, February 14, 2012, when our Loudoun cohort ITSer, Lucy Shoop, spoke to the LCPS School board about the proposed cuts in the fiscal 2013 budget adopted Feb. 7. The Foreign Language in Elementary School program (FLES) was a major target of cuts, costing 35 current full-time employees their jobs. As reported in yesterday's LoudounTime.com, Lucy, a FLES teacher gave the school board a dose of ITS :
What is the goal of education? I think we can all come up with different statements of what we think the goal is for education. But, I think we can also agree that the goal of education is to create an educated person... If you’re not able to speak another language that is necessary in your community you are not going to get a job. If there are two people applying for a job and one speaks the language of the community and the other only speaks the native language of the country, the one that speaks the language of the community is going to get the job. We have a responsibility in Loudoun County Public Schools to prepare our students to not only obtain jobs in our community, but in the world.
In another moment, Fairfax cohort ITSer, Amy Bolvari, educated the Epals community about the 'worth it' value of her lesson, which led her students to be chosen as 1 of 10 global winners in the Smithsonian Institute's Invention Challenge:
The authentic nature of this project engaged students and integrated their learning. They had to access prior knowledge of simple machines in order to complete the project. By using multiple forms of media, the students were able to showcase their knowledge in a fun and meaningful way.
Add these actions to your list of teacher leader roles: advocate, ITS evangelist- whatever you want to call them
In both of these teacher leadership moments, the connection to ITS concepts is evident. What terrific portfolio reflections! I know that each and everyday ITSers are walking the walk. As the connections between the ITS semesters are becoming more apparent, you are all most likely talking the talk with students, parents, colleagues, and administrators. The time has come for talking the talk to be translated into written reflections. Be very conscious of your conversations with others. Chances are you are writing brilliant reflections all day long!
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