Final EDLD 5363 Group Video

CONVECTION WHAT?

Action Research Update

My project is basically in two phases.  The first phase is like a trial phase within my department, but it also sets up the entire school to more easily implement the web program into their current lesson plans with little interference of learning the new.

So far it has not gone well as we have come to many road blocks.  The total current collaboration has probably accumulated to 10 hours.  I discussed my idea at our Science department meeting, and then created a cheat sheet to have my department colleagues have their students create accounts during their computer lab time.  Based off of their schedule it took a week for them to do so.  Since every student has a science class we got the majority of the class into the Edmodo.com.  This is where my project came to halt.  Our lesson plans were altered do to us seeing our students struggling with some concepts and therefore we didn’t proceed and decided to re-teach the concepts, and then tested later.  I’m hoping, since we’ll have more time at the beginning of the 2^nd semester that we can implement a project through Edmodo for our next grading period.

The majority of my learning is having to still be flexible and make room for time adjustments.  It seems to be that we are constantly strained, especially to implement anything new.  Instead of moving on with lessons, we are constantly teaching and re-teaching.   

Although I’m confident in my department, presenting this system to my extended colleagues in the building is quite fearful.  We are on a campus of much newness. We have a new principle that we are still trying to get used to.  We have new grading programs, a data team system that is new to us, and new ways of implement RTI information.  Having to throw another thing at them usually (if history repeats itself) comes with great resistance. 

If anything I may introduce a different program that is similar to Edmodo for Creative Thinking purposes or I may have the campus staff implement this at a later time with a simple assignment within their classroom.  There are still many alternatives to consider and adjustments to make. And I hope to finalize those adjustments during this 2 week holiday break.

When I finally do present it to our entire campus staff, I hope show alternative successes they can implement by using the same students that they teach in a different academic area. 

Web Conference Reflection (12-16-2012)

For this conference, even thought I didn't attend, I was focusing more around my group member's conversation/comments.  We did need clarity on to where and how to post our web reflections.  We also had posted concerns about was considered live video, which was clarified as anything but still pictures.  So our Xtranormal.com video, even though not a live recording, it was still animated and this met the final project requirements.

Web Conference Reflection (11-26-2012)

I know I attended another conference but didn't see the script posted.  I can't remember which one.  Either this conference was similar to the first.  Many people finalizing groups and/or having new people needing a group.  Also there was discussion on what program/software was being used to complete the week 2 assignment and where it was going to be posted.

Web Conference Reflection (11-18-2012)

Had great informative web conference as it was very confusing based off what was being requested with the original information from what was being posted in BlackBoard for week 1.  Fortunately the instructor gives us plenty of flexability of what tools can be used (with the main consideration of we want to use it in schools, so try not utilize an expensive software that most school districts wouldn't want to pay for, and have to train).  I'm one of those that would have loved to use a big expensive production software, but simplicity is key since in the classroom we only have time for simplicity, but flexible enough to allow creative juices to flow.  We did however discuss a few Web 2.0 tools that are free and can be utilized.
We also focused on finalizing groups.  Fortunately we had a couple of members before we started the web conference so I felt more at ease going into the start of this class.

MS MovieMaker Introduction

Below is an Introduction to Microsoft MovieMaker and its beginner features: