5363-Video Review & Critique

After watching several videos today at http://videocontest.21centuryconnections.com, I want to have my students create a video project. I have to begin by saying I couldn’t just watch three of those videos. I always enjoy seeing student success, but I found myself genuinely interested in what the students were able to do with technology. As I evaluated these videos using the rubric, I found myself viewing the videos more critically for content rather than entertainment. I feel this exercise was very helpful. My most favorite video was entitled “Digitize” because it was logical and interesting. The information was delivered in such a way to create interest. The video had continuity as well as clever scripting, but some of the scenes needed better transition. I felt like the colors enhanced the presentation and the audio was clear, but some scenes were too dark or light. Close-up shots and media were used effectively although the speaker’s hair was distracting. Some segments could have been framed better and I didn’t see any copyright information. Jargon was used at times, but I really liked the scenes from the engineering academy. Another video I found interesting was “Make Me a Digital Learner”. With a title like that I was expecting so much more. Through the whole video I felt like blame was being placed because she was not a digital learner. The video was well organized and sequenced and the sources were cited. I don’t feel like the supporting information was that compelling. I thought the pacing and timing was excellent with smooth transition even though it used the same transition on most slides. The audio was very loud on the video and only written student communication. I don’t feel the color contributed or hurt the video, but I do think that several clips were very dark. I didn’t notice many graphics or animations, but the camera was focused and mostly well framed. I did feel that this video was slower than the first one resulting in less enthusiasm and generating less interest the longer I watched. The last video I will discuss is entitled “21st Century Tools”. This video is student centered and technology friendly. I was very impressed by the student interaction during this video. I smiled watching the kids smile and have fun. This video shows that learning can be fun. The organization was centered on a song with a catchy tune that I continued to hum after watching it only once. I thought the text, background, colors, and fonts all complimented each other. The purpose was clear and very creatively delivered and kept the viewers attention focused. Several transitions were used throughout the video and the audio focused the viewer on the main idea. The colors were bright enhanced the mood of the video. I think the use of media for this age was exceptional. I feel this video was upbeat and exciting. The best thing about this video was the teamwork of everyone, including the teacher, in the classroom. I bet those kids won’t forget making the video anytime soon. This is a prime example of technology at its finest.

5363--Edutopia video blog

I choose to review the video entitled, “Tech in Real Life: Students See Devices as Tools, Not Toys.” The video can be found on http://www.edutopia.org/ in the video library. Edutopia was founded by George Lucas and is composed of a web site, magazine, and video. Edutopia seeks to find the best practices for educating today’s youth. The web site is easy to use and navigate. The website is current and is supported by the George Lucas Educational Foundation. In the video I reviewed, students were afforded the opportunity to investigate a real life environmental problem using different forms of technology. By allowing students to use technology, more information can be accessed in an interesting way encouraging ownership in learning. Students were allowed to see immediate results by using computers, probes, and other technology in the field. Students who were allowed to investigate using technology showed a significant increase in understanding. In this particular video, students saw first hand mans impact on their environment in their community as they studied water quality. I was really impressed with the quality of the video. By bringing the students into the environment and having them do relevant research, educators are creating the scientists of tomorrow today. This video shows students conducting real research solving real problems. This type of inquiry allows students to solve problems and think critically while developing a passion for learning and working as a team. I would definitely recommend this video to teachers as an example of how to implement inquiry-based teaching. I plan to show this video to the mentees that I am working with this year to emphasize how important relevance is to student learning in the science classroom.

5365-Assignment #3

After listening to Alan November for only five minutes, it was very apparent that we are way behind. I feel so far behind and overwhelmed. I also feel like my hands are tied and there is nothing I can do about it. I know that I am behind the syntax and grammar of Internet searching, but I am very curious how many of my students are also behind. I am going to survey my "digital natives" the first day of class because I really feel challenged by him to find out the web literacy of my students.