Let’s Explore
I decided to explore
some creativity tools that are well-known however, I personally have never tried/played with
them in much detail besides the obvious functions they are used for and thought
this is the perfect opportunity to see if there is more to them than the known.
With that said I chose the following: YouTube, Skype and Reel Director. Initially,
I felt that these tools may have some type of relation to what you can produce
from each of them. However, after playing around a bit I noticed they have
similarities and differences they I wouldn’t have thought of.
YouTube
We all
have used YouTube at some point. Maybe to watch a new music video, learn how to
fix something on our car or maybe something hilarious was posted that we just
had to see. Well I can say those are the reasons that I would use this site
for. After really examining it’s features I noticed that there is not much more
to this phenomenon than I thought. You have the ability to upload your videos
for the world to see however, the app’s editing features are very basic in my
eyes. It’s a great starting tool to introduce videography to your students or
even give visual tutorials but I don’t see much learning taking place after
those features are used. YouTube will still a great tool used in my class because of it’s popularity and the control features that I have as a teacher. Professionally and personally this is a great tool depending on what your goal
is for your students or yourself.
Skype
I have
used Skype very seldomly during my college days to talk to hometown friends
while I was away and I was curious if the application has changed much since I
last used it. Skype is a tool used to video call/chat anyone that has the app
and a web camera of course. It gives you
the chance to see family members that may be oceans apart or maybe the neighbor
next door. Since the last time I use Skype they have developed the feature of
being able to call land lines and share screens from other individuals. This is
a great aspect for businesses to be able to collaborate and meet without
actually being in the same setting. I do like that you have the options of how
and who you can choose to talk to on this app and for that reason I wouldn’t
choose this as a creativity tool for my students. It’s gives to much free reign
and I wouldn’t feel comfortable about my students safety knowing that they
could talk to whoever whenever. I would like more control with an app like this
(student wise) however, I would use it for myself as a means of talking to
family members that may not be in the same city.
Reel Director
Reel Director
is an application that I have never used before but have heard great things
about. This app brings real video editing features to a mobile platform. It has
features such as importing music from your iPod, add text overlay to clips,
rearrange the order of clips and so much more. I really believe that this may
be something that I allow my students to use in class. Besides the great
features that I just mentioned it’s only $1.99 in the app store. What I love
most is that the students are able to download this on their own mobile devices
and you don’t have to worry about finding iPad's or computers for the students
to do an assignment using this application. Personally, I have no use for it
outside the classroom which gives me an opportunity to learn the features with
my students which is why this is the application I would like to analyze
further in this week’s blog.
Lights,
Camera, Action...
Film plays an important role in our lives and culture, often portraying
meaningful review regarding social issues, personal values, and moral dilemmas.
Thus, film can aid as a influential teaching tool to help youth in developing numerous
character strengths and making positive decisions. In many cases, film can take on the role of
a mirror. It can reflect society and show us life with more focus and clarity.
The characters portrayed help us to fully comprehend what truly motivates us
and what the outcomes of our actions might be depending on the choices that we
make. Films can support us in learning how to understand and critique our
culture, inquiring about who we are, where we may come from, and what we ought
to do. And films can both rouse discussion and create a social impact,
sometimes giving us a specific call to action. With Reel Director you are
giving your students the opportunity to reveal these items through their eyes.
Teaching in a rural area of the city, I notice that my students face
every day challenges that I did not have to encounter growing up. Sometimes, I
do not understand their outlook because we are different in our upbringing so
if I give them a opportunity to show me different things/lessons through their
eyes as an educator I must take the time out to understand it. With Reel Director
I can get the chance to do that with my students still being able to learn and
they won’t realize that with the assignment (whatever it may be) that I am also
learning more about them. The students I teach don’t just trust individuals
freely, you must show yourself worthy first. As educators, we all know that the
best way to teach a child is by first gaining their trust.
Reel Director can enhance both social and emotional learning depending on
the topic. Being that I teach a subject that speaks to the students on a
personal level already I believe that a social and emotional level is the only
way I can place this into my curriculum. My goal as the instructor would be to
analyze the created piece through the student’s standpoint and gain more
personal knowledge. As for the student, their goal would be based on the
creativity of the assignment and how much technological aspects they used
throughout the video.
Reflection
As technology use and aspects increase we must find new and creative
ways to draw our students in. You must always keep the students interested if
you want them t really learn your curriculum and make the best of your lesson.
Most of the students learn by doing hands on activities so being creative and
allowing them to have free/limited reign over their learning is the best
concoction of making sure your students are successful in your classroom.
Until we meet again...
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