MMP - Final!

Hello!

My MMP project is complete!  There are two elements to my project. 

The first is the presentation.  This would be delivered via a PC to an individual instructor at our school.  It is an audio/visual presentation of the steps needed to use Airdrop on a MacBook or iPad.  I move through the steps pretty quickly in this overview. 

The second part of my MMP is a training module that the instructor can use for practice and future reference.  It is the same slides used in the audio presentation, but it is fully-navigable course.  Instructors can work through it at their own pace to set-up and use Airdrop. 

 

PowerPoint Presentation  (Once you open it, you have to download the presentation to use the navigation buttons).



Reflection:
My learning objectives for this training were:

• Understand how to set-up AirDrop on the iPad.
• Understand how to AirDrop a file to another iPad.
• Understand basic troubleshooting for AirDrop.
• Apply your knowledge by using AirDrop to send a file.

Overall, I feel that I met the objectives for my training.  My training design walks the learner through set-up of AirDrop on the iPad (and MacBook), demonstrates how to send a file, and asks them to apply that knowledge.  The only objective that I overlooked was the "basic troubleshooting".  Though I reference some common issues - such as having difficulty in finding the recipient if their iPad hasn't been named - I don't specifically address troubleshooting or common issues.  Once I started to develop my training, the troubleshooting piece just didn't seem to flow.

I feel that AirDrop is one of those tools that can simplify technology in the classroom.  Rather than sending links to files on their shared drive, or dealing with email file limits, AirDrop allows for a simple file transfer process, which facilitates the use of technology in the classroom.

Following the peer critique of my project, I made several changes.  I changed the overall look and removed the large, distracting headers.  I added navigation buttons at the request of my co-worker, to make it resemble much of the computer-based training that we already have established.  I cut out some information that seemed distracting and tried to highlight key points.  Peer feedback from classmates, co-workers and the Apple online community helped me hone the finer points of the project. 

I learned quite a bit during this process, especially in regards to how technology interacts with each other.  For example, I spent almost as much time figuring out how to display my project on my blog, as I spent creating my project.  I tried work-arounds, I Googled my problem, I attempted several file conversions...and through all of that I learned a lot of what didn't work! 

Through this project, I have created a training module that the instructors at my school can use for initial acquisition of the skill, as well as refresher training.  They can also show the project to their students to assist them with setting up AirDrop. 

I'm not certain what this project will look like 1 year from now.  I expect to it evolve following additional feedback from students and instructors.  I will happily clarify or add additional information, as needed. 

I'm happy with my choice to stay with PowerPoint, even though it's not as glamorous as some other tools.  PowerPoint is well understood among our instructors and it works well with our devices.  Because of government restrictions to what tools and sites we can access, I had concerns about trying to download and embed many other "unauthorized" products.  I have seen too many of them removed without notice and I didn't want to risk losing my project!

Blog Post 8 - Technology Tool Kit

Hello! 

I used the site Pearltrees to showcase my collection of technology-related sites to share with our faculty.  Some of our faculty members already use this tool to collect news sites.  We draw much of our curriculum from real-world news sites, and for some of our tech-savvy instructors, this has been an easy way to document and share their favorite sites. 

http://www.pearltrees.com/hortonec

My technology tool kit is designed for partly for use by foreign language teachers, but my main focus is on our faculty training program.  Much of my focus is on short, reusable, relevant training sessions for our faculty.  The tools I have curated below are simple, intuitive and easy to learn - all of which are a must at our school.

1.  eMaze:  eMaze is an easy-to-use presentation software.  This tool is a great alternative to PowerPoint.  Additionally, it can be used to create professional-looking websites with fun fonts, unique backgrounds and a variety of layouts.  This tool can be used for our train-the-trainer sessions.

2.  iPad:  Official Apple Support:  For our team, this site is a must-have and it is frequently used.  This is basic guidance for Apple products and our staff and faculty are frequent visitors to this site.  Rather than "reinvent the wheel" by re-creating training on Apple products, we often ask our new instructors to review the guidance on Apple's website.  This site is helpful for both our beginner and our advanced instructors. 

3.  Prezi:  This is actually my favorite presentation software!  Easy-to-use, it looks like you have some amazing technical skills and spent hours building a fun, engaging presentation.  The free version limits some of the capabilities, but still allows for the creation of impressive looking presentations.  This site is good for train-the-trainer sessions.

4.  Youtube:  Youtube is an extremely valuable website for accessing training videos.  Just like the Apple website, Youtube has ready-to-go training on Excel functions, PowerPoint tips and tricks, and more advanced skills like audio and video editing.  Youtube's free access to user-generated videos creates a gold mine of experience available to anyone.  This site is good for personal professional development and in-class use.

5.  Screencastomatic:  This simple, intuitive software allows users to create screencasts that they can save and share.  This tool is amazing for showing others how to use both hardware and software products.  The free version offers all of the capabilities needed to create basic screencasts, save them, and share them.  This site is good for train-the-trainer sessions.

6.  My Simple Show:  This software creates short, fun presentations using your text and their graphics.  Though the graphics are limited, this can be an engaging way to explain a concept or present new information.  The free version offers enough options for those looking for a fun introduction to a new topic, or a quick overview of a concept.  This site is great for pre-lesson introductions.

7.  Voki:  This software allows the user to create an avatar and provide it with audio, either through typed text or by using your own voice.  The free version is limited but for a reasonable fee, a variety of options are available.  The avatars are a perfect way to engage students through unique characters.  This site is great for pre-lesson introductions.

8.  Pixabay:  Pixabay is a collection of free images.  This site is perfect for instructors who are nervous about copyright and fair use agreements.  The key here is free, free, free!  This site is great for lesson development.

9.  Adobe Spark: Adobe Spark assists users in creating fun, simple videos and images.  The tool is simple, which makes it easy to learn, but it is also limited due to its simplicity.  This is a fantastic tool for creating simple movies from pictures.  This site is good for lesson development.

10.  Audacity:  Audacity is a well-known tool for editing audio cuts.  It is robust and able to accomplish a variety of tasks, though there is a substantial learning curve for those unfamiliar with audio editing.  This site is good for lesson development.

Week 10 Discussion Post

I'm going a little rogue with this post to discuss something that I am in the thick of right now.  I chose to research and highlight some of the media efforts made by adopted children, often considered a marginalized group in our society. 
My family is in the middle of the adoption process right now.  We have just submitted our Letter of Intent for a 6 year old girl in China - and we couldn't be happier!  But we are also going through hours and hours and hours of training to prepare us for the difficulties of adoption - the ugly side of adoption. 
Adoption is a beautiful story of redemption and family and love.  But it is also a story of loss, grief, trauma, and a loss of identity.  Our soon-to-be daughter was abandoned on the doorsteps of an orphanage when she was 3 days old.  She will always struggle with that history, that part of her story.  And though we have an amazing local community filled with many different cultures and many trans-racial families, I know that she will also struggle to find herself in our world.  She may, like many adoptees, search for ways to address her struggle and find community with those who have similar stories.
Halverson's article talks about "film as medium that affords youth the opportunity to produce narratives of self." (p. 2358)  Adoptees lose much of themselves when they are adopted:  language, friends and caregivers, homeland and even their names.  Film, in particular, gives them a voice.  They are able to discuss their loss, struggles and the issues that they face in a multifaceted medium. 
I found a host of adoption movies created by adult adoptees who wanted to chronicle the stories of their childhood.  Though these were created by adults, they are still attempting to give their younger selves a voice. 
This site offers a fantastic list of movies created by adoptees:  https://harlows-monkey.com/resources/films/. 
For those who aren't producing full-length feature films, Youtube is a fantastic vehicle for youth to express themselves.  A simple search produced countless videos created by teenage adoptees who are yearning for a chance to tell their stories.  Check out these links.  (We actually watched part of the second and third videos during our adoption training sessions!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60R_aPWvHtMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTZwUks_wFE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrHNKC452G4

I love this quote by Halverson:  "My research has shown that the adaptation of individual narratives of personal struggle into scripted scenes for personal performance is a powerful venue for the development of individual's viable social identities." (p. 2356)  Film provides a unique vehicle for describing and displaying a person's full story. 

  

Blog Post #7 - Copyright

Wow!  As much as I usually hate reading "legal-ese" and delving deep into laws, policies and court cases, I found much of this week's topic oddly fascinating. 

First, I started with the article by K. Walsh (http://www.emergingedtech.com/2010/10/understanding-copyright-fair-use-and-creative-commons-as-they-apply-to-education/).  Though I really wanted to wade through her material, I found myself quickly losing interest in the way she had presented the material.  (I really did want to like it - she identified herself as a student in UW-Stout program that I had completed several years ago!)  K. spent a little too long explaining WHY she was writing about copyright laws, and not actually explaining copyright laws.

Moving along, I clicked over to education world's site (http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr280.shtml).  The information presented on this site was comprehensive, easy to read, and succinctly organized.  The site broke the information down into 5 sections, each with a separate link.  (Though I normally HATE being forced to click, then return back to the hompage, then click again....I found that this helped break the information down into digestible chunks).  The webpage had a clean, readable design.  The writing had good flow, and though the topic is rather dull, the writing was succinct and practical enough to induce me to keep reading.  Overall, this is a great resource for educators that provides easy to read information that applies specifically to educators. 

I chose to watch the "Happy Birthday" video on YouTube.  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzbSt0QG7mY&list=PLvzOwE5lWqhTbOCIFp_OxsN6nC-l20kMT&index=3 This is a fantastic example of how audio/video can enliven even the dullest subject matter...but I digress.  Mike Rugnetta explains the history and current status of copyright laws, using the song "Happy Birthday" as an example.  Mike focuses on the changes that have been made to copyright laws throughout the years and the general expansion of the laws.  I would say that this video is best for adults who are just looking for an overview of copyright laws.  It doesn't give specifics, but introduces the subject in an engaging manner. 

For our school, my husband provided a fairly robust overview of copyright laws as they affect our courseware development.  He especially focused on the copyright agreements with other countries, and I was surprised to learn that we do not have copyright agreements with many of the countries that our students work with.  Without a copyright agreement between the USA and that country, we have the ability to use whatever we like. 

Project Update: Air Drop Presentation

Check out my screencast of my project update!  I emailed my slides from my work to my home computer, and the slides didn't transfer well, as you will see in the screencast.  I have posted my slides individually below so that you can see them in the "normal" format.  These slides are essentially a rough draft of the content I want to provide.  I am struggling to decide on a multi-media platform for my content that would truly showcase the material AND be user friendly for my un-tech savvy instructors!  

 

I kept my timeline very simple.  I have completed the training roadmap and training plan and I have developed the PP slides.  I have not developed handouts and I still need to create a multimedia/screencast to showcase the information. 

 

This was my basic training timeline:

Develop a training roadmap.  (1 week)
Outline training plan based on roadmap and objectives.  (2 days)

Develop the PowerPoint slides and any handouts. (1 week)

Create Screencast of the training. (1 day)

Blog #6: Mini Art School

Here is my "Concept in 60" video!  Enjoy!

 

 

And here is my storyboard that I created using "My Simple Show", a free presentation software.  This was a lot of fun to make and I think it really showcases the feel of the training I plan to offer.  I will be supported by PowerPoint slides in the back, and will screencast the training to be able to send it to instructors who are not local.

 

 

 

Blog #5

Hello!

For Assignment #1, I chose two photographs to crop:  a landscape and a cityscape.

 

Original Photograph

Cropped just the tree...



 

 

Here I cropped out the bottom of the picture....

I did a quick mock-up to show what this image might be used for.

 

Here I cropped out the tree and the left side of the picture.

 

Another mock-up to show what the generic scenery may be used for.

This is the original cityscape photograph.

Here I cropped out all greenery.

I created a mock-up using the gray/lifeless photograph, then...

 Using a different section of the same photograph and slightly altering the color saturation, I create a much friendlier looking picture of city life.

For this selection, I cropped out the center section of the road.

And created a mock-up using this picture.  

 Last picture - I cropped just the window.

 

PART 2

 

This was without a doubt the most enjoyable project for me so far.  I chose to design two book covers.  The assignment asked me to create two book covers using the title, "Flirting with the Bully". 

 

 

First - I went with a horror theme.  I used a flirty, delicate font to juxtapose the harsh background and unsettling image.  I positioned my fonts to act as a sort of frame for the image. 

 

 

 

 

Here's the second cover (and I added a back cover!)  For this cover, I was going for Fantasy/Dark Fairy Tale theme.  I used two different woods pictures to highlight the image against the background.  I tried to choose a whimsical font that wasn't too princess-y.  Enjoy!