My Spring 2009 Creative Learning Experience

I consider this assignment the most difficult. After reading the assignment, and before I started working on the project, I thought it was going to be one of the easiest of all the assignments. But this project has been the most time consuming, and I must admit that without the help of my peer Vicky, I would have been completely lost. However, following the completion of the project I was appreciative of the learning experience because I am planning on creating something similar as a surprise gift for my daughter’s upcoming May graduation.

The tool’s I used were my camera, and all the features I had never utilized prior to this project. My laptop, which had some compatibility issues with Vista; and other programs which I didn’t even know exist on my laptop. I took most of my pictures and used a few online pictures. The reason I used the Internet pictures was because I wanted pictures that would correspond with my theme. And as we are just coming out of the winter season, I needed pictures that could be applied to my topic.

As a future Special Education teacher, this project experience will allow me to create, and modify educational videos targeting all of my future student’s personal strengths, and interest. Another benefit for me as a teacher is that it is very inexpensive as opposed to buying videos for my students. I will be able to use my teaching allowance for other needed supplies as well.

Fun with Excell Spreadsheets

This week’s Session 9 spreadsheet assignment was a bit confusing, as I attempted to upload on google.docs. The difficulty was related to the compatibility of my software with google.docs. The instructions were not explicit, which became time consuming. However, through trial and error, I was able to accomplish my goal.

Students doing these activities will have the opportunity to analyze, create and record; and will have a hand on inquiry based approach experience. Teaching students by hands on experiences provides students with authentic learning opportunities, which is the core of the inquiry based teaching approach. Three questions I would use to help my students get started on creating a spreadsheet, are: 1.) How will students monitor the weather? 2.) What elements affect climate change? 3.) What is the impact on vegetation globally?

How the 7 elements of storytelling relate to my unit plan & storyboard

This week’s assignment is to create a storytelling movie. Are the effects of climate change severe? The entire world is suffering from the results of climate change. Tackling the seven elements of digital storytelling is an important element of both a unit plan and storyboard.

The first element I want to address is the point of view. In my storyboard, my point of view is dealt through my belief that climate change is a major factor in the reduction of necessary plants and vegetation in our existence. The dramatic question I wish to answer is, “what can we do to delay this process?” Answering this question is accomplished in my storyboard, by the images of recycling. The emotional content is related to the impact this topic will have on future lives of mankind. My voice will help reinforce the importance of awareness of climate change, by adding feeling and depth to what I’m presenting. The sound track will enhance my voice and my storyboard by emphasizing of what could be lost in this downward spiral. There is a multitude of information on how climate change is affecting ecosystems worldwide. I have tried to be economical in my presentation in order to put forth the information I feel is most important. My pacing accommodates each image individually and allows enough time for my audience to understand the information I am attempting to convey.