https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siz3HwOFnVQ&t=4s&disable_polymer=true
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUBWTpNlbOM&disable_polymer=true
Dana Murphy
Reflection
EDC 523
Renee Hobbs
As I began thinking about my final project I was faced with an undeniable problem which, at the time, unknowingly provided me with my first step of the creative process. Coronavirus was on the forefront in Rhode Island and before I knew it, the transition to online learning was my reality. After about two weeks of online teaching, I began feeling confident and comfortable enough to help other teachers who may be going through the same thing. My principal ended up asking me to make a video explaining how I set up my google classroom in the hopes to help others. It was not until I brainstormed with Renee Hobbs on the phone, that I put the puzzle pieces together for what I wanted to do.
While deciding what I would create, I knew I wanted to inform others and share my ideas in a relaxed setting. This led me to create an informal and friendly vlog style video in which I could focus on a specific group of people (teachers) and speak my ideas, while also deepening my awareness of myself as a literate individual. According to Create to Learn, a vlog would be supportive of my purpose as I do not claim to be an expert, but simply a teacher stating their own professional opinion, as I develop my own digital media product for learning. Additionally, incorporating a screencast into my vlog allowed me to demonstrate what I was talking about, further supporting this objective.
As I began to film my video, I had to organize the general things I wanted to say without reading off of a script. This was something I was not used to and struggled with immensely. Prior to beginning to film, I thought I would have no trouble sitting down and speaking freely to my camera. However, this was not the case. I ended up having to re-film my vlog over 6 times! Although this took a very long time, I am proud of the result. Similarly, my feelings remained the same as I began to edit my vlog. I decided to try editing with iMovie for the first time ever. I attempted to use iMovie about three years ago and I was so intimidated I have not touched it since. I decided to give it another try and I began to watch general tutorials on YouTube about how to edit with this tool. I am so happy that I decided to give this another try.
Overall, I have gained a border appreciation for the digital literacy community as a whole. There is a metacognitive aspect within digital literacy that I did not realize as a consumer. Having to plan objective, purpose, tone, message, theme and so much more. Making a vlog is like writing a book in which we can inform, persuade, and entertain viewers. This semester has allowed me to gain confidence in myself as I will now continue to develop my skills and practice.
References:
Hobbs, R. (2017). Create to Learn: Introduction to Digital Literacy. New York: Wiley.
Hobbs, R. (2010). Copyright Clarity: How Fair Use Supports Digital Learning. Thousand
Oaks: Corwin/Sage.