Group+2+PSA+reflection

Jorge Salazar: ==== The syllabus showed us what the course was about. We discovered there that we will be immersing ourselves in video making which was very interesting. We understood that we finally were going to learn how to make decent videos. During the course we had a very hard time keeping up with assignments so we made a few mistakes that demonstrated our lack of knowledge on the subject, but at the end we were satisfied with the outcome. We comprehend that we will have to dedicate time and attention to a lot of details that we had no idea existed before on the process of making a good quality video. On the other hand, we are used to work in courses where the teacher gives you personal and live feed back, so working on line with virtual partners made this course harder. At the end, we managed to organize ourselves and ended up making a good video. ====

====We are happy with the outcomes because learning to produce better videos is important since it allows us to work with projects. We can use videos as a tool to develop skills like reading and writing, as well as understanding literacy genres and the public to whom the writing is addressed. Also, as technology consultants for other teachers, we can tutor them on how to start projects that will increase the interest of students on learning. In my case, I normally work with bilingual students and mainly use Envision© and Rosetta Stone© so using video to record students gestures and pronunciation in conjunction with such programs improves and speeds up their English speaking skills. Alternatively, I can post comments and links that students can use at home or libraries that will increase the resources available for them so they can keep on task when away from school or during vacation.====

====Due to the lack of good equipment and knowledge we were not able to produce a video where light and video qualities were considered perfect. We see that we need to look and learn more about the photographic properties of video shooting. Managing the camera to take good shoots implies good judgment about light, subject, and spatial distribution of artifacts. Managing composition in the picture taken depends on the artistic appreciation of the person in charge as well as its purpose. Acquiring the artistic mastery is crucial but takes time and practice. Besides, during the project we had to spend time learning how to use the equipment and its possibilities as well as tools available on the internet that helped us work and process the video.====

====We successfully completed our course assignments with some ups and downs originated by the lack of knowledge on the subject. We had to spend more time than normal because we were doing some research and learning on how to use internet features and equipment. Working on line with other team members is not easy. Their availability is strongly associated to the quality of their addresses and communication links. When not available on the links proportioned, it was almost impossible to find them. Also, writing emails and chats when communicating has to be done carefully so the ideas are well expressed and perfectly understood by all members.====

====This course showed me how important is working in a team and the big difference a product quality can have when comparing a team effort to a single member effort. I discovered myself collaborating and trusting team members that I didn’t know and perhaps will never know. I experienced how technology allows people to work on a project regardless of distance, time, or resources. I could feel as well the discomfort of showing my face on teleconferencing; the awareness of communicating with emails and concluding or deciding our next steps on a chat; the panic of showing pictures or videos of ourselves or our family on internet so anyone could see us and judge us; the complexity of opening ourselves to new technologies due to years of learning in different environments. On the other hand, it is a fact that the world is changing and we have to adapt to it. So in conclusion, I can see that the message is for us to adapt as soon as possible and use technologies as a way to communicate with our students.====