Editing Video

As we have been working on editing video in our graduate course, I have wondered how I could incorporate this type of lesson into my classroom. My students have a hard enough time typing their names in a word document; so how can I ask them to edit clips of video? I thought about giving my students clips of video and focusing on adding transition or music or changing color. Giving them clips of video of themselves would keep them engaged in the activity. As much as I would like my students to be able to clip video, at their level I feel it would be too challenging. However, I would have already set some basics that if the next grade's teacher wanted to use the same program, he/she would be able to build on the skills they already have. It will be interesting to try this in my class. It was definitely be a learning process for both me and my students.

Wiki Wiki Woo

No it's not a rap. Though you could use it to make one. What is a wiki? Well, a wiki is a way to collaborative show information created and posted online from various users. Anyone can use it. Anyone can edit it. That might sound scary. You may be wondering why anyone would use it if people can just mess it up. Well you do have some control over who uses it and can edit it, that choice is yours. But if you wanted anyone to be able to edit or add information to your wiki, you could! A great example of a wiki is Wikipedia.com. I'm sure you have used it at one time or another. Maybe you've even added information to it. It's a great way to not only access information but contribute to it. Wikis can be used for a variety of means. You can use it in the schools if you are a teacher. Have your students collaboratively work on a project to bring their own personal ideas to it. Maybe you are an author and want to get information from your readers. It's a resource that is right there at your fingertips. There are many free websites out there where you can host your wiki too.

I have just started using a wiki this year and have found it to be a very interesting experience. Seeing how different people respond to the same prompt or topic is eye-opening at times. Sometimes we forget our opinion isn't the only opinion. :)

What have been your experiences using a wiki?

Blogging

This is my first blog ever! I have never really enjoyed blogging, nor reading other people's blogs unless they were funny or somewhat amusing. I never saw any good use to them. From certain ones I've read, those people used it to complain about what new misfortunes have happened in their life or it was about boring everyday things that weren't really that interesting to begin with. I hope by doing these blogs it will change my perspective of them and their use. I look forward to being able to read other people's blogs and finding out their ideas and feelings about the various concepts we will learn about.

What's the most interesting blog you've ever read?