Digital Project Write Up December 4, 2007

                Throughout the weeks I spent working on my digital project, I have learned how to utilize different programs to create projects.  For this project I chose to create a photo story for the T.S. Eliot poem, Whispers of Immortality.  The first step in the creation of the film was to come up with images that would flow with the poem and give the poem meaning through pictures.  The next step was to download Movie Maker. I had never used this program so it took a bit of trial and error to figure out how to use it.  Once I decided on the pictures that I wanted to include, I then loaded them into Movie Maker.  The next step was to arrange them in order and space each image to match the length of time it would take to read each section of the poem.  When this was complete I then added the narration.  This step was my least favorite of the process. I do not enjoy reading allow, and feel I sound quite silly.   To add a little flare to the project I also included an opening and closing credit sequence as well as interesting transitions between photos.

                This project can be used in the future in several ways.  The first of which is a demonstration of how to create projects such as photo stories.  This is a great way to get students interested in things such as poetry.  By having them choose images to go along with the stanzas of the poem, they can reflect on the actual words and meanings of a poem.  If a student was to choose this as a project, they could be asked to write a paper to go along with the assignment.  In this paper, the student could explain the images that go along with the poem, and why they selected those images.  This project can also be used when studying T.S. Eliot.  It would make the reading of his poem “Whispers of Immortality” more interesting than simply having the class sit quietly at their desks and read.

                Overall, I enjoyed this project. I really liked learning the new technologies that are available to create movies and other projects.  Like I previously stated, the only part I did not like was creating the narration to go along with the poem.  This is something I need to overcome.   This was a good project and opened my mind to several positive ideas for the future.

Course Reflection December 1, 2007

 

                I have really enjoyed the last few months in this class. This course has taught me a lot about the different technologies that are out there and how I can use them to help with social networking as well as producing more interesting projects that can come in handy in the business world. In my last job I typically relied on PowerPoint to create presentations for the company.  With the programs that I learned in this class, I can now create more interesting presentations.  I also learned a lot more about blogging.  Before this class I had limited access to blogging, but now I have found several sites that will come in handy in the future for communications with different people in my life who live all across the country.

                Another aspect of this class that I found very interesting was the use of the wiki.  The wikispaces pages have taught me an easy way to collaborate with others, even when you cannot get together often.  This is also a great way to do group projects.  The lessons that I learned in this class were very informative and will come in handy in the future. 

                I enjoyed the lessons and projects in this class throughout the semester. They were all useful in learning how to use the different technologies that are available on the internet.  I felt that overall this class was well executed and very helpful.  The only suggestion that I have for improvement in regards to the class involves the different ways of communicating with the professor.  Throughout the semester we used WordPress and WebCt to communicate and get resources for the class.  Sometimes it got confusing where to find things.  I think that it would be helpful in the future to focus on one form of media to relay information to the class.

                Overall I really enjoyed this class and would recommend it to anyone who wanted to see how they can use the modern technologies in the classroom or to learn about helpful programs to help them in their own lives.

The PostSecret Phenomenon December 1, 2007

The PostSecret Phenomenon  

In the modern age of the internet there are all kinds of web phenomenon floating around.  One popular site is known as “PostSecret”.  This blog site encourages its viewers to send in secrets on homemade postcards, which are then posted on the blog.   This phenomenon has lead from homemade postcards on a blog to now having books published of the postcards as well as “Video Secrets” and “Secret Voices”. Many of the visuals on the postcards reflect, in some way the secret that is being revealed.  For example, one secret is:

 ”In my neighborhood, people piles their leaves in the gutter for the city to pick up.  When no one’s looking, I drive through the piles sending the leaves flying into the air. It makes me feel alive. P.S, – I’m a 50 year old housewife.”

The postcard for this secret is covered in pictures of autumn leaves.

If you were to tell something about yourself, how would you express it? What word/images would you use to describe your “secret”?  What would your postcard look like? Why would you choose the images on the postcard? How do the images of the postcard reflect the words on the card?

Remember- For this assignment your postcard can be something basic about yourself. It does not have to be an intimate secret.

1. When you select the sentence for your postcard, all ideas must be ok’d by me to assure they are appropriate.

2. Once your idea is ok’d create a homemade postcard with a line on it about yourself. (Have the postcard reflect what you are telling about yourself in someway).

3. Write a 1-2 page summary of why you chose the graphics on the homemade postcard. How do they reflect the idea submitted on the postcard?

4. You will have have 5 minutes in class to present your postcards and explain the meanings behind them.

You will be graded on the follwing items:

-Thought invloved in creating the postcard

-Description of the project in the paper

-Presentation