Week Three 530

The first thing that I noticed when working on this week's assignments was the original presentation that I submitted for "Previous Presentation's" is going to make the job hard to make better. I did I good job using the Presentation Zen methods on the original presentation method. Although it is difficult, it is reviewing presentations that I think are from the "Zen" method and making changes where needed.

Working with Animoto has been very interesting. I am thinking about implementing a Video Production course into our Digital Imaging curriculum and I think that this program will help aid the class. I can also see students in my current Digital Imaging class enjoying being able to work with the program.

Finally, I enjoyed using the storyboard that we had to download. I utilize storyboards in my engineering and digital imaging classes to help lay out ideas for students. The storyboard that I use is not as user friendly as the one that we worked with so I am excited to see how my students will better incorporate the storyboard into their project creations.

530 Week 2

Well I don't know if it is because I'm a nerd, but the first thing that I noticed when looking at the Sticky ideas was the first letter of the six points leads to the word Success. It is my assumption that the author made it that way on purpose, but I really think that using these techniques will help save some of my presenations. I create a lot of presentations that focus on content, content, content. I rarely get the time to slip in images and phrases that spark emotion. I think by adding those into my presentations, the students will learn the course materials better. I also need to start incorporating life stories into my presentations. While I am still relatively young, I have a some personal stories that would fit alongside my presentations. I will be excited to see when I am ancient how profound some of these stories will have on my audience. Through experience, everything gets better.

Working with Voicethread was a good experience. The program was laid out very well and easy to register for. The program did exactly what I needed it to do without all the bells and whistles that kids expect. I can see me using this if I am going to be gone from a class and I could have them look at the link. The one thing that I didn't like about the program was when I put altering effects on the presentation slides, the program didn't expect them. I know it isn't about creating some cool visual, but I think sometimes this creativity will add to the presentations.

530 Week 1

The digital picture assignment is one that is interesting and I think that I will be using in my Digital Imaging class. It is a good way for students to take pictures and create a virtual portfolio that they can show others. I do not have a camera, but my Blackberry has the ability to shoot pictures and email them to Posterous. This ability makes the process very simple and convenient to work.

As for the readings, I really like the Presentation Zen text book. I am not a huge reader and thought that the work would be dull, at best. The author has some really good points and it has opened my eyes to the fact that I am just following the masses. I am working on summer training for an engineering course and I have started using the "Zen" method to create presentations for the class. The instructors are indifferent when I first show them the PowerPoint because they don't think I have enough material. After explaining my method about using my knowledge of the subject to explain the concept, they were less concerned about my presentations' success.