Moving Pictures

This assignment involved using Windows Movie Maker (WMM) to transform a slide show into a web accessible movie. The process was fairly simple: Take an already developed educational slide show (I decided to revisit the Archetypal Hero theme), reformat the slides as individual JPEG files, upload the files to WMM, and start playing around.

There is great potential for this program in the classroom, and a wide range of potential applications. This is a very accessible program, and most computers (with MS Windows platforms) come equipped with WMM already installed. Additionally, there is an extensive margin allowing for creativity in designing movies with this program, which amounts to increased student interest and engagement in lessons involving the tool. Here's my video:



My movie can also be accessed at YouTube by clicking here, or at TeacherTube by clicking here. One of the largest benefits of using WMM, and like programs, is the multiple access points that can be used to reach the end product, as evidenced above. As always, comments are welcome and appreciated.

TPACK
As mentioned in a prior blog post, a teacher might use a Power Point presentation for several reasons over the course of instruction (CK). The ability to turn that presentation into an internet-accessible film however, opens new avenues for creativity and student engagement. This tool could be used to outline assignment specifications and introduce new material, support substitutes, or inject some fun while illustrating the main points of a lesson. An additional significant facet for using moving pictures and other movie-based applications for classroom instruction involves having students work on presentations of their own (P), either individually or collaboratively, fostering direct learning and presentation skills, and encouraging creativity. Of course, this process also teaches, facilitates, maintains, and showcases technological literacy (T), responsibility, effectiveness, and utility for teachers and students alike.

Relation to standards
The development and use of internet-accessible content material relates to several ISTE NETS standards, primarily #1 Facilitate and inspire student creativity and innovation by promoting student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding, thinking, planning, and creative processes; #2: Design and develop digital age learning experiences by customizing and personalizing learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities; #3: Model Digital-Age Work and Learning by communicating relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats; and #4: Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility, by advocating, modeling, and teaching safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources.

Integration
As an English Teacher, I will be required to teach English language and literature. The quality of my classroom facilitation and inherent presentations may be improved with the use of content oriented movie applications, and by the systematic collection, development, archiving, and retrieving of electronic resources.