Final Video

I had a lot of fun making this video. The pictures that I featured for the programs described are actual programs that I use in my classes. I tried to incorporate a few screenshots as examples of how each tool looks and different things that can be done on each site. One challenge I had was adding the layer of music under the narration of the video. I had minor problems with the volume level but after sometime working on the program I learned how to work it. I do plan to use Windows Movie Maker in my classroom. It’s a fun way to help students learn new information. In a college level psychology classroom I can conduct a version of experiments done by famous psychologist. For example, Pavlov’s dog and classical conditioning. I would also have students do assignments using Windows Movie Maker. I think that they would find it just as interesting as I do. This is a great way to allow students to show their independence, creativity, and knowledge of the topic.

Final Video Blog Script

Psychology at its basics is the study of humans and their minds. It ranges over a variety of topics from learning and memory to abnormal and health psychology. It is a fast growing subject in universities and colleges. In today’s society, technology has become a huge part in how people interact in schools and integrating technology can be beneficial to psychology courses. My goal of this video is to show students how technology can be useful in the classroom and to introduce tools that I would use with future students. MyPsycLab, Virtual Child, YouTube, and Blackboard are just a few web tools that I feel can have a positive impact on students.
Blackboard is a program that is currently being used by most colleges and universities. It is a great tool over all because it is a great way to access information about the course, take quizzes, view and turn in assignments, and keep updated on grades. It is also a good way for teachers to communicate with students about upcoming projects, tests, homework, etc. Teachers can also post links for helpful website such as MyPsycLab, Virtual Child, and YouTube.
MyPsycLab is a program used by many that allows students to do a variety of things such as completing assignments and practice quizzes or accessing e-text version of the assigned textbook. Students are allows to work on exercises assigned by the teacher or self practice to improve individual skills. This program also provides examples to help students better understand concepts and terminology.
Another useful tool is Virtual Child which can be used for developmental psychology courses. Virtual child puts students in the role of parents. They are required to make decisions on how to raise their child with the help of a virtual partner. The ageing process is broken down in to mile stone ages (newborn, 3 months, 8, 12, 15, 18, etc.) that are important to cognitive, physical, and social/emotional development. Videos explaining important information and assessments done on the child’s development are very helpful. It is a very interesting tool to use in a psychology classroom because it is a fun, interactive way to help students understand what is being taught.
Most students are aware of the video site YouTube. Million of videos are posted on a wide of almost any topic imaginable, psychology included. This can be a useful tool for students who prefer a visual approach to what is being taught in the classroom. Students can also make their own videos and post them to the website. This is a good idea for students who want to replicate studies done by famous psychologist. This tool can also be used to create a Content Area Video Blog (CAVB) which can help students visually experience what is being taught for better comprehension of the subject of Psychology.

Refelction #5

One program that I have found particularly useful this semester is a program called Virtual Child. It is a program that I have used for my Child Psychology class but it overall it can be used for any developmental psychology course. Virtual child puts students in the role of parents. They are required to make decisions on how to raise their child with the help of a virtual partner. The ageing process is broken down in to mile stone ages (newborn, 3 months, 8, 12, 15, 18, etc.) that are important to cognitive, physical, and social/emotional development. Videos explaining important information and assessments done on the child’s development are very helpful. It is a very interesting tool to use in a psychology classroom because it is a fun, interactive way to help students understand what is being taught. Each student has the opportunity to personally experience aspects of human development from infancy to late adulthood via virtually raising a child with the added bonus of choosing a name and certain physical appearance traits.
The picture above is an example of my Virtual Child Gabriel. For this particular course I am required to raise him to the age of 10 years.

E-mail Etiquette

E-mail etiquette is very valuable information to know. As people embark on their educational journey it’s important to adopt more professional mannerisms such as that. After reviewing the PowerPoint over e-mail etiquette I focused on what I thought were the main ideas for my logo: planning and brainstorming, purpose or why the message is being sent, intended audience, main ideas of the subject, and proper use of language. I choose a cellular phone as my logo because I feel that the targeted students, in my case college-aged students, would respond positively to something that is familiar to them such as cell phones and text messages. This would make learning the information interesting and fun. When using Inkscape I imported clipart, utilized shape and text tools, and grouped together layers to get my final product.
This assignment reminds me that when sending an e-mail to a professor to state my main ideas briefly without bombarding them with too many repetitive details, which is what I sometimes find myself doing. In the future, I plan to consult my check list before sending e-mails. I think that most students try to use proper e-mail etiquette but some, not all, lack knowledge of what it intitules. This means avoiding text language, addressing the audience appropriately, and not straying from the original topics of the e-mail.

Reflection #4

My original thought was that Inkscape shared basic similarities Window’s Paint program and Photoshop. After playing around with different tools on Inkscpae I came to the conclusion that it’s very user friendly. I had no problems using the different shapes, colors, or imaging tools. Compared to the Paint program I could also see that Inkscape possessed tools and options that the Paint program lacked. One that I really like is the ability to add and manipulate layers; same as the Photoshop program but much easier to use. Layers allow me to create complex pieces of work with little to no hassle. My plan to is to continue to explore the program because I know there’s always something new I can learn. This is a really cool tool to use to make posters for the classroom, flyers and notices to students, parents, and co-workers, and students can also use it to complete class projects.

Autobiography Video

I enjoyed making this video. My favorite part was choosing which songs and photos to use and where. It was relatively easy to make but there was a few glitches that I had to fix such as the addition of titles inside the video. In the classroom I would have students do a similar project about different topics depending on the subject matter. For psychology I would have students use the Window’s Movie Maker to present a research project of their choice. I think that most students would replicate famous experiments such as Pavlov’s dog experiment, Skinner’s box, or even E.J. Gibson and R.D. Walk’s visual cliff. They would be required to narrate each step of the experiment providing recorded clips or pictures of their work. If I would change anything it would be posting the finished product. I was a bit confused about how to go about posting the video.

Reflection #3

The GAME Plan: Learning New Software (p.34)

· G (Set Goals):

o My goal would be to learn how to make an attendance log using Microsoft Access for after school activities, clubs, etc. This would keep track of which students attended what activity and on what day.

· A (Take Action):

o I would search the internet for examples of attendance logs. This would give me an idea of how I would want my ending product to look.

o I would also use the internet for basic instructions on how to use databases in different ways (i.e. how to manipulate designs, using multiple databases, etc.).

o I would asking acquaintances or co-workers if they have used the program previously for any tips they would have on how to work with databases or if they have worked on any similar projects using Access.

o If necessary I would use the help of a template.

· M (Monitor):

o I think based on my take actions plan that I could complete my goals. I would have an image in mind of what I want the finished product to be. Since Access is a very popular program it is likely that others have posted sites to help build a project such as attendance logs. Other teachers may have encountered and solved problems previously that they could give me advice on.

o This is building on information and knowledge that I already know but also I think that by getting other perspectives I can learn more about the program and incorporate it into my project.

· E (Evaluate):

o I feel that I would have been successful in meeting my goals. Building on my basic knowledge of what Access could do, I know that I could learn how to make attendance logs for each club or activity as well as cross-reference students in multiple activities.