RILS Relfection

The most difficult part of this project was finding a free, efficient method for posting GarageBand enhanced photo podcasts online for critical feedback. I ended up using viddler.com because I thought I had found an easy solution to convert GarageBand audio podcasts (.m4a) into video files (.m4v) using Quicktime Player. Unfortunately the image quality of these files ended up being very hit or miss once they were uploaded and compressed on Viddler. My trial run worked perfectly with no quality issues. For no reason that I could figure out (and I did extensive troubleshooting) most of the students projects would lose considerable image quality in the upload/encode process on viddler as to be unwatchable. My workaround for this was to first convert the .m4a to .mv4 in Quicktime Player, then load the .m4v into iMovie and export and actual .mov file. (exporting a .mov directly from Quicktime player lost quality as well).

After much consideration I decided that GarageBand may not be the best software to use if you are uploading to viddler.com. If the ability to create extensive sound mixes is not and issue and voice and music tracks are all that are needed I would suggest using iMovie or Photostory (if you are on a PC).  

Reflecting on the overall process I noticed a vast improvement in student engagement over previous attempts to instruct this unit using both group activities that did not incorporate technology, and online game-style activities (challenge board, who want to be a millionaire, hangman, etc.). Student feedback on effective strategies included creative freedom, posting of daily objectives/procedures, online copies of Keynote lesson presentations and video tutorials.

Most of the ineffective strategies identified by students revolved around actual team dynamics. Some students did not like the random groupings and suggested they be grouped by level of engagement so that unproductive students could not skate by on other productive students efforts.  Many identified their own teamwork skills and strategies as needing improvement. Since self-reflection about teamwork was part of my intention this could be considered successful. However, in a mixed grade/academic level elective course such as this some sort of class ice-breaker exercise may be necessary for all students in the class to get to know each other a little better before launching them into accountable group projects.