MaryAnyomi

My Reflections by Mary Anyomi

My Final Reflection

My Final Report

November 29

This is the link to my annotated bibliography, part 2 [|Annotated Bibliography]

Presently, I am working on my final report. When I went to use the Adobe Presenter, I found out that my sample version expired so I am going to complete my presentation over at USC-Columbia Educ. computer lab.

November 22

Presently, I am waiting for the faculty of the Hollings Special Collections Library to review the video and provide feedback to me. I have already received feedback from some of the faculty members.

I have completed the annotated bibliography. But, I have found out that locating relevant articles for my internship to be a great challenge. My literature search results were based on video games and not developing training videos. There are many research articles focusing on videos (i.e. procedural steps, perceptions of individuals and interactivity) which I found to be helpful and interesting. I believe that my article selection to be appropriate and useful.

I have learned a great deal about using Movie Maker and taking pictures. I am not the photographer in the family, but I intended to do the very best job I can in using the camera. I, also, purchased a tripod which helped to improve the quality of my pictures. Sometimes I go forth and backward after completing the video, I typed out the script because I wanted to add closed captioning to the video. I was unable to add the text to the video because of Movie Maker limitation, but my typing of the script matched the timing of the video which is a small success for me.

On the whole, I must say that the project made me work harder and as a result, I learned several new things.

November 8

I have had a success in finding articles to add to the previous bibliography. Presently, I have only got to read two more articles and I will write entries for them. But several of the article entries are too long and need to be edited.

I was planning to use read arrows to point out specific items on the registration and request forms. But it was pointed out to me that adding a red arrow to the back of the registration form could obstruct the view of the form because Movie Maker (MM) may resize the image even smaller. It had been also said that this image is the best I can get. Also, the request forms were very readable by the viewer.

I created a Flash project for the beginning [1st slide] of the video and researched if MM would accept Flash with swf extension. According to information on the Internet, MM accepts Flash with avi extension and one can export Flash with avi. So I tried exporting Flash with avi extension but that did not work with MM. However, I quickly found out that both Flash and MM have their own timelines and each operates separately. Then I downloaded an avi converter and found that the looping slowed down but the image quality was poor, so I did not include the item. What I found useful was reviewing MM features and I was able to find features I could use to improve the video. I found out that animating the title appears very nice. I decided to include Flash to improve my skill. Even if I did not use the Flash item I created, I realized that learning about converting Flash to avi was a good experience for me.

My original images were too dark. I used Picture Manager's auto correct to improve the image quality. But MM includes a brightness effect which helped to improve the image quality.

Since I have started this project, the reader's registration form has been a problem for me. I have tried changing the format from jpeg to bmp format because I read that MM prefers bmp to jpeg. So, I tried that format change but MM would not accept that format. In fact, when I reformatted it back to jpeg the video would not accept the change. Therefore, I started all over again form slide 1 and I rescanned the form and I also created another jpeg for a new video.

Writing the narration for the video was a little difficult for me because everything is automatic to me. I, also, wanted to ensure accuracy of information. So, I rewrote several slides a few times before I got everything right.

To narrate the video, I worked on 11/6-7 to get this video element completed. The more I kept trying to get the narration done on Saturday; the more I got frustrated with the whole process and I went to bed. Early Sunday morning, I went back to work on it and patiently concentrate on one slide at a time and not watch the placeback indicator move on the timeline. Problems I encounted with the narration: pronouncing words and having to redo clips repeatedly, video not responding and I was losing all the work.

I was happy to find the following article: Schwan, S., Riemps, R. (2004). The cognitive benefits of interactive videos: learning to tie nautical knots. __Learning and Instruction__, 14 (3), 293-305. This article has been cited by 47 articles. I wanted to read this article.

October 25

I am still having trouble locating relevant articles. The articles that I found I believe they support my internship.

I have scanned all the forms necessary for my training video, but I was having trouble getting the reader's registration form in good image quality for the video. This morning (October 25), I realized that Movie Maker (MM) resized my jpeg to fit its size requirements. I see that as the best quality image I can get because I have worked hard to improve the quality of that specific image. I will use red arrows to point out specific information on the forms. I think using an arrow will help the listener understand the discussion better.

I have completed the sequencing of the images in MM. I have made adjustments to the images based on how each image looks in MM. I found out that my camera size images fit well in MM but when I imported them into Flash the size was too large and the image had to be resized to get it fit into Flash. Then the problem arose that the resized image was small for MM and left white gaps around it. I found out that MM prefers images that are formatted bitmaps so I am wondering if I have to reformat my jpeg images. How much effect using jpegs will have in MM? I am going to write the narration the week of October 25 and carefully go over each slide's content.

I found out that you can export a Flash project as Windows avi which is accepted by MM. I think using this feature would enhance the quality of my video. The project is an opportunity for me to improve my Flash skills. I created a Flash project to use in the video. I export the Flash as Windows avi and imported it into MM but MM would not give the slide time rotate & stop. The storyboard kept on moving. I tried using slow down, half effort but that had no effect on the movie. Also I went to Flash and turned off the looping under the html which is under publishing. I thoght maybe that would stop the looping in the image but that did not work either.

I think my project progress is on course. I just have to take time to figure out problems as they arise and not let them stress me out too much. I have started reading article #3 for the next set of entries in my annotated bibliography. Hopefully, I will complete everything on time.


 * October 11**

**Annotated Bibliography **
Midterm Annotated Bibliography (opens in a new window)

[|Narrated presentation]

September 27

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Professor Smyth reviewed my project proposal and suggested to me to create a slide show and add narration. His suggestion give me more time to develop picture taking strategies and writing the narration. I believe his idea is much easier for me to develop than my original project idea.======

One author suggested by simply taking the time to think about your shot before you take it. One can minimize picture errors. Also, I think planning each picture shot will be an efficient way of using time. I am going to ask individuals to pose in some of the pictures so I must be organized and ready to take the picture/shot (i.e. taking a picture on an angle). I have several angle shots to do for the video.

Ms. Creighton (on site supervisor) suggested that I use Camtasia to create the video. I did not know one can use PowerPoint presentation with Camtasia to create a video. My experience using Camtasia is limited to screen recording. I am excited about learning more about Camtasia because it will broaden my background in making videos. Also, I am interested in finding out the features offered by the application.

I consider the storyboard as the design stage in the ADDIE model because the document shows the partial visual and technical design of the project. One can see the steps in which the registration and paging of a book/item. The effectiveness of the video will be determined by a patron's response to the registration question that will be asked at the registration window before the individual comes into the Smith Reading Room. The video will help anyone who searches the Hollings Library website to be acquainted with the library's expectations of an individual using the materials.

A major change to the storyboard is not having individuals speak in the video. This development changes my original plan for the video because I will not use Cooper Library's camcorder and it lessens my planning and organizing of each shot. I can now focus on developing the narration by follow the storyboard progress. It also provides me the time to check information for accuracy.

I purchased a camera disk and a tripod. I needed these items to help improve the quality of my pictures and to be able to hold images on a camera card. I found a website with photoshop tips to improve picture quality. I am going to work hard on picture quality. I also want to add closed captioning to the video. One author stated if you create a video then add closed captioning which will provide accessibility to the video.

My frustration with locating relevant articles for my project focuses on: e-journal subscriptions and pay for pdf's. These two factors have slowed down the research process. Some of the articles I have found are for background information (i.e. creating a video). From reading the articles, I learned two factors which influence the quality of a video: content and planning the shots. One author stressed paying attention to the video content because technology is available to edit the video.

I look forward to stepping out of my comfort zone and challenging myself to learn something new.

September 13

When I began this internship, my biggest challenged was what I can create to improve service at the Hollings Library and how to incorporate multimedia. I thought of how repetitive it is explaining the Library's reader registration process to each individual who comes into the Library to use the collection materials and facilities. Knowable research more often than not try to contact the department directly about the registration procedures and request specific materials which they want to see. But there are individuals who find the title in the OPAC (online public access catalog) and want to see the item first before deciding whether to use them or not. So I thought about developing a video to improve service efficiency by have the video mounted on the Hollings Library website. I want the individuals to review the video before they come to the Library which would save time and effort for both the researcher and the Library staff.

The registration document provides pertinent information about the individual whether or not he or she is affiliated with the University (i.e. faculty) and their research interest. This information helps the Library faculty to understand a researchers' background and to provide help using the Library collections and facilities. It also give the faculty the opportunity to suggest other resources which may be included to enhance the researchers work.

One cannot forget security, each researcher must provide a photo identification and that document will be copied for security purposes. For example, the "Audubon double elephant folio 'Birds of America,' published in parts between 1828 and 1838, purchased for the College by special vote of the South Carolina Legislature." These plates have been estimated to be worth more than six million dollars.

For security purposes, documenting each users' identity of the Library's materials safeguards the materials because the Library statt can go back and see who was the last individual to use the materials, and which staff member provided the material to the reader.

I have known my internship supervisor for many years, but this is the first which I will have direct supervision from her. It is interesting to see how individuals play different roles in your life. I really had to tink about whom to ask to direct my internship because technology component in the course. During Management of Technology Resources course, I had the opportunity to interview Ms. Creighton concerning the management a systems department. She was happy and excited about the interview and answered my questions for my course.

Once my contact was approved by Professor Smyth, I began working on my project. It took me several tries to get the flowchart to move in correct sequencing. I have found that something I do repetitively I no longer think about it. It becomes an automatic process. But now I have to think about each step in the process. I know that developing the narration for the video will take a lot more time and effort than the flowchart. I am also learning how to use my camera to film the video or maybe using a camcorder. At this point of time, I am not sure which piece of equipment I will be using to film the video. I also have to consider how am I going to edit the film.

One article I read, the authors stated that producer should focus on the video content and don't worry too much about technology because there are many sources to help the producer to film and edit the video. The authors pointed out that taking the time to plan the video content will help to ensure a good video and less time redoing the project because the planning and organization was not strong.

One area of the internship which concerns me most is selecting articles which are relevant to my internship topic. Article selection is a very important element in the learning process because the article I mentioned above, I learned a great deal about videos being used in the training process and to make videos interactive with appropriate questions that are relevant to the subject and purpose of the video.

I am confident everything will fall in place when I receive feedback from Professor Smyth and everyone who is interested in this internship.

 