Web-Conference on 9-17-10 at 5:00pm

Technical problems seem to longer be an issue in conferencing, at least on my side. Thank you Skype for practice with my camera and mic!

On the other hand, I can't help but express some concern in the changing of the assignments while we are in the process of completing them. My group was so close to finishing our project. Then tonight I find out that we have to have 2 voices for our narration. While this is not a bad thing overall, it was not in our original script. In my understanding of the rubric for weeks 3-5 we needed at least 2 video elements and an added audio such as narration. In requiring two or more voices now, my group must essentially rethink some elements of the script. I wrote the script for one speaker, one voice. It is a narration-kind of like the voice over on the St. Jude's commercials. We planned other vocals in the interviews, but have to cut much if not all of that.

I am also a little frustrated with the constant post and repost and post here and there requirement. In 5306 it was one thing. We were learning the many different places that you can post or write information. Now it is just a overkill of web 2.0. For instance, I am not a blogger, I don't even like to journal. Thought I do like my wiki, and have even started posting things that I do at school both for my internhip plan and outside of it, I don't want to double and triple post everything. I also dislike the fact that in a group project everyone must post everything several times. It sounds like wasted effort if you are planning that it is someone's job to do that part, then someone else takes care of the other product(s) of the project.

Finally, I am really irratated with the TK20 information. I understand that our professors did not necessarily choose to use this new program, but why are we going to have to pay $100 for an online portfolio when that is the intent of this blog and my wiki? Why not use the ProjectShare software which is already free as well. I apologize to Dr. A and the other professors if this subject is hitting a sore spot, but it is rough as well for all of us who are already professional educators, with portfolios and experience.

I hate to be on a soapbox rant, but it seems that we have moved beyond minor adjustments to the coursework and just simple continue to add tasks and extra items to purchase for the sake of adding it.

I have to say I appreciate the fact that I have the opportunity to take these courses. I have already integrated parts of my course work into my classes. I have presented to the board the need for a better infrastructure, and had reasonable back-up not just empty requests. I have started to help train other teachers at school to use various technology tools and online softwares.

Certainly not everything happening is bad, just not pleasant.