Clay animation Introduction movie ECOMP 6016

Final Reflection ECOMP 6016

Task 073. Final Reflection Paper

By: Corina Crump

1. Posters
How have/might you use Posters with students for learning and/or teaching?

In the past I’ve never used multimedia programs or any technology to create posters. Students use traditional techniques of cutting, pasting, drawing, painting and designing on giant poster board. I see multiple advantages to using word to create posters. Student can search the internet or download images to fit the message they are tiring to convey to their audience. The text keeps the message clean and readable. Students can re organize thought by repositioning and transforming designs with ease.  Students could create posters advertizing their clay animation films just as they do for movies. They could also use the word program to create title pages and credit pages if needed.

How does this use fit with your experience and build on the ideas in our text?

As my students in the past I’ve believed that creating posters with traditional methods is easier and saves time. Since learning of the many different options word offer’s creating and sending posters to print will benefit both the students and I. Recently I created new 36”x48” posters outlining new projects and expectations for my ceramics class. Creating these posters for the class took a third of the time it would to do manually.

Artistic Expression would be essential for evaluating student posters. Artistic perception is directly related to the art curriculum I instill in students. Composition, design, perspective, creativity, principles and elements of art are all components I look for in artistic perception.

2. Edited Images
How have/might you use Edited Images with students for learning and/or teaching?

Currently the students use imovie to create their clay animation movies. The editing techniques I teach them include cropping, using text, backgrounds and inserting images on images. Because I teach an introductory clay animation class students don’t take the extra step to edit pictures before creating their movie. The Gimp program wasn’t the easiest program to understand the cloning process was especially temper mental.  Personally I prefer to use Photoshop over the Gimp program; only because I’m familiar with the program due to a former college course.

How does this use fit with your experience and build on the ideas in our text?

Editing images is increasingly important in our society. Weather used for personal use, career or school images and homemade movies are an iconic part of our society. Students need to understand the risk they take by using images and other internet items. Copyright laws are real and pricy. Most students are unaware that using popular music in a movie without citing the artist is illegal. I teach student to cite all internet material used in their clay animation movies. Granted they feel copyright laws are unimportant and won’t affect them. I require citing in their credits.

3. Animation
How have/might you use Animation with students for learning and/or teaching?

I use animation on a regular base. We’ve recently transitioned from the “Frames” program to imovie. To be honest most of the students have been teaching me how to properly use imovie. In clay animation students create story lines, story boards, sets, characters and props for their animations. We start with a flip book and turn that into a short movie. Then students create two short animated movies; one advertisement and a creative collaboration.  A creative collaboration is a group effort. Students pick characters, story lines and props out of a hat and have to create a movie incorporating all they selected.

How does this use fit with your experience and build on the ideas in our text?

I believe that animation incorporates many of the ideas expressed in our book. Artistic perception is important at every step of the process. Copyright laws are obviously in violation and need to be monitored and cited diligently. Multiple Medias are used during the process: animation, digital photography, editing images, and audio programs.  I’ve learned that through the process of switching animation programs the teacher and students as partners is imperative. My partnership with my students has allowed us both to grow our knowledge on imovie.

4. JING video capture
How have/might you use JING with students for learning and/or teaching?

I’d use the JING program to create instructional videos for all courses. I see the program used best for my instructional videos in clay animation. You can capture step by step instruction on computer programs. The instructional videos will accelerate comprehension and demonstrations; allowing more time for creativity and film development.

How does this use fit with your experience and build on the ideas in our text?

I often have to re teach computer program concepts. I’ve tried to use visual handouts that layout instructions to review. The students don’t use the hand outs. Having a instructional video might be used more than the handouts. Using an instructional video correlates with our current real world experiences. Students are bombarded by visual stimulation most of their technological experiences deal with viral videos and streaming internet materials. As educators we need to keep up with the trends and appeal to their learning and interests.

5. Audio Programs (Podcasts)
How have/might you use Audio Programs with students for learning and/or teaching?

The audio programs I’ve used with my students are built into the animation programs we’ve used. The current audio program in imovie has more to offer than the old Frames program we were using. Students use the voiceover, musical background and can manipulate the system easier.

How does this use fit with your experience and build on the ideas in our text?

I didn’t enjoy working with the audacity program. I thought the program was above my level of understanding. As an educator I have to think about all levels of achievement and I believe the audacity program wasn’t student friendly.  Having an audio program built into an animation program is cost effective and appealing to administrators. Using imovie which is free with purchased computers persuades my administrators to support the clay animation program.

6. PhotoStory or Movies (Vodcasts)
How have/might you use PhotoStory or Movies with students for learning and/or teaching?

In clay animation photoStory technology is exactly the process that we use to create our films. After students create characters, sets and props they take pictures with digital cameras. These still shots are transformed into a presentation/story by adding background music, voice over audio and text finish the film.

How does this use fit with your experience and build on the ideas in our text?

Having the knowledge of multimedia will prepare students for our vast technological society. Having students working on a real world experience that will benefit them in the future creates relevance and opportunity. Students can use their knowledge immediately to create viral videos and other Vodcasts.