Evaluation+of+Video+Editing+Software

Prior to creating a "movie" with Adobe Premier Elements 10 video software, I had never thought it possible for a novice like me to construct and produce a movie. I found it to be an easy program to use, especially after watching a few instructional videos. The "Instant Movie" feature is the part I loved. Practically with the push of a button, you can transform any video clip into a movie.

While perusing media software, I found many helpful hints in "Video Basics and Production Projects for the Classroom" by Andrew Garrison (1999). Some of Garrison's (1999) quotes -- "Media production engages and excites [students] . . . . Media production demands writing and rewriting, research, group effort, and clarity of thought. . . ."-- made me reflect upon how my students need stimulation of higher-order thinking and refinement of group collaborative skills. Media production cultivates these skills. Additionally, limited attention span can be overcome because "Understanding that movies are built, one step at a time, enables students to imagine their own pieces" (Garrison, 1999). Any project can seem overwhelming, but if students are able to see a movie broken down into individual shots that are then put together to make scenes, the whole idea of media production becomes less intimidating.

I can see myself using the Adobe Premier Elements 10 media production software as a means to engage my students and help them understand how to work together to create a product through which they can voice their concerns. Again, I turn to Garrison (1999): "students want to say things that have meaning to them."

I have learned quite a bit about movie production, and I would like to open the door for my students to learn with me. It may be a bit of a challenge because I am a math teacher, but I already have a plot in mind. Rene' Descartes created the coordinate plane, when in his childhood, after lying on his sick bed day after day, the idea formed as he watched a fly walking on the ceiling. A mini movie portraying the life of a great mathematician may be just the key I need to hook my students into learning on a higher level, while bringing ideas and plots to life through media production.

My Podcast file giving instructions on making an "Instant Movie" is an //swf// file, which stands for shockwave flash movie file. The "Evaluation of Adobe Premier Elements 10" Podcast is attributed to me at this link: [|http://creativecommons.org]. I am also including the link to my Podcast on Adobe Premier Elements 10, the friendliest software I have ever used, especially since it has an "Instant Movie" feature. My Podcast is at this link: [].

Resource:

Garrison, A. (1999, Winter). Video basics and production projects for the classroom. //Center for Media Literacy//. Retrieved April 6, 2009, from[]