Aftermath reflections of double-wide personal learning theory trailer:
The trailer
assignment presented a number of new issues that I had to confront. First, I shot the video with a Sony Handycam
but I didn’t check the settings and the video was stored internally instead of
on the video card so I could put it on my laptop.
Next, I had to convert this format into WMV so that I could
use Windows Movie Maker with the file (interestingly movie maker will bring the
file in as it is, although only the sound of your recording is usable- none of
the video…). Bummer. After having ‘fun’ with that madness, I started crafting the way I would use the
footage and design a trailer. When I was done editing and was set to upload
it Youtube, I got an error telling me that the file type - .WLMP - was a
project type (and was unusable until I converted it to a format that Youtube liked). AWESOME!! I really
was begging for another 15-27 minutes of troubleshooting and internet searches
to figure out what was wrong and then how to convert it! Subsequently,
I found a freeware converter to put the clip into MP4 file type and let ‘er
rip.
That was great fun!! Nonetheless, I learned a long lesson
in file extension evil-ness and learned to work with disparate software
outputs.
Since I have already covered some of the learning aspects or
rather the hurdles that I encountered making my short ‘Personal Learning Theory
Trailer’, I thought perhaps I would cover some of the points that I brought up
in the trailer.
The ‘Cell Block 17 Productions’ was selected to set the tone
of the clip; specifically, to denote that the following may be criminal-minded
in nature and the 17, well that was a tribute to our MALT 17 class. I followed this with some silly references to
past fictitious projects of the production company. Incidentally, there is a John Dewey High
School located in Brooklyn, NY.
Regarding the rest of the footage; I did not have a slate
(that I could find in time for shooting,) so I opted to use a mini-white-board
to denote the date, name of the project and some fictitious doctors who were
researching for a documentary, on the learning methodology of criminals. The Doctor’s include names taken from my God
father, Clarice the name taken for Jody Foster’s character in Silence of the
Lambs, and the last doctor listed is Esmerelda Villa Lobos a steal from the female
taxi-cab driver character in Pulp Fiction.
In the footage that followed, I was hoping to take a surprising
approach to demonstrate my personal learning theory. It was difficult to demonstrate all of the
ways I believe learning takes place, or all of the ways that I learn. In addition, it was hard to narrow the most
specific points. For me; it starts with curiosity,
interest, followed by study through reading and research, internet use to tap
into other intelligent insights, collaboration with others on topics, practice
at the application of what is learned and repetition for further learning.
What I didn’t note among a great number of other things is
that I personally learn a lot by committing things to long term memory. Many of the things that I learn day in, and
day out (and apply subsequently,) are through memorization. Additionally, I learn from the subsequent
application of those memories, repetition of that data, and build upon them and
modify them as I learn from new facts, concepts, and information presented to
me.
Lastly, I used Freeplay Music (thank you again to Larissa
for some of the intel you floated out to us!) (name of clip was ‘Paid Assassin’).
