Week 4: Show Me What You've Learned Project...

The above video was made using a combination of the many media technologies I explored this month:

• Keynote;


• Illustrator;


• Photoshop;


• Photo Booth;


• ScreenFlow;


• GarageBand;


• Blip.tv; and


• Blogger!

As I understood it, one of the major objectives of this month was to explore various media technologies to develop an idea/game plan for our final media project. The subject of my thesis is technology accessibility... but I bet you already knew that if you're a fan of my blog! The solution to the accessibility challenges described in my thesis lies in awareness education and technical training.

As such, my plan for my final media project is to develop a multimedia online training module, complete with audio/visual components, step-by-step demos and even games! I am notorious for biting off more than I can chew... yet I feel confident that I can develop all this over the next 3 months... maybe even more!

One of the coolest things I learned this month is that we are allowed (dare I say encouraged?!?) to collaborate with our fellow classmates on our final media projects. The music in the video was composed by Abram Siegel. The piece included is a small sampling of what he's mixing for my media project.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to say thanks to Joe Bustillos, Media Asset Creation Course Director EXTRAORDINAIRE! The independent study structure of this course, as well as the flexible assignment/project deadlines, made it possible to meet our thesis draft deadline while not losing perspective on our objectives for the month. I loved the course, especially the personal reflectional offered by the blogging format. In fact, I plan to keep up with this blog long after this course and even the EMDT program have ended!

I think it was Madonna who said," We're living in a DIGITAL world... and I am DIGITAL girl!" Maybe that was "material world" - I have never been good with song lyrics... :)

Image Credit: Graphic created by Emily Wray using Photoshop.

Week 3: Reading... Giving an A

In "The Art of Possibility" Zander and Zander explain the practice of giving an A as the conscious realization and appreciation of everyone's individual contribution as a true and valid offering, not to be measured against one's own expectations. Far from just giving someone the benefit of the doubt, giving an A is the recognition of someone's infinite potential.

As mentioned in a previous post, I started reading this book during the break we had immediately before starting Media Asset Creation. When I got to the chapter about giving an A, I thought for sure Mr. Bustillos was going to follow suit and have us all write letters that began:

Dear Mr. Bustillos, I got my A because...

Below would have been my response.

Dear Mr. Bustillos,

I got my A because I would have never settled for less. Please allow me to explain... It's not the grade that I covet, nor any sort of outward measure of my success or failure in the course. What really mattered to me was my own perception of how hard I tried.

You see, I've always known higher education was in the cards for me, yet I promised myself I would not commit to a program that I wasn't wholeheartedly sure of. When I discovered Full Sail's EMDT program, I literally jumped out of my chair and did a happy dance. In that instant, a million little dots started connecting in my mind forming the shape of my future.

I was determined that the EMDT program and every course that composed it be a catalyst for professional growth, the alignment of my interests and talents. As such, I have given it my all... from blisters to bliss... all of me.

Without having to worry about a grade, I felt self-conscious that my work-product/effort for the class wasn't meeting your expectations/objectives. Then I realized, it was my own expectations that I needed to exceed... and I did. The sandbox you provided allowed me a safe environment to explore and reflect on my purpose in the class, the EMDT program and beyond. The experience was a personal one - challenging my strengths, weaknesses and, most importantly, my perception of the two.

I've found comfort and reward in turning every challenge before me into an opportunity for growth. I am now a better version of me.


Sources:

Zander, R. & Zander, B. (2002). The art of possibility: Transforming professional and personal life. New York: Penguin Books.

Flash animation created and posted by Emily Wray at http://blip.tv/file/2386806/