Session 6

I work here at the college as a Technical Support Coordinator so I can vouch for our school when I say that a lack of technology is not really a salient issue (at least within the College of Education). The main issue that I see here is that most instructors really don’t have the time to invest in learning new technologies to implement or integrate into their instruction. Those that are more savvy when it comes to technology tend to make time to learn new tools and methods, however I feel that for those that aren’t as savvy; the learning curve is too steep for them to dedicate a substantial amount of time in attempting to learn new tricks.

It may be the case that the “lack of time” claim is just a proxy for the lack of ability, interest or willingness to learn new technology, but this is not always the case. There are many instructors here that carry a lot of additional responsibilities besides teaching. For these individuals who have the willingness, but not the time, I feel that once they are exposed to tools that have proven success in the educational arena, they will eventually adopt them as well.

I would address this barrier by gradually introducing various proven technologies that could potentially improve, enhance and or simplify processes that faculty are accustomed to conducting manually. I would start small with trainings, professional development workshops and email tutorials. My target audience would be those who aren’t technologically savvy so I would keep the initial trainings as simple as possible with the highest residual value ie. Folders and filters to organize emails or converting word documents and handouts to PDF’s. I would create small tutorials that walk through the processes step-by-step and list the potential uses and benefits of each technology. Anything to warm them up to the idea would be a step in the right direction.

Session 6 Activity Log

Project 1:
Continued testing software and applying them towards daily workflow. Documented the amount of time that processes take with and without this technology implementation.

Project 2:
Began scripting the dialogue for podcasts.

Project 3:
Refined project outline and continued to research avenues to introduce project into the educational system. Acquired actual technology needed to implement project.

Session 5

I use a technology called Wiretap to capture streaming audio on the Internet or from any source that plays through my Mac computer. Prior to discovering this technology, I had been searching for an alternative solution to digitizing audio. Being in the music industry, I am constantly collecting and building upon my sample library. I use to search and download sound files if I was lucky enough to find a source for the particular sound that I was searching for. If there was no downloadable source then I could either import files from a CD or capture the audio by running it out of my computer, into an audio interface and then back into my computer. This involved cumbersome hardware and wasn’t efficient at all unless I was planning on dedicating a few hours strictly to capturing audio.

Now I am able to pull up Wiretap at any time with one hotkey command prompt and begin recording instantly. If I hear a theme song that I want to capture from an old TV show, record an online lecture with multiple participants, save rare music directly from YouTube or iTunes radio or just record personal notes without having to open up a special audio editing program; I can do it. The program is extremely user friendly so there is really no learning curve at all. You just press record and stop on the transport control and then save the resulting file. From here you can open the audio within the same application for basic editing or export it to another location on your computer.

A friend of mine in the music business first told me about an application called Soundtap that had similar capabilities. I tried this program for PC and was satisfied with it, but preferred to work on an Apple platform so I began searching for a comparable program for my MacBook. Of all of the options that I found, Wiretap offered the most functionality for the least amount of money ($30).

Wiretap is a specialized program for a specific purpose so most people wouldn’t have an immediate need for it, but it is definitely a great tool to have if you are involved in online instruction. It would allow you to capture audio from multiple sources and then host it in one centralized location for your students. You would just have to be sure to site your sources as with any other type of media due to copyright laws. You could also easily record your podcasts and online discussions and archive them within your CMS. Now that I have this ability, I laugh when I think back to the days when I would sample from vinyl records via a usb turntable or line-in from a cassette tape recording.

Session 5 Activity Log

Project1:
Began implementing software applications into my daily workflow. Documented the amount of time that processes take with and without this technology implementation.

Project 2:
Located potential sources of literature to create dialogue for instructional podcasts.

Project 3:
Researched the technological resources needed to complete the proposed project along with an estimated budget needed to acquire these resources.

Session 4 Activity Log

Project 1:
Researched various tools and software applications/features that could optimize workflow in areas identified in session 3.

Project 2:
Acquired a majority of the resources needed to produce professional grade podcasts including the following:
Shure SM7B Vocal Microphone, Pro-Tools 9 Digital Audio Workstation, Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 audio interface/mixer, Firewire 400 to 800 cable to connect audio interface to MacBook Pro laptop. This is all equipment that I can use for my production company as well.

Project 3:
Researched statistical data such as proficiency scores of local schools and average statewide proficiency scores. Identified educational leaders in the community where the project could be implemented.

Session 4

I would definitely classify myself as an innovator. Due to the nature of my professions, I use technology for nearly every project. I have my own production company, which provides the following services: Graphic design, web-design, photography, videography, audio recording/engineering and multimedia production. I also work for the college developing online training, websites and as a technical support coordinator. Needless to say, I must stay on top of the latest technology available to provide my clients with the best possible product in the least amount of time. With all of the services and software functionality available to businesses these days that enable users with limited experience to do things like create their own websites or edit and print their own photos from home, I must stay on the cutting edge of technology to diversify myself from the rest and stay marketable.

I have always been one to research new software, get involved in the testing stages and of course be the first to use the software. I often find myself reading instruction manuals and completing online tutorials to ensure that I am using the software to it’s fullest potential. After all, If I’m going to spend a significant amount of time and money on a program I want to be using it the way it was intended to be used at a professional level. On such instance is when I was looking for a program that could time stretch audio without effecting the pitch or shift the pitch without affecting the timing, I came across an application developed in Germany called Melodyne. The program cost was in excess of $800 American dollars so before I made the purchase I wanted to make sure that it had the functionality I was looking for. I further researched the program online and downloaded to demo version to test its capability. After discovering that the program can analyze complex melodies and separate each sound that makes up the melody so that you can manipulate them individually, I was sold. To this day there is no other program with this ability. Now when I’m working with a potential client in the recording studio, I make it a point to demonstrate this program’s power and more often then not the clients are blown away. This raises my company’s production value and gives me an edge on my competitors. Technology is making it easier and easier for common user’s to create professional grade products, but at the same time, professional grade software is always evolving to enable professionals to step their production up to the next level and stay current and in demand.

Session 3 Activity Log

Finalized project proposals.

Project 1:
Identified areas where technology could improve workflow.

Project 2:
Identified and researched the resources needed to produce podcasts.

Project 3:
Drafted up a rough outline of the proposed project.