LightintheWoods

Technorati lists 1,085,251 posts about balance. It exists everywhere. Push and pull, pull and push, forces shape us and what we do. By recognizing forces that shape us, we become aware, and in turn gain control. My intention for this digital story was to depict the relaxed and fun end of the balance scale.

To complete the task I ended up using iMovie on my MacBook. I was all set to use photostory after viewing David Jakes tutorials, but when push came to shove, I shoved myself into the unknown world of Mac. It took a little time to figure it out, but I did, and I am glad I did. iMovie is a great tool full of neat features.

Over the weekend, I compiled photo’s and video of my favorite activities at the lake. My biggest challenge was remembering to take the camera with me. To beef up the story I then used some of my friend Jeremy’s photo’s from his time at the lake last summer and a couple pic’s from flickrstorm.

I am happy with the end product, but do recognize some weaknesses and things I want to do different with regards to timing and sounds. I also thought it would be cool to voice over a poem or reading that encapsulates my thoughts, feelings and reflections on my time out there, but alas, I ran out of time. Perhaps next time. Possibilities are endless with how digital storytelling can be used.

So without further ado, my weekend of relaxing.

Anxiety, wow, trying to think about what to write is tough. My struggle lies in my own brain. I have read many places just to be informal and attempt common conversation. Another part of my problem is that I lack confidence in my own writing ability and fear the judgment of readers and peers. The little guy on my shoulder keeps telling me that this is great practice and that I won’t get better until I practice but those self conscious thoughts still exist. I suspect that confidence will grow as I become more comfortable in this personal cyber space. Another solution that exists is the possibility of including podcasts, voicethreads and slideshows to expand upon my thoughts and accomplish my blogging goals.

Diving deeper…

The story of lightinthewoods. I will have to add a page on this subject because it represents so much to me but for now a brief explanation of the blogs title. First on all, it is my last name roughly translated from German to English. It is representative of my love for the outdoors. This further symbolizes my philosophy on teaching, as a model and facilitator, it is my hope that students are attracted to the light, follow and are guided by the light. I hope to shine light on new learning for students. Light also brings about mental imagery of electricity, and in turn, I have been able to apply this to my thoughts on technology in the classroom shining new light on education and learning (as represented by the woods). The light cliches are seemingly endless, but I foresee that much who I am and will be as an educator is reflected through this phrase.