In order to add an additional skill and educational experience to what I have already accomplished for the S.U.R.E. 2013 summer research project, I decided to take my faculty adviser's challenge and teach an online version of the project using the Wiziq website.
All in all it was a very interesting experience and here's the journey from beginning to end!
Before the Conference: Preparation
Since the class would consist of me speaking through a headset with a PowerPoint presentation in the background, I created a PowerPoint of about 22 slides that would last approximately 45 minutes. I then uploaded it into the "content" section of Wiziq. The idea was that when I "launch" my class (international teachers would be viewing this live, recorded presentation), the downloaded PowerPoint presentation would be accessible and the audience would see it right in the viewer.
During the Conference: The Pits and the Pearls
I presented to teachers from at least 17 different countries, elaborating the aspects of my S.U.R.E. research project. I was very happy about the quality of the information I presented and with how the educators gave me positive feedback about what they liked from my presentation. This did not happen, however, without a major setback that we had to work around.
Despite a "practice session" designed for myself and another student involved in the S.U.R.E. research, where I expressed my concerns about the presentation document not loading, I was assured that it would work since there should not be a file limit. Unfortunately when the presentation gave me access to the live class (at the time of presentation, 5:00 since I was entered as a attendee instead of a presenter), it was then that I found out the PowerPoint was not able to load correctly. Apparently, through the help of someone knowledgeable with computer programs, they informed me that the cause of this was the website being "buggy". Therefore, another means of displaying the visual component of the class had to be done.
My faculty adviser, who facilitated the live class, had me upload the presentation to Google Drive Viewer and share the link with the other educators in the class. The educators were now able to view the PowerPoint in Google Drive as I took them slide by slide, and at the same time see the chat window provided by Wiziq. I must admit it was quite embarrassing for my presentation to not work immediately like I was told it would, but thanks to the help and patience of everyone, we were able to come up with an alternate method of presenting.
After the Presentation: Project
I now have a small group team (myself, my fiancé, and my best friend) who are collaborating in order to get that video to you! It will be "digitally remastered" - this means that it will be shown with the PowerPoint integrated into the video - either by superimposing it or the slides will be inserted in-between each topic transition. In addition, it will be shortened for quality so that the most important points are shown seamlessly, and that unnecessary introductory time is cut out as to transition right into the main content after an short introduction.
David's job will be to take the video download, render it, and allow it to be manipulated since it is a ".exe" file which cannot be played or make into a file that Youtube accepts. David has an Associate's degree in Computer Science and Mathematics, and graduated SUNY Orange with a 3.95 GPA.
Henry's job is to use the video editing software to insert, cut, and manage the content from beginning to end. Henry is a graduate of SUNY Purchase and his Bachelor's degree is in Media/Communications.
Clarisa (I) will be the Executive Director and Producer, overseeing all aspects of the video project from beginning to end, as well as have the final decision-making authority.
Thank you all - please look forward to it!
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