WEEK+3

WEEK 3


 * __Podcasts__**


 * To create my podcast, I used **Audacity** and **Windows Movie Maker**
 * **Audacity** is a free program that allows users to record audio and import sounds, music, and audio
 * All one needs to use Audacity is a computer, the program (download it to your computer) and a microphone
 * Audacity also has different sound effects that can be added to different audio tracks
 * More than one audio track can be used at a time and can be combined to make some beautiful audio!
 * Tracks can be edited such that the volume can be increased or decreased, sections of audio can be removed, audio can be mixed together, the speed can be slowed or increase
 * Once tracks are finished, they can either be "published" as is into a MP3 or a WAV file, or, if you want to add photos to the podcast, you can export the MP3 audio file that was created using Audacity, and import it into a program that allows you to put photos and audio together, like Windows Movie Maker
 * **Windows Movie Maker** can be used to build and edit videos
 * I was able to import pictures and put them onto the video portion of the Movie Maker function
 * I imported my track from Audacity (I converted my track into an MP3) and added it to the audio portion of the Movie Maker function
 * I was able to change the order of the photos, alter how long each photo was presented (i.e. I could have one photo presented for 5 seconds while the next photo could be shown for 3 seconds), I added blank slides in which I added my own text, and I could add transitions, which I used when I was changing topics in my podcast
 * Audacity and Windows Movie Maker were relatively easy to use. I found I really grapsed how to use both programs by actually desiging a podcast as I am a kinesthetic learner, so the hands on creation of the podcast really held to solidify my learning.

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media type="file" key="A podcast about me!_0002.wmv" width="300" height="300" align="center"


 * __Career Day at Notre Dame High School__**

I made 3 presentations to grade 7 and 8 students at Notre Dame High School, in Ottawa, about what it is like to be an athlete. I didn't only talk about what it is like to be an athlete and the time commitments and challenges athletes face, but I also talked about obtaining and education and striving to reach ones dream. I brought in my dream of becoming a teacher and the commitment I have made to my education and the challenges I have faced along the way to show the students that anything is possible. I used a PowerPoint presentation to help guide the 30 minutes I had with each group. My PowerPoint included photos of me and some text so the students could see (visual) and hear (auditory) me discuss information. Since I was new to the school and had never worked with any of the 60 students I saw over the 3 presentations, I decided to bring in a small (size 3) soccer ball as a way for students to talk in class. I explained that a student who wanted to ask or answer a question or make a comment had to raise his or her hand, and wait to receive the soccer ball before talking. Therefore, whenever I had a soccer ball or a student did, the other students had to be listening as they were not the one with the soccer ball. I think the presentations I made were good and I think the students learned a lot. I didn't really get to use a lot of technology in my presentation as, I must admit, I left it to the last minute as I was trying to complete some other course assignments; however, I think if I had incorporated a video, either of me playing or a YouTube clip, would have been an excellent motivational hook to start the presentation. I have included my PowerPoint presentation below.



__**Using a website to share information**__

This weekend, I was editing the statistics for our indoor soccer league and it was like a light went off ... I am using technology on a daily basis for a volunteer position I undertook for the local indoor soccer league. I am responsible for uploading the schedules, statistics, and any important notices/information for the indoor soccer league we run in my home town (Carleton Place). I have included the link below. I am only responsible for uploading the information ... I am not responsible for the host site. I hope to take some photos over the next few weeks of the men and women playing soccer to add some photos to the web site in an effort to make it more appealing. [|www.beckwithindoorsoccer.ca]