From a workshop (Nov. 2006) participant (M.L.-K.):

I think the most interesting thing was that when I got back to school, I showed the video paper to my class in their computer session. I was amazed by the way the technology assisted in the teaching process. You had the video, the lesson plan and the slide featured. I made my text enlarged and read the actual paper to the first grade class. When I played the video excerpts the class could see the relationship between the writing and the pictures.

On a very first grade level this was pretty powerful!!

Q: How was the ease of use of technology (too difficult, not so hard, pretty easy to use)?

A: Not so hard once you get a hang of things and had some practice. - H.D.

A: Most of the difficult/complicated/confusing things are foreseen as being so. Thus, when they come up, you slowed down and helped out. - M.T.

Q: General feedback?

A: Thanks. This will be very useful to my teaching practice. (self-examination, student instruction, professional development workshops.) - S.B.

A: Workshop was great, dan was supportive, knowledgeable and patient. keep it up. you did great with this crazy bunch. - B.B.

A: Great. I liked that we split the days between imovie and video paper. I really enjoyed your class. Thanks for coming. I feel techno-savvy for hte first time in several years. - M.L.

A: I loved this class! Thank you so much :) - A.J.

A: Everything has been great. You were able to give some one-on-one time - which really helps! - H.D.

A: Thank you for sharing with us your expertise. You made this learning easy. - C.G.

Q: How was the balance of listening and doing?

A: Great also- thank you for identifying which information was new and which was clarifying. I was able to keep going during clarifying information, which helped me meet the deadline. - A.J.

Q: How can you see yourself using this technology in your teaching?

A: Beginning next year. I would like to put at least one lesson per unit in video paper, so that there is another entry point for students. Also, these will make great sub plans! Finally, I plan to have my 10th grade class create a video paper to their final portfolios. This will allow them to demonstrate what they have learned in an interdisciplinary way (music + tech + literacy + media art) AND scaffold toward academic exhibitions (better visual aids) and senior project (creating through a service lens). - A.J.

A: I do think that this would be a great way for us to work on professional development--how we continue to grow as teachers. i think it is also a useful way for us to share what we do with others--a video combined with other resources would be a great way for us to be a beacon to others. - M.L.