On Friday, February 24th, I attended NYU's "Teaching and Technology Conference." Although there were a few presentations that were over my head, they were a few speakers who really resonated with me.
Keynote speaker, Clay Shirky, made an astute comment. He is of the belief that by incorporating technologies into the classroom, they do not replace what was, but they transform the classroom into something new. This comment made me think about the arts and in particular dance and how many choreographers and dance teachers are hesitant about incorporating technology into their work/teaching, stating that by adding such tools replace live movement and live dancers. However, if one takes Shirky's comment to heart, technology does not replace the artform but transforms it into something else. It becomes just another tool for the artist to use.
Shirky as well as subsequent speakers mentioned that live face to face conversation is still essential. That there is something powerful about individuals coming together and discussing ideas and responding to one another in real time, in the moment. We should not loose those forms of interaction despite the advances of technology.
He cited Chris Avenir's story as one in which technological advances do not replace what was, but creates something new. Although I do not have a link to the actual keynote address I found Shirky explaining the Avenir story in another presentation.
During the "Innovations Panel" it was interesting to hear and see new forms of presenting materials. Kenneth Perlin, previewed a new format for e-books, where on one side is a page of text and on the other side the entire book can be mapped out. Diana Taylor, gave us a tour of the Hemispheric Institutes website, a performance arts website that is presenting research material differently. Transcripts and articles are presented with direct links to footage of the performance being mentioned.
At the resource fair I was most interested in NYU's Wikis, unlike blackboard where access is denied post graduation, Wikis enable students and faculty to upload/post content that can be accessed indefinitely. Thereby, enabling students and faculty to continue collaborating in the future. I am looking to create a space for my graduating Dance Ed. class so that we can continue to share lesson plans, dance videos, etc. and hopefully migrate blackboard items so that we do not loose access to them upon graduation.
Jan L. Pass presented the work of the "Gaming for Learning Institute" showing how games can be used for learning. This really interested me as I have been wanting to use the technology of the Kinnect dance games to teach choreography or to use in a dance piece. I also learned that he teaches a course at NYU that teaches one to create learning games. Sadly, I learned about it a bit too late.
I find that I belong to a generation whose formative years existed in a world without cellphones, smart boards, and Internet, however, I will be teaching a generation who cannot remember a world without those advances. If one remains nostalgic for the classroom of old one will become obsolete. Rather one must welcome a new type of classroom, replete in technology that has transformed it, but not replaced it.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Reina's Thoughts on Skyscrapers
From the moment I saw the paper materials on the table I got excited. Being tasked with a creative assignment, building a skyscraper out of limited materials; paper, staples, and tape was empowering. At the end of the class when we discussed the reasons for such a task the obvious responses were given, teamwork, bonding, delegation of tasks, fun yet productive, etc. A big take away was that the skills we exhibited in this assignment should transfer over when we assemble tech instruments. However, what was not mentioned was how this creative task is different from all the "techy" ones that we do. What was so exciting about this "skyscraper assignment" was that there was no right way to do it. All creative approaches were successful. With the tech set-up, however, there is only one way to do it. A certain plug must be put in the correct input/output. There is a right way and a wrong way. The creative aspect of the course is in the art we produce utilizing the technology. However, there is only one way to set up those devices.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Reina's Thoughts on Cables
Before last week's class I tried to review all that we had learned the previous week. I went on to wikipedia and searched RCA, BNC, SVideo, and HDMI. I then copied and pasted pictures into my notes. Despite my review I still felt a bit of trial and error regarding the set-up. However, I am pleased to report that my knowledge of the cameras are getting better as I can differentiate between the various cameras and have begun to recognize the slight differences in set up as some of the cameras have a side hook up to the power cords while others are behind the battery pack. Instead of getting frustrated about what I still have yet to commit to memory I should be impressed with the knowledge I have acquired and figure out how to challenge myself in the coming up class, picking a task I have yet to master, such as setting up the really large camera or a videomixer or the input/output of the projector.
This morning I was listening to an ad on the radio for GoToMeeting a collaborative tool for online meetings. It made me think about the future of collaboration. Over the past few years I have worked on various community projects and google docs have become my go to tool for creating agendas, forms, spreadsheets, etc. I appreciate the real time access it offers all its collaborators and that individuals can view the forms at the same time. A couple of frustrations that I have is the inability to easily convert google docs to word docs and vice versa, the formatting gets completely messed up. In addition, the inability to track changes can be slightly frustrating when writing a joint paper. But then again google docs are a free product perhaps GoToMeeting provides a better product without any of these glitches.
Just as I published this post I noticed someone else's blogpost on google docs, "Use Google Docs to Facilitate a Digital Writer's Workshop," posted to my Language and Literacy scoop.it! page.
This morning I was listening to an ad on the radio for GoToMeeting a collaborative tool for online meetings. It made me think about the future of collaboration. Over the past few years I have worked on various community projects and google docs have become my go to tool for creating agendas, forms, spreadsheets, etc. I appreciate the real time access it offers all its collaborators and that individuals can view the forms at the same time. A couple of frustrations that I have is the inability to easily convert google docs to word docs and vice versa, the formatting gets completely messed up. In addition, the inability to track changes can be slightly frustrating when writing a joint paper. But then again google docs are a free product perhaps GoToMeeting provides a better product without any of these glitches.
Just as I published this post I noticed someone else's blogpost on google docs, "Use Google Docs to Facilitate a Digital Writer's Workshop," posted to my Language and Literacy scoop.it! page.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Reina's Thoughts on Video Calling
I had arranged to skype call Melanie on Monday between 4pm-5pm. On that Monday morning my brother, who has been in India since January 16th, connected with me for the first time since he left on vacation. He gchatted me and I immediately wanted to videochat him. We eventually changed to skype as the connection was clearer. How is it that on the same computer with the same Internet connection one means of video calling can be better than another? In the past I have attempted to video call my mom and we have come to realize that facetime is the best, the clearest and most reliable connection for us.
What differentiates one service from another?
On my skype call with Melanie I first heard an echo of myself, but it soon ended. There is a definite delay in sound from when I hear myself clap and see myself clap however I see and hear Melanie's clap as happening at the same time. This led us to discuss what is easier to execute when anticipating a delay, music and dance that is improvised or dancing to a set piece of music? I also discussed the Internet 2 piece that I collaborated with Cheng-i Wang. Perhaps what worked was that there was a musician and dancer at each site, however the music overlapped well despite the delay. So I'm still confused on how to create work while accounting for the delay.
I also noticed that when one of us moved fast the image left a slight blurry lingering affect, which I believe has to do with the speed of how the video is being transmitted.
The ability to video call someone is relatively new. I wonder how long it will take for it to be a clear image and sound without any delays?
What differentiates one service from another?
On my skype call with Melanie I first heard an echo of myself, but it soon ended. There is a definite delay in sound from when I hear myself clap and see myself clap however I see and hear Melanie's clap as happening at the same time. This led us to discuss what is easier to execute when anticipating a delay, music and dance that is improvised or dancing to a set piece of music? I also discussed the Internet 2 piece that I collaborated with Cheng-i Wang. Perhaps what worked was that there was a musician and dancer at each site, however the music overlapped well despite the delay. So I'm still confused on how to create work while accounting for the delay.
I also noticed that when one of us moved fast the image left a slight blurry lingering affect, which I believe has to do with the speed of how the video is being transmitted.
The ability to video call someone is relatively new. I wonder how long it will take for it to be a clear image and sound without any delays?
Monday, February 6, 2012
Reina's Thoughts on Camera Set Up
Tom Beyer began class by informing the students that we need to pick up equipment form the eighth floor, a grocery list of, I believe, 2 cameras, 3 tripods, and a videomixer. Once all the equipment from the eighth floor and additional items from the sixth floor closet were gathered in the studio, Tom Beyer informed us that 4 cameras one in each corner needed to be set up on tripods and powered, he ended with GO!
It was as if a starting bell had been rung and we began to execute our challenge. It seemed that a bit of our process was trial and error. Something that hopefully over time will be eliminated. Throughout the class we were presented with additional tasks, learning on the spot about attaching cameras to videomixers and projectors.
The hardest part of this class for me right now is initially watching how to do things without the opportunity to test it out right there and then. The only way to become more conversant in the technologies being used is to work with the equipment. An opportunity that is available outside of the classroom whenever we want to borrow the equipment but hard to do in class when there are two videomixers and two projectors available for 10 students. But perhaps in next week's class we will have the opportunity to work with the videomixers more intimately.
The other aspect of this course which is hard for me is the technology jargon that is being used. I recognize the terms but do not fully comprehend their definitions. Hopefully over time I can become fluent in this language.
It was as if a starting bell had been rung and we began to execute our challenge. It seemed that a bit of our process was trial and error. Something that hopefully over time will be eliminated. Throughout the class we were presented with additional tasks, learning on the spot about attaching cameras to videomixers and projectors.
The hardest part of this class for me right now is initially watching how to do things without the opportunity to test it out right there and then. The only way to become more conversant in the technologies being used is to work with the equipment. An opportunity that is available outside of the classroom whenever we want to borrow the equipment but hard to do in class when there are two videomixers and two projectors available for 10 students. But perhaps in next week's class we will have the opportunity to work with the videomixers more intimately.
The other aspect of this course which is hard for me is the technology jargon that is being used. I recognize the terms but do not fully comprehend their definitions. Hopefully over time I can become fluent in this language.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Reina's Thoughts on Collaborative Projects an NYU Course
When Jennifer placed the video camera in my face and prompted me to respond to why I was taking this course, I responded by giving some of my reasons but not all of them. While I was listening to everyone else talk about their motives I realized my initial response was nearly the complete opposite of their thoughts. Most students mentioned their excitement in collaborating with fellow students/artists, while I discussed how I had collaborated in the past with a music technology student, Cheng-I Wang, and was more interested in becoming a more well rounded independent artist by learning how to use the technology on my own without needing a technologist. Just to clarify, I am extremely excited to collaborate with the other students in the class. Recently, in my own work, I have been seeking collaborators, i.e. musicians, technologists, and other dancers. It is more challenging to work with others, but leads to, in my opinion, more interesting work. I would hope anyone taking this course is interested in collaborating, as it seems to be a necessary and vital component. The point I was trying to make is that I am also excited about learning how to use and incorporate the various technologies that we will be studying so that I can be an even better future collaborator.
This blog, Reina’s Thoughts, was started in the spring of 2011 for another course that I took at NYU, Resources in Technology. The background for the blog, books, was chosen because of their seemingly archaic nature with the advance of new technologies. Actual books are being replaced by e-books/e-documents etc. I wrote in my initial blog post how my use of technology is limited. As a Sabbath observant Orthodox Jew, I interact with technology six out of seven days of the week. From sundown Friday night to sundown Saturday night many technologies such as computers, the Internet, cell-phones, televisions, etc. are off limits. For me, actual books are not yet obsolete. The background of this blog, books, is a reminder to both my readers and me of a world that to many seems to be part of the past, but for me is still an integral part of my present.
Last semester I began working on a piece with Cheng-I Wang, which was initially presented in the Spring 2011 Internet 2 performance as well as in an Internet 2 workshop under the title “Tracing A Memory” and in its final form was performed in NYU’s Steinhardt Dance Education MA Concert under the title “Memory Trace.” The inspiration for those dances came from Mayumana’s "Momentum" (Mayumana used both live video feed and sound capture in sections of their show) and Pilobolus’s collaboration (video describing the collaboration) with Art Spiegleman on "Hapless Hooligan in 'Still Moving'" (show highlights). Over this past winter break I saw a dance piece by Zoe/Juniper entitled "A Crack in Everything," which incorporated pre-recorded video.
Towards the end of our first class, when we were being shown the various cameras, I kept on thinking to myself, I wish I had a glossary of terms. I realized after class that I had already forgotten some of the terms that were mentioned and had to look up composite in order to be reminded that the other term was not contrast but rather component. I wonder if there are other terms that I have already forgotten or, more likely, have replaced with other words...
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Reina's Thoughts on Creating a Website
Exciting.
Frustrating.
Learning.
Confusion.
Completion.
In short, I have and had many thoughts about my website while and after creating it: Reina's Website.
It is here that I wish to address some of my thoughts as well as explain some of my shortcomings while creating my website.
When I first began creating my website, I was beyond thrilled. I had never worked with technology in this manner. For the first time I was successfully opening and using programs on my computer such as iMovie, photoshop, and much more. Before I began on this assignment I believed those programs were meant for the amateur professional, a status I was not sure I could obtain.
And then came the frustration: "Why isn't it working for me?" Not understanding why my page is not looking like the professors. Over time I realized that one mis-type in html code, uploading the wrong document, or using a different browser were simple explanations to why things weren't working. I began to be frustrated by the time consuming endeavor of changing a simple mistake. I would first work on the html code in jedit, upload the document to my files, refresh my website, just to realize I needed to make more changes and begin the three-prong process all over again! A simple lack of an apostrophe required three steps to correct.
After a few months, I began to understand the logic behind the code. I started to figure out, through trial and error, how to complete the assignments. However, I am still confused as to why some of my pages are not exactly how I aesthetically would prefer them to look.
I would like to discuss the following assignments/pages:
Animation.
iMovie.
Powerpoint.
Table.
Both my animation, masksani3.gif, and iMovie in their final stages of creation appear with some issues. After uploading my filtered mask images to gifbuilder and added the set length of time of each image and looped them I notices a red tint to some of the images. I have no idea how to get rid of it! Similarly, with my iMovie in the application itself the pictures and images look great and after converting the movie to .mov in vlc it still looks great. But after embedding it in the webpage a couple of the images/transitions disfigure the images. I have no idea how to fix it.
I am very proud of my powerpoint. As a .ppt file the transitions are as I wish them to be and in the last slide I figured out how to embed videos, which play by clicking the boxes below the video's title. However, after saving the file as a movie the transitions changed and the videos do not play. I did however attach a link to the file so viewers can view the slideshow in ppt and hopefully see it and access the material as originally conceived.
Lastly, let's discuss my tables. Under assigmnet #7 there are two tables. The first one was originally conceived where the table would be the entire page with 25% of the page white and 75% purple. I was unable to figure out how to make it appear that way and settled with how it looks now with the table appearing as just taking up the top of the page. My Pilobolus table and my final project which are both tables, for some weird reason, don't get smaller or larger when the page is decreased or enlarged, rather it is a set size and one must scroll to view it all. The first table however does change, so I can't tell what is different in the codes.
I am very proud of my work, but I also had to give up some of my aesthetic preferences while creating this website. On May 11th, my mac computer started to slow down and completely stalled the following day. I had to spend an entire morning at the apple store and proceeded to reinstall my software over the weekend. Despite my huge strides over the semester when dealing with technology, I freaked out about the thought of completely wiping my hard-drive clean. Even though my entire computer was backed up with time machine and documents were on a usb drive and dropbox online, I was scared.
Despite the lack of having my own mac computer to work on, I was able to complete my website with the help of my Mom's pc and the Steinhardt computer lab. It was not ideal, but it got the job done. It was a bit frustrating not to have my entire iTunes library available to me when choosing background music for my iMovie and final project, time consuming to teach myself how to use a different computer and download the necessary programs and plugins to finish the remaining projects, and slightly inconvenient to head to NYU to use the computers, I was still able to get the job done. I did notice that on the various computers I used my webpages appeared differently. Music started on its own despite the code stating: autostart = "false", controllers and movies had weird borders, etc. I can only hope that the webpage is viewed as intended, even though that seems unlikely depending on the computer and browser it is being viewed on.
I was surprised how I have enjoyed blogging. Although I do not think I will continue blogging after this class, I felt I was able to explore some of my thoughts on technology and took greater interest in how the media discussed various aspects of technology.
On a final note, I have a website devoted to me as an artist, teacher, and student and hope to use it as a way to promote myself in the future. I have finally learned how to use various computer applications, which would have otherwise remained a mystery. Lastly, I have just offered to work on a website for a community project that I co-created and co-run, Flattening the Hills Street Fair: A Celebration of Jewish Life in Washington Heights, an endeavor I would have never volunteered for before this course.
So in short, I learned a lot, and still have a lot to learn.
Frustrating.
Learning.
Confusion.
Completion.
In short, I have and had many thoughts about my website while and after creating it: Reina's Website.
It is here that I wish to address some of my thoughts as well as explain some of my shortcomings while creating my website.
When I first began creating my website, I was beyond thrilled. I had never worked with technology in this manner. For the first time I was successfully opening and using programs on my computer such as iMovie, photoshop, and much more. Before I began on this assignment I believed those programs were meant for the amateur professional, a status I was not sure I could obtain.
And then came the frustration: "Why isn't it working for me?" Not understanding why my page is not looking like the professors. Over time I realized that one mis-type in html code, uploading the wrong document, or using a different browser were simple explanations to why things weren't working. I began to be frustrated by the time consuming endeavor of changing a simple mistake. I would first work on the html code in jedit, upload the document to my files, refresh my website, just to realize I needed to make more changes and begin the three-prong process all over again! A simple lack of an apostrophe required three steps to correct.
After a few months, I began to understand the logic behind the code. I started to figure out, through trial and error, how to complete the assignments. However, I am still confused as to why some of my pages are not exactly how I aesthetically would prefer them to look.
I would like to discuss the following assignments/pages:
Animation.
iMovie.
Powerpoint.
Table.
Both my animation, masksani3.gif, and iMovie in their final stages of creation appear with some issues. After uploading my filtered mask images to gifbuilder and added the set length of time of each image and looped them I notices a red tint to some of the images. I have no idea how to get rid of it! Similarly, with my iMovie in the application itself the pictures and images look great and after converting the movie to .mov in vlc it still looks great. But after embedding it in the webpage a couple of the images/transitions disfigure the images. I have no idea how to fix it.
I am very proud of my powerpoint. As a .ppt file the transitions are as I wish them to be and in the last slide I figured out how to embed videos, which play by clicking the boxes below the video's title. However, after saving the file as a movie the transitions changed and the videos do not play. I did however attach a link to the file so viewers can view the slideshow in ppt and hopefully see it and access the material as originally conceived.
Lastly, let's discuss my tables. Under assigmnet #7 there are two tables. The first one was originally conceived where the table would be the entire page with 25% of the page white and 75% purple. I was unable to figure out how to make it appear that way and settled with how it looks now with the table appearing as just taking up the top of the page. My Pilobolus table and my final project which are both tables, for some weird reason, don't get smaller or larger when the page is decreased or enlarged, rather it is a set size and one must scroll to view it all. The first table however does change, so I can't tell what is different in the codes.
I am very proud of my work, but I also had to give up some of my aesthetic preferences while creating this website. On May 11th, my mac computer started to slow down and completely stalled the following day. I had to spend an entire morning at the apple store and proceeded to reinstall my software over the weekend. Despite my huge strides over the semester when dealing with technology, I freaked out about the thought of completely wiping my hard-drive clean. Even though my entire computer was backed up with time machine and documents were on a usb drive and dropbox online, I was scared.
Despite the lack of having my own mac computer to work on, I was able to complete my website with the help of my Mom's pc and the Steinhardt computer lab. It was not ideal, but it got the job done. It was a bit frustrating not to have my entire iTunes library available to me when choosing background music for my iMovie and final project, time consuming to teach myself how to use a different computer and download the necessary programs and plugins to finish the remaining projects, and slightly inconvenient to head to NYU to use the computers, I was still able to get the job done. I did notice that on the various computers I used my webpages appeared differently. Music started on its own despite the code stating: autostart = "false", controllers and movies had weird borders, etc. I can only hope that the webpage is viewed as intended, even though that seems unlikely depending on the computer and browser it is being viewed on.
I was surprised how I have enjoyed blogging. Although I do not think I will continue blogging after this class, I felt I was able to explore some of my thoughts on technology and took greater interest in how the media discussed various aspects of technology.
On a final note, I have a website devoted to me as an artist, teacher, and student and hope to use it as a way to promote myself in the future. I have finally learned how to use various computer applications, which would have otherwise remained a mystery. Lastly, I have just offered to work on a website for a community project that I co-created and co-run, Flattening the Hills Street Fair: A Celebration of Jewish Life in Washington Heights, an endeavor I would have never volunteered for before this course.
So in short, I learned a lot, and still have a lot to learn.
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