Graphics and e-Learning Creation Software: An Investigation

Photo Editing Software

In the past, I have mostly used Microsoft Paint and PowerPoint to do some basic photo editing and enhancing.  For the first module, I decided to use Adobe Photoshop as I actually have access to it here at home.   By exploring and clicking around, and with the help of my husband’s coaching, I was able to create the basic graphic for module one.  Although I did find it challenging to step outside my comfort zone and learn some new ways to edit and modify graphics, I found myself immediately absorbed in the project as I learned.   Adobe Photoshop does have to be downloaded and installed but it is part of our Creative Cloud monthly subscription.  This was my choice because I know the capabilities of a robust program like Photoshop and I am definitely eager to step up my game and begin to build upon my skills and more importantly, I have access to the tool through our paid monthly subscription here at home.

e-Learning Software

Adobe Captivate is my tool of choice for creating e-Learning modules.  I have a full version that I purchased for my M.Ed course of study.  However, I have used it in a previous position.  I had to give myself a crash course in the program when I was asked to create video tutorials.  I just used the very basic functions, but I know the program can do so much more!  I would love to learn how to use the built in learning interactions and quizzes, the accommodation functions, and software simulations, and the asset library.  I am also interested in learning about the different publishing file types and when to use each. 

The following graphic was created with Adobe Photoshop.  

FYI for those interested, you can get the Adobe Student Discount on their products.  The full retail price of Adobe Captivate is over $1000 dollars, but I was able to get the student discount and purchased the full version (not the Creative Cloud) for around $370.00  I know that's still a lot, but I saw it as an investment for my learning and for future projects personally and professionally.  

There is also the Adobe Creative Cloud Teacher/Student discount (60% savings) that you can look into here:  http://www.adobe.com/education/students/how-to-buy-eligibility.edu.html? (Links to an external site.) 

From what I can see, you can get all Adobe Apps for 19.99/month with a Year Comittment. 

I think it's nice that Adobe gives you many options for purchasing, however, I would recommend you look into all of the plans here (Links to an external site.)before deciding.  I really am not sure I like the 1 year comittment, so I decided to purchase just the product I really wanted to focus on.  I can access the Creative Cloud account we have here at home for Photoshop

References

Adobe Captivate 9 Product Features:  http://www.adobe.com/products/captivate/features.html

Adobe Captivate Logo.  Adobe Systems Incorporated.  Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Adobe_Captivate_v5.0_icon.png (Links to an external site.)

Closed Caption Icon.  Retrieved from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Closed_captioning_symbol.svg/153px-Closed_captioning_symbol.svg.png (Links to an external site.) 

Adobe Captivate 9 Software Screenshots. Sarah Lowey, November 30, 2016.

Swirl Background Image.  Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/fractal-curves-swirls-design-1076735/ (Links to an external site.) 

Text to speech icon.  Retrieved from https://cdn3.iconfinder.com/data/icons/seo-and-marketing-solid-icons-vol-1/64/017-128.png (Links to an external site.) 

Views on Media in Education: Does Media influence Learning?

I believe that technology affects everything we do from our social or personal lives, to our work environment, and of course learning. In fact technology use has changed over the past few decades and is an influencing factor in every day life perhaps more so than it was 30 years ago. The connection between technology and media exists because as technology advances, new media becomes available. Clark (1994) insists that media has no influence over student achievement but is simply the vehicle.  While I do agree, to some extent, that the media or technology is the tool and the way the tool is utilized within the learning process [curriculum] is the real influence, I also believe that a student's motivation to learn can be increased through use of relevant media. In fact, today's students believe technology is essential to communication (Gardner & Aleksejuniene, 2011). I have always said that we need to meet students on their playing field, so to speak. That is, we need to engage students with technology and media as much as possible to not only motivate them to learn, but to also teach them how to navigate the information that is available to them on the world wide web. In a day and age where information is accessible through a variety of mobile devices, using media to teach students how to sift through information, determine validity, and formulate opinions should be a priority. Advances in technology create new media, and new media becomes part of our lives--including learning. So whether Clark's hard-lined view that media does not affect student achievement is considered, or whether we tend to have a more open approach as technologies come into play and determine to answer Kozma's question of "will" media influence learning (1994), I think that given we all now live in a world where entire degree programs are offered online in virtual learning environments, that considering the media we will use in learning is more important than ever. While I do not totally disclaim the arguments of both Clark and Kozma, we have to consider the time frame and mindset of the arguments. I would also argue that there are many other influences on learning that need to be considered along with media and technology, so I'm not so sure I buy Clark's laser-focused argument on simply the media itself.

References:

Clark, R. E. (1994). Media will never influence learning. Educational Technology Research and Design, 42(2), 21-29. Retrieved from http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~bmann/0_ARTICLES/Media_Clark.html

Gardner, K., & Aleksejuniene, J. (2011). PowerPoint and learning theories: Reaching out to the millennials. Transformative dialogues, Teaching & Learning Journal, 5(1), 1-11. https://www.ebscohost.com/academic

Kozma, R. B. (1994). Will media influence learning? Reframing the debate. Educational Technology Research and Design, 42(2), 7-19. Retrieved from http://www.robertkozma.com/images/kozma_will_media_influence.pdf