1. Final Outcome
The outcome of my Personal Project was a YouTube channel and a website, which together discuss the importance of healthy living. This was a truly challenging project that took a long process to complete. I needed to plan in detail, as I had to produce multiple scripts, shot plans, and storyboards for the eight videos I had to produce (entry 4). I needed to manage time meticulously, as I had to follow a strict action plan to complete the project successfully (entry 5). And finally, I had to apply new knowledge obtained from my investigation to produce eight well-edited and high-quality videos, as well as a professional-looking website that articulately explained the goal of my project (entry 6, 7, 8). My outcome focally targets a teenage audience; however, the many different aspects of my project were critiqued by experts, adults, and of course teenagers to ensure that my project met the expectations set in my success specifications (entry 3).
My project mainly addresses the Global Context of Identities and Relationships, as it demonstrates how students (and also adults) can become more self-efficacious by developing healthy habits and learning to make good lifestyle choices. My project accomplished addressing this context as my website and videos encourage healthy eating and exercise, and discuss the importance of a good lifestyle. In the feedback provided in process journals 9 and 10, it can be seen that students and adults thought that my project was able to successfully communicate the importance of healthy living and its positive impacts.
As mentioned in the Investigating section, the nature of my project means it also briefly addresses the context Personal and Cultural Expression, though it is not my main context. This is because I produced videos for my YouTube channel and was challenged to take my amateur video production skills and advance them on the Final Cut Pro editing software. Thus, I
My project mainly addresses the Global Context of Identities and Relationships, as it demonstrates how students (and also adults) can become more self-efficacious by developing healthy habits and learning to make good lifestyle choices. My project accomplished addressing this context as my website and videos encourage healthy eating and exercise, and discuss the importance of a good lifestyle. In the feedback provided in process journals 9 and 10, it can be seen that students and adults thought that my project was able to successfully communicate the importance of healthy living and its positive impacts.
As mentioned in the Investigating section, the nature of my project means it also briefly addresses the context Personal and Cultural Expression, though it is not my main context. This is because I produced videos for my YouTube channel and was challenged to take my amateur video production skills and advance them on the Final Cut Pro editing software. Thus, I
Some photos from my creation process
2. Demonstrating Thinking Skills
My project required me to employ good critical thinking skills since I had to transfer and apply the information gathered from my Investigation phase so that I could create my high-quality video. One instance where I transferred knowledge from my Investigation was when I created a practice video on Final Cut Pro in order tried to familiarize myself with the program. Producing the practice video was highly useful, as it allowed me to practice and apply the new skills and information gathered from my extensive research and I became more adept with an editing program I was using for the first time. The practice video also let me identify the problems and errors that needed to be avoided in my final videos; I made a checklist to guide me during the creation of my final drafts (see Appendices). In process journal 6, it can be observed how the guidelines/checklist eventually helped improve the quality of my final drafts of the videos.
I used creative thinking skills throughout my project by experimenting with the Final Cut Pro software to find creative, innovative, and practical solutions to problems in my video. In process journal 7, I discuss how I fixed problems with footage by experimenting and applying useful editing tools that I discovered on Final Cut Pro. A big problem I noticed in a few underwater footage clips was that they were filmed at a slightly tilted angle. To fix this tilt, I found and tested out the “transform” tool, which allowed me rotate and resize the video so that it was straight and also properly fit into the frame. If I did not find this solution, some footage that was vital for my tutorials would have never been used.
I used creative thinking skills throughout my project by experimenting with the Final Cut Pro software to find creative, innovative, and practical solutions to problems in my video. In process journal 7, I discuss how I fixed problems with footage by experimenting and applying useful editing tools that I discovered on Final Cut Pro. A big problem I noticed in a few underwater footage clips was that they were filmed at a slightly tilted angle. To fix this tilt, I found and tested out the “transform” tool, which allowed me rotate and resize the video so that it was straight and also properly fit into the frame. If I did not find this solution, some footage that was vital for my tutorials would have never been used.
3. Demonstrating Communication and Social Skills
Prior to the Taking Action stage, I already started communicating with a swimming expert to collect information needed in my tutorial. This expert was Merve Senol, my swim coach and also a coach for the Turkish National Swimming Team. As a well-informed primary source, she thoroughly explained the techniques of every swim stroke and advised me on how I should structure my tutorial videos (entry 1). Once I started the Taking Action stage, I continued communicating with experts to ensure the success of my product. I asked Mrs. Senol to help me again, and critique my tutorials to see if I correctly demonstrated the techniques she explained to me. I also showed excellent communication and social skills with Mrs. Senol because I had to speak in Turkish with her and translate the rubrics she was graded (entry 9). During the Taking Action stage, I also acquired the help of an expert on video production and cinematography, Mr. Carlson, the current Education Technology director at IICS. He determined whether the editing, resolution, audio qualities, and cinematography needed improvement and provided written and graded feedback accordingly. With this feedback, I made necessary adjustments to my videos. Thus, my good communication and social skills were pivotal for the improvement of my final outcome.