Video using Powtoons
My Microlearning Project
I really wanted to learn how to use an app or any tool that would help me create or animate a video. I had been seeing videos in the youtube with captions that it was created in Powtoon. With this assignment, I deliberately look for the site and learn how to use it.
Powtoon can be accessed at https://www.powtoon.com
The first thing I did was watched the series of tutorial videos (several times). I appreciated the videos as it was chunked (Miller, 1956) into segments. A demonstration was done on all videos making the tutorial helpful. I did a lot of observation and imitation (McLeod, 2016) during the 1st part of my learning process. The 1st part was highly influenced by Cognitivism wherein my mind processed information based on what was presented. My prior exposure to powerpoint and other office tools made it easy for me to relate with some of the commands and steps in creating a video using Powtoon. Meantime, the segmentation of the tutorial adhered to the principle of Cognitive Load Theory developed by John Sweller (McLeod, 2016), which made the new data/concept digestible in small chunks.
Once, I felt that I was ready to take on the task, I started to create an account and work on a video that was related to my work. There were 3 modes of creation - from scratch, building story board scene by scene or use a customised template. I chose the customised template. This way, I can get to familiarized myself with the location of the commands, the look and feel of the app, the intricacies of uploading and creating a page, etc. without being overwhelmed on how to start. I considered it as baby steps. It took me 2 days to be aware of the commands. I also encountered several challenges from system error, timing and looping of images, transitioning one page to another, downloading a different web browser and a command that was not functioning that I had to write to Powtoon support for assistance. Once I was able to resolved all the challenges, my progress in creating a video became more swift. My learning at this stage can be best described by the principle of Andragogy. I was able to manifest the characteristics of an adult learner (Pappas, 2013) when my learning became — self directed; engaged in solving challenges; used my new skills in my work; and fulfilling after successful output.
On the second video that I created, I explored other functions/commands as some processes were already stuck in my memory. Execution of the steps that I was familiar with comes automatically (Sorden, 2005) done that I can accommodate additional input.
My “aha” moment was the appreciation of knowing the theories of learning. I was able to re-affirm and became more aware on how I can best process information and execute the desired outcome. I am also deliberate and conscious on how I can learn best given the vast available resources brought by technology.
References:
Miller, G (1956) The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits in our Capacity for Processing Information. Psychological Review, 63,81-97. Retrieved from http://www/musanim.com/miller1956
McLeod, S.A. (2016). Bandura-Social Learning Theory. Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org/bandura.html
Sorden, S. (2005). A Cognitive Approach to Instructional Design for Multimedia Learning. Informing Science Journal. Vol. 8
Pappas, C. (2013). The Adult Learning Theory - Andragogy - of Malcolm Knowles. Retrieved from https://elearningindustry.com/the-adult-learning-theory-andragogy-of-malcolm-knowles