Adobe Education Leaders

I was invited to teach a class in Premiere Pro recently at USC! To say I was thrilled was an understatement! The facilities there are second to none. And even better were the inquisitive and talented students!

The class was an advanced editing class and they wanted to see how it would be to edit a project in Premiere Pro. From my discussions they really enjoyed the ease of bringing in clips, scanning them in the icon mode, the new trim window, and the dynamic link. The ability to use their Avid shortcuts was a hit as well as exporting their own shortcuts to use on different machines. Key framing effects, motion and more was well received.

The Dynamic Link to After Effects was really a hit as I showed them how simple it was and no rendering! We looked at adding simple effects and compositing. They loved having this tool at their disposal.

We worked off an outline from An Editors Guide to Adobe Premiere Pro and it was great! I highly recommend it as a go to text.

All in all it was a great experience for the students and myself. I look forward to being invited back again! (Hint)

What am I? A teacher? A professional Graphic Artist/developer? HMMM….

Maybe I can figure this out by discovering which came first…Which occupation came first for me? Was I a teacher of the digital arts first, or a professional digital graphic artist/developer? Well, in my case, they pretty much came simultaneously.

I had gone into the UCLA Extension program because I was offered the opportunity to work with UCLA Law School to design the graphics for their new admissions application website. At the time I did not have a clue what digital graphics were or what I needed to deliver to them. I had 3 months to learn it and deliver. I had gotten my hands on Photoshop 3  (NOT CS3, but 3!). I had to figure out how to use it, and FAST. I also had to learn about website production. I jumped in and took the classes I needed to help me, and got the job done on time. I had so much fun, I signed up for their Professional Designation in Digital Arts certificate and spent the next 3 years immersed in the world.

When I graduated from my UCLA Extension program, I was offered an opportunity to teach Final Cut Pro at a small private college. I told my friend who was the connection with the college that I had just learned it. He was so adamant with his argument…”Well, you know more than they do!” So, I took the challenge. I found out that I LOVED teaching the digital arts!

My teaching career got a bit stalled because, well, I never graduated from college. I didn’t have a Bachelor’s degree (this is a whole ‘nother story!). So, after 3 years of going to school for the digital graphics arts, I was in the rhythm of studying and went back to school. I graduated from CSULB with my BA in Studio Art, and went on to Pepperdine U get my Master of Arts in Educational Technology so I could teach in a “real” school.

In the meantime, my digital arts career and skills grew. I garnered a few key clients that allowed me to progress my skills and digital arts knowledge. I discovered not only how to do them, but how to work with clients in the professional world. When my opportunity to teach again came to me, it was because I had industry experience as well as the digital arts experience. I was hired to develop a digital media class for the web. It is now called Digital Media Production as it now caters to all devices.

Today I split my time between teaching my classes; Photoshop, Dreamweaver II, Fireworks, the Digital Media Production class, building my new classes; Adobe Edge Animate, Social Media, and WordPress,  with my freelance digital arts career. So, which one comes first in my life? Which one is “me”? If anyone asks me (other than a prospective client!) what I do, I first say I am a teacher. I feel that every job I complete as a professional artist/developer is a step in learning what is out there to share with my students. Bringing the real world projects into the classroom is a key feature in my classes. My students LOVE this! They appreciate that I can show them tips and tricks that will help them move their careers forward quickly when they are ready.

Technology is changing at a break neck speed. Studying is key to staying on top of  the curve. Do I study because I am a teacher, or do I study because I need to provide the newest and the best for my professional clients? The circle keeps going around. I am a teacher. I am a professional digital graphic artist/developer. My studies include growing my skills in teaching as well as technologies. It takes many hours of study to keep up with the technology changes going on right now. As a teacher, I MUST stay ahead of the game. I have to be ready to provide appropriate tutorials that teach the students what they will need to be competitive in the world when they graduate. I also need to build my skills in the newest technologies so I can provide my clients with the most up to date technology for their companies so that they can stay relevant and on top of their competitors. It is also for me! I love to learn.

And, just one plug here… tv.adobe.com
Now that is where to go to learn the newest any time!

If someone was to ask if there were any careers in this world where working in one builds the skills for the other, I do believe I have the answer! The circle keeps turning….

I had to get my computer re-imaged and re-install Adobe CS6.  Since I have done so I can’t get the folio producer to work.  When I open the folio producer it tells me “A software update is required to use Digital Publishing Suite. Please go to the Help menu and select Updates to get the required software.” O fcourse, when I go to updates it is grayed out.  I tried heading out to the Web and grabbing different updates but nothing will work.  Below is a screen shot of my issues.  Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

We know when we have achieved successful technology integration: it is when we use technology without even thinking about it.

Adobe tools have sometimes seemed quite exclusive, solely for industry professionals. The need for teachers to up-skill has always seemed quite low on the priority list. The very hurdle of learning how to use the software can stand in the way of using the software to enhance learning. At my school Photoshop is only used in the Advanced IT course. Why is that?

I think Adobe have responded with new tools like Photoshop Elements/Premiere Elements and Muse. I am very pleased at the high uptake from my teaching colleagues and students alike. With minimal training and support I am beginning to see teachers integrating these tools into their daily workflows. As adoption of these tools increases it is evident that Adobe can go beyond enhancing learning.

Borrowed from an expert called Dr Rueben Puentedura the term “Transformation” as a result of technology adoption, is a stage you want to aim for in your journey of successful technology integration.

The SAMR model.

Dr Rueben Puentedura hit on a model which you should be familiar with. The SAMR model is a system which you can use to measure your application of technology, or it’s level of use.

The first level is the lowest level of use: Substitution.

Technology acts as a direct tool substitute with no functional changes. A common example is a type-writer being exchanged for a word-processor (albeit with a screen) and being used in exactly the same way. No cut and paste, no spell check, just direct substitution.

The second level is: Augmentation

At this level you are using the same tool with some functional improvement. Improvements may include the spell check or instant dictionary definition, cut/paste and placement of images etc. Already at this secondary stage we are seeing a much higher level of productivity from the individual.

The third level is: Modification

This level actually slightly alters (but doesn’t change) the task at hand. For example, beforehand your type-writer was being used to produce a text report. But now we have additional technology tools available, we could create the report in a spreadsheet. This would allow you to automatically calculate sums and create graphs for immediate visualisation of the information. We may choose to email the spreadsheet to colleagues instead of print it. Our report (previously a fixed paper document) has now seen significant task redesign. This results in substantial productivity increase.

The fourth level is known as: Redefinition.

At this level, we look beyond ways of just modifying the process **which still has the fundamental task at its heart**. Is this the best way to perform the task? The Redefinition level will use available technology to completely redesign tasks.

We are no longer producing a simple report. Information that would original have been compiled by an individual could now involve many contributors; collaborating in real time on the same document. An example might be to use a public document on Google Docs allowing for instant global collaboration on the project. The project could include photographs, graphics, even video, added from many different devices. Spreadsheet calculations will cascade through a document and be available for all decision makers in a moment. Immediately the task has seen the removal of multiple steps, and many more users are viewing and editing the document, increasing communication, accuracy, and productivity.

Applying this model into education is having astounding results. It is a fairly simple idea but one which has really helped me to evaluate where I am at, and what I could be achieving.

I would add that task redefinition can also remove constraints that may have existed before but were not addressed. At redefinition the task and its outcomes are clearer, the technology becomes invisible and the learning at hand takes priority.

With tools like Captivate and Adobe Connect it is very clear to see how Adobe are not only enhancing teaching practices but truly transforming tasks.

I encourage you to visit Dr Rueben Puentedura’s blog at www.hippasus.com to discover more.

When teaching a beginning Photoshop class, it is very easy to elicit OOHS and AAHHHs from my students. Showing them a filter or an adjustment layer can set the classroom into a frenzy. Two weeks ago, in my Media Production class, we covered how to change a type layer into a shape layer (PS 5) and use the pen tool to create a typographic design. I could not get through the lecture because the students wanted to try it… like NOW! Last week, it was animation in Photoshop (Our department does not have AfterEffects). One of the students began planning a birthday animation surprise for her sister.

I love it when I get this type of reaction in my classes. It is something I strive to accomplish. As mentioned, it seems to be easily accomplished when teaching Photoshop. It becomes more difficult for me when teaching anything web related. I have been teaching our Dreamweaver II class for 7 years now. It is an eye opener class for the students, as I do not hold their hands as much as in a beginning class. I lecture and demonstrate a taste of a new technology, and then I set them free to learn and discover it on their own. It is a skill I feel is necessary because they will be on their own soon. As important as this is to a graduating college student, it may not elicit as many loud cheers for the technology they have been sent out to learn, as it can be time consuming to “master”. I do get very excited students when they learn that they can do it themselves.

My Dreamweaver II class does not teach where the buttons or commands are, or much that was covered in Dreamweaver I. The class is geared towards actually using the tool and discovering how to incorporate the new technologies out there, such as jQuery and web fonts. Dreamweaver CS6 has made this much easier for me, as it has incorporated them into the interface. So, this semester, I got a very excited group of students that came in with some extremely fun projects. And, it wasn’t Photoshop!

I brought in my tablet and demonstrated Proto to the class three weeks ago. When they found out the HTML and CSS files can be brought into Dreamweaver to work on, they again got all flustered and wanted to dive in immediately. The big question at that time was “Is there anything like that for the desktop, or do I have to buy a tablet?”.  I could only answer, not yet, and I am not sure.

Then on September 24^th, it was my turn to get excited when I attended the Adobe Create the Web tour in San Francisco. When I returned to my classroom, I felt privileged to tell the students that YES, there is a desktop version of the Proto tool, but oh so much better!

When I played the keynote  video piece about Reflow for them, cheers erupted in the room! YES, real cheers. All of us are so excited to get our hands on this piece of software and give it a try. I have yet to cover the new Dreamweaver CS6 responsive web design tools. It may be difficult to get them excited over them. Reflow stole the show. That is OK with me. Yahoooo, YIPEEEEE, and OH BOY… even I am excited.

Keep it up Adobe, you guys are really nailing it with some fun tools for us to use and teach. Incorporating the most popular technologies into our favorite tools makes the teacher’s job easier, and the users very happy. When the job can get done faster, we love it!

CHANGING DIGITAL TOOL SETS AND EDUCATION

Tools. Craftsmen love their tools. Without a proper set of tools, their jobs would take much longer, and probably would not be done as well. If you were to speak to someone who works with tools, they would tell you that they have favorite tools among their collection. You will hear a story about how they will use these favorite tools constantly, and utilize the rest only when necessary. The craftsman will covet and care for these tools, as old favorites just cannot be replaced with new ones and have the same feel in their hands.

When better tools do come about, the craftsman may give them a try. It may take a while, but the new tool probably will work just as well, and probably better than the old favorite. Suddenly, the craftsman has a new favorite tool, and has found that it saves time and produces solid work.

I spent many years working with hand tools as a jeweler. I have a set of favorite tools that are on the front of my bench. I have new ones that I bought along the way to replace the favorites, but they remain in the cupboard waiting for me to pick them up. One pair of pliers had been in my hands for over 30 years, the “needle nose” is long gone, ground down so many times to keep them sharp. One day I just could not get the tip into the spot I needed to get the work done. Out came the new ones and the job got done, quickly and cleanly. Out went the old ones.

My full time days as a jeweler have been replaced with digital media production and teaching the techniques. I have been having fun producing and teaching the skills to build websites, videos, digital graphics, etc. for over 12 years now. I have favorite tools and technologies for doing my work here as well (Ok, mostly Adobe’s toolset!). I have seen tools and technologies come and go during this time. Some of them I was very happy to watch disappear (Director), some I miss.

This industry is always changing. Learning never stops. There is always a new technology or “digital trinket” coming out that needs special treatment from us to work. Right now, our industry has been turned on its ear with so many new and evolving technologies that are coming out much faster than ever before. Technologies are here and in the hands of consumers that our current tool sets do not provide what we need to get our work done in a timely fashion. All of a sudden, I don’t have a tool (let alone a favorite tool) for some of the jobs I need to get done.

I am always studying to keep abreast of what set of tools are available so I can work efficiently and keep my students on the cutting edge. Adobe is providing its users with toolsets that are moving forward at almost as fast a pace as the technologies. The new set of Edge tools and services are indicative of the company’s hard work to provide the cutting edge tools necessary for today’s HTML 5, CSS3, and JavaScript environments.

I teach in a community college’s Computer Information Systems department. Besides Microsoft Office, our classes include web design/development and the study of computer applications. The Adobe applications our department focuses on are Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere, and Flash (gone are Flex and Flash Catalyst). Right now, we are in a broil over how to proceed with our department and college web developer/designer certificates. It may take a student 3 (now with budget cuts maybe 4) years to get through the certificate program. Technologies are changing too fast to keep the certificates stable for that amount of time. If we do not change them, we risk becoming stale and out of date, providing an education that will not be what employers are looking for when the students graduate.

Our certificates dictate certain Adobe application classes are required be taken, with others as electives. When the landscape of application/technology choices change so fast, the certificates become out dated in months, not years. With the “death” of Flash as a web technology, Flex and Flash Catalyst were “killed” too. Flash I is still a requirement for our certificates, Flash II is an elective. Flex and Flash Catalyst are also electives. Our certificates are becoming “littered” with technologies that are not pertinent, and missing the ones that have become so.

The Flash platform technologies will not provide the job skills necessary for our students studying web technologies when they graduate. It is very difficult to ever know, in our field, what will be the job skills in 4 or 5 years, but we have to try to provide what we know right now to the best of our abilities. As of today, this is HTML 5, CSS3, and JavaScript. The release of Adobe Edge Animate this past week, with the offer of using Animate free for one year, should help to make the transition from Flash animation to HTML 5 animation a bit easier. The willingness of the instructors and curriculum committees to let go of their favorite old technologies and learn the new ones fast enough to keep moving forward is a key factor.

Schools and technology departments must make an effort to plan the new methodology for teaching the new workflows at a speed equaling the various technologies release, a plan to embrace the tools that will provide the modern skillsets for our students. The college’s ability to provide pertinent certificates will require some study and discussion to come up with an answer that will allow the fast pace of change.

Loving our tools means we love to work. Sometimes, even when it is so difficult, we must leave the tools we love and embrace the new ones. A modern web requires modern tools.

I am Chua Soo Han from Malaysia. I am currently a Multimedia lecturer in IACT College and I also teach part-time at Teras One Solution, an Adobe Authorized Training Center. Since joining the college I have been introduced to Project-based Learning; in short, PBL.

What we try to do here, is to get students involved in projects/assignments with real clients. I find this method interesting as it allows students to have hands-on experience with clients; understanding client needs and requirements; in turn help them to understand what they need to learn and research and thus prepare them to face the future with the industry (industry-ready) after they graduate.  I would like to share some examples on how it has turned out and how the adobe tools were essential in making it happen.

Project 1: Public Health Day
Client: Eulogia Community Center
What was done: Design a flyer for distribution and a banner and poster to be put up around the vicinity of the center.

The criteria for this project were to come up with a practical design that not only looks good, but also able to catch the attention of passersby in a short amount in time because the banner would be placed by the roadside in a residential area, beside many other signboards.  So it was very critical that important information such as the venue and date be seen by drivers and retained in a short amount of time.

Client Feedback:
I am so glad to have had the opportunity to work with IACT students,

Found them not only fun and joyful students, their creativity on the project can match corporate standards, even though they are only broadcasting students!

Looking forward to seeing them unleash their potential again next semester.

Pr. Perry

General Secretary of

Eulogia Community Center

Project 2: Brand Book
Client: City Square Shooting Gallery
What was done: Come up with a brand book that has a new logo designed for the company as well as a T-shirt design.

City Square Shooting Gallery had been operating for long time and it’s time they changed t heir logo and branding to suit the modern era. What they were looking for was a logo that could represent their company and match with their business principles.

Client Feedback
Working with the students has been a pleasure and a welcome change. Some of the ideas and designs submitted were eye-opening and refreshing. We look forward to seeing what more they can come up with as they advance further into the course. Always good to see how young minds work and perform as they bring different perspectives to the table.

Kelvin Lee
City Square Shooting Gallery

Project 3: iPad and iPhone Cover Design
Client: iGlossary
What was done: To design a cover for the iPhone and iPad that looks good and has potential marketing value.

Students were given the task to design and create an iPhone and iPad cover that was marketable to the target audience of the students’ choice.  They had to keep in mind the materials that are used to create the product as well as the mix and match of color. Research was required to find out what is the latest trend in the market today and why.

Client Feedback
Students were creative and passionate but still lacked the design knowledge; which was why they were encouraged to rely on library resources more in order to gain knowledge on design theory. Many potential students could be seen during the critique session and I personally think IACT can encourage these students to take part in various competitions. Students construct their own motivation based on their appraisal of the learning and assessment contexts. These influence the goals that students set as well as their commitment to these goals. Thus, it helps their motivational beliefs and self-esteem if they take part in competitions. It influences how students feel about themselves and affects what and how they learn. Overall, I had a good experience during the visit to IACT, interacting with the students.

Raymann Kuan,
Founder of iGlossary

NOTE:

- All projects were accomplished using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. It is not enough to just teach software skills to the students, but we must also show students their practical uses. The feedbacks by the clients (who also use Adobe products in their line of work) during the critique sessions have provided invaluable input to the students to better prepare them for what awaits them once they step into the real world.

- ALL students were only in their first semester. I believe that by the time they graduate they will be well equipped for the industry.

Day 1 (Orientation and Presentations)

iphone 6×6 panorama

The first AEL Summit to be held in Australia took place at the Kirribilli Club in Sydney over the 12^th, 13^th and 14^th of September. It was an extraordinary gathering of new and existing AEL’s from across the country and included identified leaders drawn from the ranks of Teachers, Principals, Deputy Principals, ICT Co-Ordinators, Regional Advisers and Project Officers.

For me this truly became the most significant and valuable Professional Development event of my teaching career.  The opportunity to focus completely on the planning and development of curriculum support material aligned to the emerging standards for the National Curriculum and develop strategies and projects to support professional development for a range of identified stakeholders within the teaching profession with such an incredibly dedicated and talented group of people was a paradigm shifting experience.

Firstly a big vote of thanks to Matt Niemitz, Donna Magauran, Anna Mascarello, Peter McAlpine, Michael Stoddart, Paul Burnett and the ever-effervescent Brian Chau for the quality of support and/or organisation provided over the three days of the Summit.

To the AEL’s (Vincent Albanese, Susan Bell, Daniel Rattigan, Megan Townes, Jason Carthew, Brett Kent and Pipp Cleaves) who presented at the Summit, what more can be said?  Inspiring and accomplished; it was an honour to present alongside you.

Not much spare time in my day. Just wanted to put this up to acknowledge the quality and commitment of the new AEL Australian team. It’s not often that being a part of an organisation or team inspires a sense of pride for me, but it certainly has in this case.

And so……

Some of the impressive new stuff for me that’s not under NDA was Adobe Tutorial Builder for Photoshop. Very impressed with this plugin from Adobe Labs. I’ve downloaded it already and will be adding this to the tutorial work-flow as of now. Also taking a closer look at Edge Preview; some nice developments on the horizon here as well.

Adobe Configurator was another tool that has slipped my attention. Hiding in Adobe labs this little gem will enable me to configure workspaces for Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign with unbelievable ease.

There are some real surprises in store for Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements users on the horizon. Keep your ears to the ground for version eleven releases. Nice work Adobe.

See more here