Week 7: CST 300 - Major Pro Seminar

 Part 1: Final Research Video Project Planning

Collaborating on our Final Research Video Project was a dynamic and mostly smooth experience, thanks to the tools and strategies we used to stay connected and organized. Most of our collaboration happened over Zoom, where we held regular meetings to brainstorm ideas, assign roles, and check progress. These live sessions were essential for real-time feedback and coordination.

Outside of Zoom, we relied heavily on Discord for daily communication. It was a central hub where we could casually share updates, exchange ideas, and upload draft files or reference materials. For document sharing and group editing, Google Drive and its suite of tools (docs, slides, and sheets) were incredibly useful. Having the ability to co-edit files in real-time kept everyone on the same page and eliminated version control issues.

We aimed for consistency in the video production aspect by using the same virtual background across all our individual recordings. I installed an app called Filmic Pro on my Android phone, which allowed for high-quality video capture with manual control over focus, exposure, and audio. This gave our footage a professional and uniform look. To compile and edit the individual clips into a final video, we used CapCut, a free but powerful mobile editing app that supports multi-track editing, transitions, and voiceovers. It was intuitive and worked well for our project needs.

While the overall process was successful, one challenge we encountered was managing schedules and ensuring everyone met deadlines for filming and content submission. Next time, I would recommend setting firmer internal deadlines and possibly assigning a project manager role within the team to streamline accountability.

Part 2: Reflection on the Lecture readings

This week's activities and readings helped me think more critically about what makes an effective presentation, especially when working on a video project. The online presentation rubric showed me how important structure, clarity, and engagement are when communicating ideas. I realized how much small things like smooth transitions, balanced audio, and a strong opening hook can influence the overall impact of a presentation.

The TED Talk I watched about decoding wolf howls with AI was fascinating and relevant to computer science. It showed how machine learning can be used unexpectedly - like understanding animal communication - and made me appreciate how storytelling can bring complex technology to life. The second video about Ancient Rome was more playful but still packed with information, showing that even educational content can be presented with humor and creativity to hold the audience's attention.

Both presentations demonstrated strong use of visuals, structure, and tone suited for their audiences. I learned that connecting with the audience - through emotion, humor, or a compelling theme - is just as important as the content itself. These lessons will definitely help guide my approach in future video presentations, especially in planning engaging, well-organized content that leaves an impact.