Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Media Literacy Update
Nicole, Darlene and I are doing our media literacy project based on Alcohol on the web. We have already met once to discuss our topic, layout of our lesson plan, and what resources we will need to teach this lesson. We are meeting again tomorrow to gather our information together to see how much we have succesfuly completed so far.
second life
Second life is spreading through colleges and being used in classrooms. Will this resource latch on to middle schools?
http://www.thejournal.com/articles/20363
http://www.thejournal.com/articles/20363
Saturday, May 5, 2007
No more laptops
For some reason, I can not say that I am totally suprised that Liverpool has decided to get rid of their laptops in the classoom. If they do not see any academic improvements, then why continue to invest in such a large purchase?
However, it did not sound as though they were even trying to use the laptops for educational purposes. Have they even heard of Will Richardson? I did not read one thing about a class blog, a class website, students making their own wikis, podcasts, newsletters, enhanced power points (etc). Obviously grades are not going to increase if all students are doing with the laptops are typing papers, checking their email or looking at porn while in school.
No matter what, there will always be that one student who will break through the security and have access to sites which are not appropriate. Although I imagine it would be hard for a teacher to know what every student is doing on their laptop, but where were the adults while students were hacking buisnesses and looking at porn? If you ask me, the only people to blame for the termination of the laptops are the educators. They allowed the situation to get out of hand and they clearly never took a technology course if they don't know how to integrate the internet and computers into their lessons.
It is unfortunate that this is happening because there are so many students that would be incredibly engaged in blogging and having the ability to publish their own content. The school is at fault here. It is as simple as that. I would love to mail them Will Richardson or Friedman's book so they can realize what a huge mistake they have made. They just decreased those students chances of being Untouchables. How sad is that when we are busting our butts to make sure we know how to make our future students are untouchables? They had the tools and they failed.
That school just cost someone their future career.
However, it did not sound as though they were even trying to use the laptops for educational purposes. Have they even heard of Will Richardson? I did not read one thing about a class blog, a class website, students making their own wikis, podcasts, newsletters, enhanced power points (etc). Obviously grades are not going to increase if all students are doing with the laptops are typing papers, checking their email or looking at porn while in school.
No matter what, there will always be that one student who will break through the security and have access to sites which are not appropriate. Although I imagine it would be hard for a teacher to know what every student is doing on their laptop, but where were the adults while students were hacking buisnesses and looking at porn? If you ask me, the only people to blame for the termination of the laptops are the educators. They allowed the situation to get out of hand and they clearly never took a technology course if they don't know how to integrate the internet and computers into their lessons.
It is unfortunate that this is happening because there are so many students that would be incredibly engaged in blogging and having the ability to publish their own content. The school is at fault here. It is as simple as that. I would love to mail them Will Richardson or Friedman's book so they can realize what a huge mistake they have made. They just decreased those students chances of being Untouchables. How sad is that when we are busting our butts to make sure we know how to make our future students are untouchables? They had the tools and they failed.
That school just cost someone their future career.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Video games
Apparently it is true...video games a beneficial!
http://us.i1.yimg.com/videogames.yahoo.com/ongoingfeature?eid=513460&page=0
http://us.i1.yimg.com/videogames.yahoo.com/ongoingfeature?eid=513460&page=0
The "Interview"
First of all, I would take a deep breath and try not to freak out. Being put on the spot is not easy at all.
- The first thing I would do is show the princpal how to create a class blog. I would discuss the benefits of the class having one and the benefits of each student have their own. I would demonstrate how to incorportate educational links into the blogs and explain that the main importance of having the blog is so that learning and communication continues outside of the classroom.
- My next step: Show the principal how to make a newsletter. I would be able to explain how I used this program in college for my classmates to read articles on a conference I attended and well as making a theader view for an English class. I would show all the different ways you can introduce content and why this would be a useful tool for students to use.
- Next : Demonstrate an enhanced power point. Show a variety of tools students can use within this program, how you can add content from the internet into the power point...etc.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Chapter 4 - Hobbs
In the text "Reading the Media" by Renee Hobbs, I think the most important part of the chapter is titled: "The Power of Dialogue".
"Teaching about media and commication didn't work with that kind of predictabilty because students felt confident to bring their own experiences and knowledge into the classroom. They weren't timid."
"...many teachers like to be the experts-the ones doing most of the talking in the classroom about the topics they care about."
"Teaching about media and commication didn't work with that kind of predictabilty because students felt confident to bring their own experiences and knowledge into the classroom. They weren't timid."
- I am not sure if I read this incorrectly, but this section of the paragraph sounds as though Hobbs is feeling negative about this fact. In the even she is being positive about it, isn't this what we want for our students? Don't we want them to be confident in their school work and with what they do in the classroom? Not too long ago we read and article about how to use criticism/constructive criticsm in the classroom and how the students confidence affected their grades. The fact that students are confident with using technology is wonderful because the only reaction from confidence will be positive!
"...many teachers like to be the experts-the ones doing most of the talking in the classroom about the topics they care about."
- This is the wonderful thing about technology! The teachers no longer have to pressure themselves into thinking they need to know everything. Students can finally learn about the things they want and they can control how they learn based on technology resources. Teachers no longer need to be afraid of asking the students questions because they are also becoming the experts in the classroom. Sound familiar? It should!This has been an ongoing topic all semester!
"As a result, teachers relied on their expertise in using critical questioning and articulation techniques."
- This is where we need to be experts. We and other teachers need to allow the students to control the lesson and the classroom. We can further challenge them by asking questions and speaking to them as though they are finally the professionals.
This week's project...
This week in class, Ashley, Theresa and I will be demonstrating an Enhanced Power Point based on the topic of book trailers. The Enhanced Power Point is very tricky to work with that first because as we know with mac computers, nothing appears with just one right click. I really enjoyed making this power point and our group is excited about sharing it with you. For those of you that were in 374 last semester..there is a suprise at the end :)
Media Literacy Website
The teacher's link in the Media Literacy website reminded me very much of a post Darlene made a few weeks ago. She mentioned a movie (?) she saw in which the teacher incorporated hip hop into his lessons to help students remember continents, countries, math problems, etc.
With the amount of students that are tuned into music 24/7 these days, what a great way to gain student's interest and help them learn.
When I was in my 7th grade Language Arts class, I could not remember all of the prepositions for the life of me. My mother taught me all of the words using the 'yankee doodle' song. I still know it until this day. I am proof that this learning technique does work!
The problem with incorporating hip hop or any music for that matter into the classrooms, is that the older generations are not interested in it. They prefer standing in front of the classroom and having students take turns reading paragraphs out of the text. BBBOORRIINNGGG!!!
I already applaud all of us because our students are going to have a ball when we are their teachers. It is amazing how much fun learning can be with technology and I am pleased that using music in the classroom is beginning to be recognized.
With the amount of students that are tuned into music 24/7 these days, what a great way to gain student's interest and help them learn.
When I was in my 7th grade Language Arts class, I could not remember all of the prepositions for the life of me. My mother taught me all of the words using the 'yankee doodle' song. I still know it until this day. I am proof that this learning technique does work!
The problem with incorporating hip hop or any music for that matter into the classrooms, is that the older generations are not interested in it. They prefer standing in front of the classroom and having students take turns reading paragraphs out of the text. BBBOORRIINNGGG!!!
I already applaud all of us because our students are going to have a ball when we are their teachers. It is amazing how much fun learning can be with technology and I am pleased that using music in the classroom is beginning to be recognized.
Buffalo is on board
How many of us began this semester believing that classes would not go paperless or that there is no way schools would be able to afford/integrate technology into the classrooms? Me too. Apparently, schools are getting on board with technology and teachers are feeling positive about the students using all of these resources.
The part of the article which truly touched me was when the author said that students are using technology and"..creating meaning out of the curriculum and their experiences." What teacher could ask for anything more? I am sure almost all of us would have been more interested, engaged and participated more if our classrooms were based upon us being able to move around, converse and create our own projects.
It is terrific that students are finally "creating meaning" out of their work as oppossed to memorizing their notes just to pass a test or completing their readings because they may get called on in class the next day. I finally feel confident and relieved that Buffalo and many other schools, are understanding what we have spent the semester learning and preparing to teach our future students.
The part of the article which truly touched me was when the author said that students are using technology and"..creating meaning out of the curriculum and their experiences." What teacher could ask for anything more? I am sure almost all of us would have been more interested, engaged and participated more if our classrooms were based upon us being able to move around, converse and create our own projects.
It is terrific that students are finally "creating meaning" out of their work as oppossed to memorizing their notes just to pass a test or completing their readings because they may get called on in class the next day. I finally feel confident and relieved that Buffalo and many other schools, are understanding what we have spent the semester learning and preparing to teach our future students.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Schools Banning ipods?
I found this article to be not only very interesting, but not much to my suprise. The reason I am not too shocked that schools want to band certain devices is because when I was in High School (an all girl high school), they went to extreme limits to make sure we couldn't cheat.
For instance:
For instance:
- Our uniform shirt had pockets on them. Girls were making "cheat sheets", putting them in their pockets, and by leaning over the desk in a certain way, could see the sheet.
- Water Bottles : Peal off the seal that goes around the bottle, place the cheat sheet in it, replace the seal. When your bottle of water was on the desk, you could see right into it.
What did my school do? Changed the uniform shirts to have no pockets, beverages and any food had to be placed in our bags and put under pur desk, and our teachers made us place our cell phones in a box at the beginning of the test period.
See why I'm not suprised? Been there, done that.
"Sometimes it takes awhile for teachers and administrators, who come from an older generation, to catch on to the various ways the technology can be used." This is going to be an issue until our generation is in the field because we know all of the tricks, will be aware up new technology, and will know how students can cheat using their devices.
I personally see nothing wrong with schools banning ipods from school because although students who are desperate will find other ways to cheat, this is one of the most easy ways to do it. It's unfortunate that students won't have their music to listen to when they have down time such as Kelsey Nelson mentioned, but I am sure students will find other things to do when they have free time.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Pokinitis = adorable
Very cute post made by Will Richardson about him and his daughter. After reading the idea's he suggested to her: making a book, movie, podcast (etc) about the story she was coming up with, she was not only engaging in conversation about technology with her father, but she was excited about it.
This post made it very clear that if a child can do these activities at home, they can be and most certainly should be doing them in the classroom.
As ELA teachers, it is in our power to expand the minds of our students as much as possible. We need to make sure they are communicating, getting involved in many activities that relate to technology, and are expanding their thoughts, knowledge, and intelligence to as many people as possible. If we cannot accomplish this, than are we really fullfilling our job requirements?
I always think of Friedman's "untouchables". If we do not teach our students how to be untouchables, they never will be and it will be our fault if they don't get the best jobs out there when the resources are right in our hands, right now.
We, the class of 307, are already made into untouchables. These skills and talents can only increase. Let us begin to spread our knowledge.
This post made it very clear that if a child can do these activities at home, they can be and most certainly should be doing them in the classroom.
As ELA teachers, it is in our power to expand the minds of our students as much as possible. We need to make sure they are communicating, getting involved in many activities that relate to technology, and are expanding their thoughts, knowledge, and intelligence to as many people as possible. If we cannot accomplish this, than are we really fullfilling our job requirements?
I always think of Friedman's "untouchables". If we do not teach our students how to be untouchables, they never will be and it will be our fault if they don't get the best jobs out there when the resources are right in our hands, right now.
We, the class of 307, are already made into untouchables. These skills and talents can only increase. Let us begin to spread our knowledge.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Have you Shape-Shifted?
While reading the article: Shape Shifting Portfolios: Millennial Youth, Literacies, And The Game Of Life, I began to recall how much my own portfolio has progressed and changed throughout this semester in 307.
I realize that I now have the benefits of knowing how to use technology tools, how to teach them, how to integrate them into my classroom, and how to relate to my students on a different level because of these advances. Teachers who are knowledgable about technology will have the upper hand against those teachers who are not educated about these resources. I will also be able to perform an example of how these tools are beneficial to students and in the classroom if I were ever asked to do this on the spot. That alone, if you ask me, is impressive.
While reading this article, I kept reminding myself: "the future is now the past" and how Friedman emphasized how competitive this world is now. We need to teach our students how to be "untouchables" and this is a difficult task when some students will not be interested in creating their own shape-shifting portfolios. We cannot force them into doing this activity but we have to encourage them and remind them of the benefits of this and that they will indeed be out there in the field one day against a lot of competition. We have to positively and encouragably (is that even a word?) put the fear of God in them(haha).
The future is already in our hands and we have to do all we can to benefit our students so that they can be successful in this flat world. If we don't do that, then we clearly are not doing our jobs.
I realize that I now have the benefits of knowing how to use technology tools, how to teach them, how to integrate them into my classroom, and how to relate to my students on a different level because of these advances. Teachers who are knowledgable about technology will have the upper hand against those teachers who are not educated about these resources. I will also be able to perform an example of how these tools are beneficial to students and in the classroom if I were ever asked to do this on the spot. That alone, if you ask me, is impressive.
While reading this article, I kept reminding myself: "the future is now the past" and how Friedman emphasized how competitive this world is now. We need to teach our students how to be "untouchables" and this is a difficult task when some students will not be interested in creating their own shape-shifting portfolios. We cannot force them into doing this activity but we have to encourage them and remind them of the benefits of this and that they will indeed be out there in the field one day against a lot of competition. We have to positively and encouragably (is that even a word?) put the fear of God in them(haha).
The future is already in our hands and we have to do all we can to benefit our students so that they can be successful in this flat world. If we don't do that, then we clearly are not doing our jobs.
A Heads Up
I just want to inform the class that I personally will not be posting or commenting anything about the Virginia Tech. Massacre or anything pertaining to it.
The point of me posting this is so that no-one gets offended if I do not respond to something they have written containing any of this information.
I hope my decision is understandable. Thanks!
The point of me posting this is so that no-one gets offended if I do not respond to something they have written containing any of this information.
I hope my decision is understandable. Thanks!
Monday, April 16, 2007
imovie time
Theresa, Ashley, Charity and I are planning on making an imovie. We plan to get together this week to put all of our ideas together since we have already been brainstorming and eventually put our ideas into action. We may need some help from anyone who has experience with making an imovie..::cough, chris, phil, cough::.
When we get together and figure out more of what we will be creating, I will post an updated blog.
When we get together and figure out more of what we will be creating, I will post an updated blog.
Social Computing it is!
According to Will Richardon's post, the University of Michigan now has a degree in social computing. Suprised? You shouldn't be. I think this college is one of the first to offer this!
'The depth of our curriculum in social computing is unparalleled. Rather than a single course as you might find in other programs, we offer a range of in-depth courses in the technologies and applications that are driving the Web 2.0 revolution', says a professor at the university of michigan. I find this pretty impresive because it sounds like students are getting more of a variety, in depth, and getting their money's worth of an education.
The fact that this idea has occurred in one college already reminds me of Friedman's chapters when he discusses that we will be preparing our students for jobs that don't exist yet. Who would have thought of colleges narrowing in on classes in social computing? My point exactly. Frightening enough, the future is already becoming the past.
One of Will's blog posts that I found most intriguing had to do with a school that plans to reinvent itself within the next five years. Some of the ideas are:
'The depth of our curriculum in social computing is unparalleled. Rather than a single course as you might find in other programs, we offer a range of in-depth courses in the technologies and applications that are driving the Web 2.0 revolution', says a professor at the university of michigan. I find this pretty impresive because it sounds like students are getting more of a variety, in depth, and getting their money's worth of an education.
The fact that this idea has occurred in one college already reminds me of Friedman's chapters when he discusses that we will be preparing our students for jobs that don't exist yet. Who would have thought of colleges narrowing in on classes in social computing? My point exactly. Frightening enough, the future is already becoming the past.
One of Will's blog posts that I found most intriguing had to do with a school that plans to reinvent itself within the next five years. Some of the ideas are:
- Teachers that have freedom to learn and feel supported and not fearful.
- Students that have more freedom to learn and are drivers of their own learning.
- One with more opportunities for global learning.
- One where the desks aren’t in rows.
I am sure to many of you this all sounds familiar because it to me as well. We are already experiencing desks in circles in our English classes now, in 307 alone we are gaining the opportunity of global learning, and we often discuss that teachers are learners as well in the classroom. We can't be afraid to make a mistake in fron of our students and we have to allow them to take over control.
April 15 quiz continued..
What I found most interesting about the 'TECHNORATI report' were the bulleted facts and the very colorful graphs.
I like reading graphs and find them very beneficial, but the different highlighted information and the fact that the graphs were even available made the reading much easier to understand. Many students, such as myself, get so caught up in the text that eventually our eyes are just going over the words and we are not interpreting what we are "reading". Being able to see pictures or graphs help to keep me focused on the reading and to actually understand what I am reading.
I am shocked about the facts such as:
-70 million weblogs
-1.5 million posts per day
-17 posts per second
-Tracking 230 million posts with tags or categories
-2.5 million blogs posted at least one tagged post in February
I cannot believe that this many people are online, blogging, interacting and communicating every day! If this is the number of people engaging in conversation now, imagine what the number will be when all schools are online and using technology in the classrooms! It's unreal! Classrooms are being reinvented right under our noses!
I like reading graphs and find them very beneficial, but the different highlighted information and the fact that the graphs were even available made the reading much easier to understand. Many students, such as myself, get so caught up in the text that eventually our eyes are just going over the words and we are not interpreting what we are "reading". Being able to see pictures or graphs help to keep me focused on the reading and to actually understand what I am reading.
I am shocked about the facts such as:
-70 million weblogs
-1.5 million posts per day
-17 posts per second
-Tracking 230 million posts with tags or categories
-2.5 million blogs posted at least one tagged post in February
I cannot believe that this many people are online, blogging, interacting and communicating every day! If this is the number of people engaging in conversation now, imagine what the number will be when all schools are online and using technology in the classrooms! It's unreal! Classrooms are being reinvented right under our noses!
Blog Quiz ~ April 15
The Baltimore County Public Schools are officially "on board" and "get it" as we have been discussing all semester. I think that with our generations imparticular, we will be able to stress the importance of technologies in classrooms to our schools and use the Baltimore schools as a prime example of technology benefits.
As discussed at the Dealing In The Digital session at the DATE conference, the definition of literacy is changing. Baltimore county schools are showing in one particular way just how that definition is changing. Literacy is not based on all printed text now, it's also visual. The present generations are becoming more and more visual learners thanks to the access of technology. Knowing this, schools need to keep up with how students are learning and tv's, camera's, computers (etc) are the best way to keep up now a days.
2 semesters ago I went to ASAP to get help on study habits. The first step they offered was for me to take the VARK survey. Results showed that I am a tactile learner. This means that I need to do hands on work in order to understand/learn what is being taught to me. I personally think that this goes hand in hand with technology. I have to type, use certain programs, and use different tools in order to do our class projects and this has helped me with my "hands on" learning.
Even with all of the benefits of technology, I can't help but wonder what happens to the students who have learning disabilities or mental disabilities. Do they get left behind because technology may become the only way to teach in classrooms?
As discussed at the Dealing In The Digital session at the DATE conference, the definition of literacy is changing. Baltimore county schools are showing in one particular way just how that definition is changing. Literacy is not based on all printed text now, it's also visual. The present generations are becoming more and more visual learners thanks to the access of technology. Knowing this, schools need to keep up with how students are learning and tv's, camera's, computers (etc) are the best way to keep up now a days.
2 semesters ago I went to ASAP to get help on study habits. The first step they offered was for me to take the VARK survey. Results showed that I am a tactile learner. This means that I need to do hands on work in order to understand/learn what is being taught to me. I personally think that this goes hand in hand with technology. I have to type, use certain programs, and use different tools in order to do our class projects and this has helped me with my "hands on" learning.
Even with all of the benefits of technology, I can't help but wonder what happens to the students who have learning disabilities or mental disabilities. Do they get left behind because technology may become the only way to teach in classrooms?
Saturday, April 14, 2007
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