Saturday, December 10, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
WebQuest Evaluations
Altitudinist
Your Impressions
WebQuest | Strengths | Weaknesses |
Grow School Greens | Requires students to research and synthesize information Allows for students to be creative in coming up with ideas and in presenting them Students will have to take a stance on whether or not they think this project is worth while | |
Where is My Hero? | The Students create a poster dealing with the facts they’ve learned | Students will be required to focus on biographical facts Students do not have much creative allowance in coming up with their definition of a hero Students much select from pre-chosen list of heroes Students have to recall facts about the heroes |
Underground Railroad | Requires students to do extensive research and to formulate their own opinion and thoughts then present them. Students have to synthesize all of their information based on their roll and formulate how they would respond. Students are exposed to multiple perspectives when sharing with their group members Instead of just memorizing names and facts, students must read information and determine what it means and how it would have affected the people and the world | |
Ice Cream | Students get to be creative in the design, advertisement, and flavor of the ice cream | Students will have to memorize process of making ice cream |
Ancient Egypt | The students get to be creative in designing the brochure. The students will read about their topics and decide what is important and what should be included | The students do not get to come up with their own topic for the brochure The students are required to look up a certain number of facts and repeat them on the brochure as opposed to forming opinions on what they’ve read. |
I think the two best WebQuests are Grow School Greens and Underground Railroad. Both of these require the students to be creative and put their own personality into the projects. Also, the students will look up factual information, but they have to determine what this information means and how it effects the project.
I think the worst two WebQuests are Ancient Egypt and Where is My Hero. Where is My Hero was much too structured. The students were not able to pick their own hero nor were they allowed to come up with their own definition of what a hero is. Ancient Egypt did not allow students enough freedom in what to research about Egypt. Also, the students were required to find a certain number of facts and copy them to their brochures.
As the Altittudinist, the best WebQuests to me allows the students to be creative in their discovery and processing of information. They should have to do more than just read and repeat facts. They should have to find the information and process it, develop their own ideas and opinions about the information, and be able to present or discuss these views. The worst were the ones the just required to students to find information and regurgitate it. They did not require students to analyze the information they found or to critically think about the problem or the issue.
Our groups top and worst WebQuests:
Top: Grow School Greens, Ancient Egypt
Worst: Where is My Hero?, Underground Railroad
Thursday, November 10, 2011
DJE 12
Quote: "We must teach communication comprehensively, in all its forms. Today we work with the written or spoken word as the primary form of communication. But we also need to understand the importance of graphics, music, and cinema, which are just as powerful and in some ways more deeply intertwined with young people's culture. We live and work in a visually sophisticated world, so we must be sophisticated in using all the forms of communication, not just the written word."
Reaction: I strongly agree with Mr. Lucas' point of view on the education system and the steps that need to be taken to improve it. Though written and spoken communication is obviously very important, it is an archaic practice to teach only those things. As we have learned in this class, countless tools are available to teachers and students, many at no cost, and there is no reason that we should not take every advantage of them. We live in the 21st century, an era of constant change, new ideas, collaboration, and progress. Why is this not evident in the classroom? If the point of education is to prepare and inspire students to be sucessful in todays world, then the classroom should be at the forefront of new technological advances. I know that as a student and a young person, I respond strongly to music and movies, sometimes more so than the written word, and I am an avid reader. For students who are not so fond of literature, I think it is extremely important that we use other methods of communication to get them interested and that we teach them other way to communicate. Communication is a tool that students will use for the rest of their lives and they must know how to wield this tool in order to be sucessful in life. The more ways a student is capable of communicating, the better.
Resource: Daly, James. "Life on the Screen: Visual Literacy in Education | Edutopia." K-12 Education & Learning Innovations with Proven Strategies that Work | Edutopia. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2011. http://www.edutopia.org/lucas-visual-literacy.
Related Resource:
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
DJE 11
The argument in this article is against a recently passed Illinois state law that would ban any and all sex offenders from "using a social-networking service defined as an 'Internet Web site containing profile Web pages...that include the names or nicknames of such members, photographs...or any other personal or personally identifying information.'" Larry Magid, the author of the article, believes that this law should not have been passed because it could potentially have negative effects. He believes that part of rehabilitating sex offenders is assimilating them with society and helping them find productive careers and he thinks that social networking sites and such are necessary to this process. He also argues that this law puts too much focus on those who have been convicted as opposed to looking for those who have yet to be caught.
I have always had an issue with how we classify sex offenders. We lump them all into the same category and therefore assume that anyone listed as a sex offender is a terrible rapist or molester. This thought would make anyone want to ban them from even living near a child, let alone being able to access children through the Internet. However, as this article states, many people listed on the sex offender registry never actually committed a crime against a child. Some did something as harmless as streaking. Now, is streaking okay in public, probably not, but does someone who streaks deserve to be put in the same category as people who physically and mentally abuse children? Absolutely not. Also, I agree with the idea of trying to rehabilitate those offenders who are capable of seeking help and becoming productive members of society. I think that they should be heavily monitored but I do think that they should be given the help they need in order to never harm another child. In the world we live in today, social networking and news networks are absolutely necessary to assimilate with others in society and even to keep a job. Just think of how many networks we have become members of for this class alone. Let alone how many times you have gotten a hold of a coworker or even a boss via facebook or twitter. I think that there are certain offenders who should not have access, such as those who actually used the Internet to commit a crime against a child, however I also think that with monitoring, people who have served there time and are now trying to become productive members of society should have a chance to prove themselves and should not be kept from social networking.
Magid cites a number of organizations and task forces, such as the Crimes Against Children Research Center and the Internet Safety Technical Task Force, that have collected data that actually shows that very few adults are actually successful in harming a youth through the web. He uses one very convincing statistic, "A January 2009 analysis of Pennsylvania cases by the Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use found, during a four-year period, that 'only eight incidents involved actual teen victims with whom the Internet was used to form a relationship,' compared to 9,934 children who were sexually abused in a single year in that state." Though sexual predators on the Internet have been made out to be a huge deal, this shows that there actually aren't very many incidents in this specific type of sexual abuse.
I have always had an issue with how we classify sex offenders. We lump them all into the same category and therefore assume that anyone listed as a sex offender is a terrible rapist or molester. This thought would make anyone want to ban them from even living near a child, let alone being able to access children through the Internet. However, as this article states, many people listed on the sex offender registry never actually committed a crime against a child. Some did something as harmless as streaking. Now, is streaking okay in public, probably not, but does someone who streaks deserve to be put in the same category as people who physically and mentally abuse children? Absolutely not. Also, I agree with the idea of trying to rehabilitate those offenders who are capable of seeking help and becoming productive members of society. I think that they should be heavily monitored but I do think that they should be given the help they need in order to never harm another child. In the world we live in today, social networking and news networks are absolutely necessary to assimilate with others in society and even to keep a job. Just think of how many networks we have become members of for this class alone. Let alone how many times you have gotten a hold of a coworker or even a boss via facebook or twitter. I think that there are certain offenders who should not have access, such as those who actually used the Internet to commit a crime against a child, however I also think that with monitoring, people who have served there time and are now trying to become productive members of society should have a chance to prove themselves and should not be kept from social networking.
Flying Spaghetti Monster
A) Start with the main page. Does it have any cleanup banners that have been placed there to indicate problems with the article?
1.This article or section has multiple issues. No.
2.This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. No.
3.The neutrality of this article is disputed. No.
4.The factual accuracy of this article is disputed. No.
5.This needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone or spelling. No.
6.This may contain material not appropriate for an encyclopedia. No.
7.This article only describes one highly specialized aspect of its associated subject. No.
8.This article requires authentication or verification by an expert. No.
9.This article or section needs to be updated. No.
10.This article may not provide balanced geographical coverage on a region. No.
11.This is missing citations or needs footnotes. No.
12.This article does not cite any references or sources. No.
B) Read through the article and see if it meets the following requirements:
13.Is it written in a clear and organized way? Yes
14.Is the tone neutral (not taking sides)? The tone of the article does not take sides; however, the article is about an argument and is describing one side of it. However, it is all about the facts and ideas of that side of the argument, not if that side is correct or not.
15.Are all important facts referenced (you're told where they come from)? Yes. There is documented evidence and other linked sources to show where the information came from.
16.Does the information provided seem complete or does it look like there are gaps (or just one side of the story)? The information is complete. It is just one side of the argument, but it references the other side so you know that the other side of the argument exists and you can follow links to go research it.
1.This article or section has multiple issues. No.
2.This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. No.
3.The neutrality of this article is disputed. No.
4.The factual accuracy of this article is disputed. No.
5.This needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone or spelling. No.
6.This may contain material not appropriate for an encyclopedia. No.
7.This article only describes one highly specialized aspect of its associated subject. No.
8.This article requires authentication or verification by an expert. No.
9.This article or section needs to be updated. No.
10.This article may not provide balanced geographical coverage on a region. No.
11.This is missing citations or needs footnotes. No.
12.This article does not cite any references or sources. No.
B) Read through the article and see if it meets the following requirements:
13.Is it written in a clear and organized way? Yes
14.Is the tone neutral (not taking sides)? The tone of the article does not take sides; however, the article is about an argument and is describing one side of it. However, it is all about the facts and ideas of that side of the argument, not if that side is correct or not.
15.Are all important facts referenced (you're told where they come from)? Yes. There is documented evidence and other linked sources to show where the information came from.
16.Does the information provided seem complete or does it look like there are gaps (or just one side of the story)? The information is complete. It is just one side of the argument, but it references the other side so you know that the other side of the argument exists and you can follow links to go research it.
My Opinion of Wikipedia
I always had a positive opinion of Wikipedia as a sort of starting point for research and ideas. I agree that Wiki shouldn't be used as a source for research papers because anyone can edit the information so there is no way to be absolutely positive that the information is reliable and unbiased. I understand why some teachers feel the need to remove Wiki from the classroom entirely, because some students will take advantage and only get their information from Wiki, but I still think that those issues can be dealt with and that Wiki has a place in the classroom. In society, the only thing I think is negative about Wikipedia is that some people don't realize that they should not believe what they read on Wiki to be true. It's a good source of information but the reader needs to be responsible and do extra research before forming their opinions.
In my class, I would encourage students to start researching their ideas with Wiki. I think it is a good way for students to get an overview of what they think they want to research and decide if they think they can write a good paper on their topic. Also, I think it is a good place to find other, more academic sources that they would actually be able to cite in their papers.
In my class, I would encourage students to start researching their ideas with Wiki. I think it is a good way for students to get an overview of what they think they want to research and decide if they think they can write a good paper on their topic. Also, I think it is a good place to find other, more academic sources that they would actually be able to cite in their papers.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Wikipedia
a. What is Wikipedia? Wikipedia is a web-based encyclopedia project. It is multilingual and run by the non profit organization Wikimedia Foundation.
b. How would you answer the question posed in this piece “How reliable can a source be when anyone can edit it?” The answer would differ depending on who edited the post and how much knowledge they had of the subject. If the leading scientist in a field edited a post about his field, then it would likely be very reliable, but if a mechanic tried to edit it then it likely would not be. In order to use Wikipedia you have to be able to decide these things for yourself and research the topic from other sources to figure out what is and isn't reliable.
c. Who do the creators of Wikipedia place their trust in when it comes to weeding out misinformation? The wisdom of the crowds. It would be nice to think that everyone possesses the knowledge and know how to weed out misinformation, but this isn't the case.
d. Why did founder Larry Sanger leave Wikipedia? He believed that it should give more authority to experts to allow for more credible information.
e. What would abuse or vandalism look like on a Wikipedia page? Obvious misinformation, anonymous posters that don't identify their credentials, people writing mean or hateful things that obviously have no standing and nothing to do with the topic.
f. What do the statistics quoted in the third paragraph of this piece reveal? People still use Wikipedia and they use it frequently. People also still see it as a useful platform for sending and receiving information.
g. Why do you think Wikipedia is so successful? I think it is an easy way to access information that other websites do not talk about. For example, people with insider information on government activities can post it to Wikipedia, even though the government website might not want to share that information.
h. Why might Wikipedia’s creators not want to accept advertising? The point of Wikipedia is to collect unbiased information that people can look for and learn from, they don't want extremely biased adds all over the page encouraging people to think or do things a certain way.
i. How does Wikiscanner help increase the reliability of Wikipedia entries? It traced the IP addresses of the computer from which the information was posted, so that anonymous posters could be checked out. So if a government agency secretly posted biased information, you could find out and know that they were telling the information in a way to make you agree or disagree with them.
b. How would you answer the question posed in this piece “How reliable can a source be when anyone can edit it?” The answer would differ depending on who edited the post and how much knowledge they had of the subject. If the leading scientist in a field edited a post about his field, then it would likely be very reliable, but if a mechanic tried to edit it then it likely would not be. In order to use Wikipedia you have to be able to decide these things for yourself and research the topic from other sources to figure out what is and isn't reliable.
c. Who do the creators of Wikipedia place their trust in when it comes to weeding out misinformation? The wisdom of the crowds. It would be nice to think that everyone possesses the knowledge and know how to weed out misinformation, but this isn't the case.
d. Why did founder Larry Sanger leave Wikipedia? He believed that it should give more authority to experts to allow for more credible information.
e. What would abuse or vandalism look like on a Wikipedia page? Obvious misinformation, anonymous posters that don't identify their credentials, people writing mean or hateful things that obviously have no standing and nothing to do with the topic.
f. What do the statistics quoted in the third paragraph of this piece reveal? People still use Wikipedia and they use it frequently. People also still see it as a useful platform for sending and receiving information.
g. Why do you think Wikipedia is so successful? I think it is an easy way to access information that other websites do not talk about. For example, people with insider information on government activities can post it to Wikipedia, even though the government website might not want to share that information.
h. Why might Wikipedia’s creators not want to accept advertising? The point of Wikipedia is to collect unbiased information that people can look for and learn from, they don't want extremely biased adds all over the page encouraging people to think or do things a certain way.
i. How does Wikiscanner help increase the reliability of Wikipedia entries? It traced the IP addresses of the computer from which the information was posted, so that anonymous posters could be checked out. So if a government agency secretly posted biased information, you could find out and know that they were telling the information in a way to make you agree or disagree with them.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
DJE 10
Quote: "We know now that dyslexia is about so much more than just mixing up letters — that many dyslexics have difficulty with rhythm and meter and word retrieval, that they struggle to recognize voices and sounds. It’s my profound hope that our schools can use findings like these to better teach children who struggle to read, to help them overcome their limitations, and to help them understand that it’s not their fault."
Reaction: I really enjoyed this article. In this class we talk a lot about students in general struggling to work with certain media forms but we don't always think about the students who are struggling with the basics such as reading and writing. It is hard to believe how little we knew about different types of learning disorders and how little research was done. Most kids got no help at all and, as was stated in the article, had to "pretend not to be stupid." These kids of course are not stupid, they just simply need to be taught how to learn in a way that works for them and may need some extra lessons and help. I think research like this is extremely important because it not only helps students being affected by these specific learning disorders but could lead to new discoveries about other disorders and better ways to teach struggling students.
Resource: SCHULTZ, PHILIP. "With Dyslexia, Words Failed Me and Then Saved Me - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/04/opinion/sunday/with-dyslexia-words-failed-me-and-then-saved-me.html?_r=1>.
Related Resource: http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/learning/learning_disabilities.html
Reaction: I really enjoyed this article. In this class we talk a lot about students in general struggling to work with certain media forms but we don't always think about the students who are struggling with the basics such as reading and writing. It is hard to believe how little we knew about different types of learning disorders and how little research was done. Most kids got no help at all and, as was stated in the article, had to "pretend not to be stupid." These kids of course are not stupid, they just simply need to be taught how to learn in a way that works for them and may need some extra lessons and help. I think research like this is extremely important because it not only helps students being affected by these specific learning disorders but could lead to new discoveries about other disorders and better ways to teach struggling students.
Resource: SCHULTZ, PHILIP. "With Dyslexia, Words Failed Me and Then Saved Me - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/04/opinion/sunday/with-dyslexia-words-failed-me-and-then-saved-me.html?_r=1>.
Related Resource: http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/learning/learning_disabilities.html
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Website Evaluation
Website: http://www.thedogisland.com/index.html
Who?
Has someone taken responsibility for the content of this Web site? No. Two people are named as being responsible for the idea, but no author of the website itself can be found.
Is information about the author or organization clearly stated? No. Though their is a lot of information about the organization, much of it is written with poor grammar and in a very unprofessional manner.
Are there any links to in-depth information about the author or organization? No.
What?
Is emotion used as a means of persuasion? Absolutely. The website wants you to feel very bad about how dogs live and shows pictures of playful animals to make you think that dogs are happier on this island.
Does the site offer more than one viewpoint? No. In fact, it is stated more than once that they think the only right thing to do is to send your dog to Dog Island. Their answer to every question is "Send you dog to Dog Island."
Are there links to other or alternative viewpoints? No. Most of the links posted on the website have to do with other "free dog" ideas.
When?
Is it important that the information you're looking for be absolutely current? Yes. If someone bought into this idea and thought the island was real and wanted to send their dog to dog island, but this website was actually made years ago and the information is no longer relevant, then they would wind up shipping their dog off to a place that doesn't exist.
Is a reference date provided to show when the material was put online, or when it was last updated? The website is copyrighted for the years 2003-2010. The site also has a weather box that is updated daily, but it is not obvious whether or not the website itself has been recently updated.
Do the links work? Yes, the links work.
Summary
Honestly, I could have evaluated the credibility of this website without answering these questions simply because the idea itself is so unbelieveable. However, after answering these questions, it becomes even more obvious that this is not a website you should trust and certainly not one that you should send money or your pet to. This site is definitely a scam and is no where near legitmate. It actually has a section on the directions that tells you to go to Tallahasse, look up all the dog groomers, figure out the pattern of their names, then start putting red tape on their business doors, and someone from Dog Island will approach you if you seem to be doing this correctly. This page is just unbelievable.
Who?
Has someone taken responsibility for the content of this Web site? No. Two people are named as being responsible for the idea, but no author of the website itself can be found.
Is information about the author or organization clearly stated? No. Though their is a lot of information about the organization, much of it is written with poor grammar and in a very unprofessional manner.
Are there any links to in-depth information about the author or organization? No.
What?
Is emotion used as a means of persuasion? Absolutely. The website wants you to feel very bad about how dogs live and shows pictures of playful animals to make you think that dogs are happier on this island.
Does the site offer more than one viewpoint? No. In fact, it is stated more than once that they think the only right thing to do is to send your dog to Dog Island. Their answer to every question is "Send you dog to Dog Island."
Are there links to other or alternative viewpoints? No. Most of the links posted on the website have to do with other "free dog" ideas.
When?
Is it important that the information you're looking for be absolutely current? Yes. If someone bought into this idea and thought the island was real and wanted to send their dog to dog island, but this website was actually made years ago and the information is no longer relevant, then they would wind up shipping their dog off to a place that doesn't exist.
Is a reference date provided to show when the material was put online, or when it was last updated? The website is copyrighted for the years 2003-2010. The site also has a weather box that is updated daily, but it is not obvious whether or not the website itself has been recently updated.
Do the links work? Yes, the links work.
Summary
Honestly, I could have evaluated the credibility of this website without answering these questions simply because the idea itself is so unbelieveable. However, after answering these questions, it becomes even more obvious that this is not a website you should trust and certainly not one that you should send money or your pet to. This site is definitely a scam and is no where near legitmate. It actually has a section on the directions that tells you to go to Tallahasse, look up all the dog groomers, figure out the pattern of their names, then start putting red tape on their business doors, and someone from Dog Island will approach you if you seem to be doing this correctly. This page is just unbelievable.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Facebookers Unite (DEJ #9)
Quote: "The relative anonymity of being on-line promotes self-expression. In addition, the relative absence of non-verbal cues (e.g. attractiveness) and the ability to link with others with similar interests, values and beliefs facilitates the formation of relationships based on deeper connections such as shared values and beliefs."
Reaction: I never really bought into the idea that social networking was going to be the end of all face to face communication between people. I think people still know the difference between spending actual time together and virtual time together. However, I never thought about social networking as actually being beneficial to people's social relationships. How many times have you not spoken to someone or decided not to be friends with them simply based on the way they look? How many times have you not said what you were really think or done what you wanted because people were looking at you? Just think about that. The internet allows you to connect to and relate to people that you may have never thought to have talked to in person. Instead of worrying about the clothes or makeup they are wearing, you are more focused on their personality, thoughts, and opinons. I don't think this means that face to face interaction has less value, but a person's social relationships (existing and new) can certainly be enhanced by communicating via the internet and social networks.
Resource: Owens, L. (2009, April 23). Internet & Anti-Social Behavior Theory Unfounded: Facebook, MySpace, Online: Research Refutes Cyber Socializing Fears | Suite101.com. Psychology Suite 101. Retrieved October 20, 2011, from http://laura-owens.suite101.com/internet--anti-social-behavior-theory-unfounded-a111897
Related Resource: http://socialmediatoday.com/dirktherabbit/226552/social-media-increases-face-face-interaction
Reaction: I never really bought into the idea that social networking was going to be the end of all face to face communication between people. I think people still know the difference between spending actual time together and virtual time together. However, I never thought about social networking as actually being beneficial to people's social relationships. How many times have you not spoken to someone or decided not to be friends with them simply based on the way they look? How many times have you not said what you were really think or done what you wanted because people were looking at you? Just think about that. The internet allows you to connect to and relate to people that you may have never thought to have talked to in person. Instead of worrying about the clothes or makeup they are wearing, you are more focused on their personality, thoughts, and opinons. I don't think this means that face to face interaction has less value, but a person's social relationships (existing and new) can certainly be enhanced by communicating via the internet and social networks.
Resource: Owens, L. (2009, April 23). Internet & Anti-Social Behavior Theory Unfounded: Facebook, MySpace, Online: Research Refutes Cyber Socializing Fears | Suite101.com. Psychology Suite 101. Retrieved October 20, 2011, from http://laura-owens.suite101.com/internet--anti-social-behavior-theory-unfounded-a111897
Related Resource: http://socialmediatoday.com/dirktherabbit/226552/social-media-increases-face-face-interaction
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Web Tools 2.0: Trailmeme
The Web Tool that I chose is called Trailmeme. It is a web trail making tool. A person finds different websites that relate to a subject and then links them together in a "trail" of sorts. So for example, if you wanted to look up information on The Beatles, you could go to Trailmeme and see if someone has created a trail about them. The trail might start with a website that talks about who The Beatles are, then go to a website that talks about their albums and concerts, then eventually get to a website that explains how The Beatles came to an end. I think this would be a great tool to use with my English students. In English, I think it is very important to teach students how to do accurate research and to explain and argue things intelligently and clearly. Teachers usually accomplish this with ten page research papers and a forever long works cited page; however, I think Trailmeme would be a great way to teach all of these concepts without forcing students to do an assignment they dislike. I think students would really enjoy this assignment and it would allow me to evaluate what they consider to be reliable sources. They would have to find references for each aspect of thier research topic and organize them in a clear way that flows through the topic. Before using this tool, I would have to talk to students about posting inappropriate websites, making sure they read everything, and I would have to be careful about inappropriate adds showing up on the websites that students have no control over.
http://trailmeme.com/
http://trailmeme.com/
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
My Teaching Philosophy Voki
It is important to include technology in education because it has become a mainstream tool in the work force. It would be impossible for a student to be expected to be successful in later life if they have not been properly exposed to and taught to use technology. Technology can be used to get students excited about lessons by making them more interesting. As an English teacher I would have students create digital stories as opposed to writing a lenghty research paper, use PollEverywhere in order to post and respond to student's writing while remaining anonymous, and incorporate different forms of media (movies, music, art) that relate to the literature that we are learning.
Voki Lesson Plan: http://l-www.voki.com/open_pdf.php?file=Animal Farm and Voki.pdf
Sunday, October 9, 2011
DJE #7
Quote: "Choosing appropriate search engines, following relevant links, and judging the validity of information are difficult challenges, not only for students of all ages, but also for most adults, including many teachers. More than half the adults surveyed in Great Britain were not able to use search engines or databases at a basic level (Buckingham, 2007). In the United States, almost two-thirds of a national sample of adults doing online searches were not aware of the difference between paid and unpaid search results and believed that search engines provide fair and unbiased results for any given search (Fallows, 2005)."
Response: This quote really struck me. I knew that there were many adults with limitied profiency in computer skills, but I had no idea just how many. I think it is extremely important that adults, and certainly teachers, learn these skills and learn more about how the online world really works. There is just no way that a teacher can be expected to incorporate media literacy skills into the classroom if he or she does not possess those skills. It is scary to think that many students have no clue about how to decide whether or not a source is reliable and how to recognize online marketing schemes that they encounter everyday. These skills are extremely important if we want our students to be able to take advantage of, interpret, and learn from the mass amounts of information that is literally right at their finger tips. Education needs to go beyond just telling students to stay away from Wikipedia. Students need to be critical thinkers when it comes to the internet.
Resource: David, Jane L.. "Educational Leadership." ASCD. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Oct. 2011. http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar09/vol66/num06/Teaching-Media-Literacy.aspx.
Related Resouce:
Response: This quote really struck me. I knew that there were many adults with limitied profiency in computer skills, but I had no idea just how many. I think it is extremely important that adults, and certainly teachers, learn these skills and learn more about how the online world really works. There is just no way that a teacher can be expected to incorporate media literacy skills into the classroom if he or she does not possess those skills. It is scary to think that many students have no clue about how to decide whether or not a source is reliable and how to recognize online marketing schemes that they encounter everyday. These skills are extremely important if we want our students to be able to take advantage of, interpret, and learn from the mass amounts of information that is literally right at their finger tips. Education needs to go beyond just telling students to stay away from Wikipedia. Students need to be critical thinkers when it comes to the internet.
Resource: David, Jane L.. "Educational Leadership." ASCD. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Oct. 2011. http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar09/vol66/num06/Teaching-Media-Literacy.aspx.
Related Resouce:
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Deconstruction The Terminator
1. The first thing I noticed was how buff he is and I also noticed the colors that are being used and how large all of the text on the cover is. He looks very intense and strong. It's almost like he's about to get in a fight. He also sort of looks proud, because his head is tilted upward and he has a very tough look on his face. The cover is obviously geared toward young men.
2. When looking at this, I feel like he is very strong and intense. It almost makes me feel like he is fake because he is so huge.
3. I think this person is of some importance and that he is obviously being praised or held in high esteem for his buffness. I think he is serious, because he is not smiling or really showing much emotion at all. I also think he might be a little cocky because he is flexing his muscles and showing off how strong he is.
4. The way he looks influences how I feel about him in a few ways. He looks serious and even stern so I feel that he is intense and even proud. If he were smiling or having some fun, I might take him as a less intense person who is just enjoying himself. The seriousness of the colors and the text and of his picture are all just a little too much for me.
5. The points of view represented are that of body builders and fitness fanatics. The entire cover is all about being beyond tip top shape and having bulky muscles. It makes you think that if you read these articles and follow these tips, then you'll be able to look like a body builder just like Arnold. The view of Arnold is not represented (whether or not he supports this magazine and it's tips or how he got so big) and also the view of people who are not interested in becoming muscle machines is ommited.
2. I feel like he looks fake, but that could just be my own prejudice's against politicians. He has a big smile on and clothes that hide is huge muscles and make him look slim and serious and he has his hair done and is addressing the world through his pose. That is just not the Arnold that everyone knows and it is obvious to me that he is trying to fit into a category in order to get votes.
3. I think this person should try harder to be himself and focus on his politcal plans rather than try to change his image so that people will vote for him.
4. The way he looks influences me in a negative way as I have said, however, other people would probably like the clean cut look and the typical politcian dress and attitude. People might say that he looks like he is serious about being govenor and is mature.
5. A political point of view is represented. The magazine is geared toward those who are interested in politics and wants people to view Arnold as a serious man who is just like anybody else, not a body building movie star who does not actually live anywhere near an everyday life. The colors used and the pose he is in are all to make people see him as a serious and patriotic man.
6. The differences between the two covers are immense. The first cover uses bright colors, huge fonts, and a very intense, almost sensual picture to get your attention. The other uses dark, serious colors and makes Arnold look more like other people so that the everyday man will want to pick up the magazine and read the article. The angle of the picture in the first magazine is looking up at Arnold, which makes him appear to be even bigger and puts him in a power stance, while the second magazine has him sitting down and making direct eye contact with the camera, which makes people feel as if he is speaking to and thinking about them specifically. In the first cover, Arnold's arms are crossed and you can't see his eyes but his head is tilted away from the camera, as if he is just too cool to be botherd with someone as puny as you, but if you read this magazine you'll be just as cool as him. In the second cover he is trying to be the one that is an average Joe. He wears a bright smile, has his hair done, wears nice clothes and looks right at you, because, hey, he's just another citizen.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Critical Readers (DJE #6)
Quote: "Visual literacy is a learned “reading” of images. Semiotics is the study of how the reading of signs and symbols together communicate complicated ideas in the form of codes (Lester, 2000). Just as basic textual literacy uses vocabulary, metaphors,and genres, visual literacy employs colors, icons, and various media to communicate ideas and feelings to
readers. Grounded in the senses and surrounded by a context, both basic and visual literacy rely on active construction
of meaning through a process of interpreting codes and signs."
Reaction: I think what struck me most about this quote at first is the fact that it states that the ideas and concepts presented visually form complicated messages. It is easy to look a t a magazine cover or a news article with a picture and think that you know and understand what you just saw, but in reality, it all forms a very complicated idea that takes time and effort to fully comprehend. It is important that teachers realize this because it is difficult for students to understand these messages even if they know how to decode them and research them. The message is not clearly stated in words and therefore there is a lot of room for interpretation, especially because media sources know how to edit photos and stories to make the reader think certain things. I never though of visual literacy in this way. It is very important to recognize colors, symbols, signs etc.. as the vocabulary and context clues of visual media. Just as a student can not be expected to understand a story if he or she does not know the vocabulary, a student can not be expected to draw insightful and meaningful conclusions from visual media if he or she does not know what all of the different elements mean separately and what they mean when used all together. In teaching visual literacy, teachers need to start with the basics (what certain colors mean, or why certain symbols are placed in certain ways) in order for students to build on those skills and eventually be able to decode and interpret the visual messages that they see every day.
Resource: Abilock, D. (2003, Nov. - Dec.). A Seven-Power Lens on Multimedia Literacy. Multimedia Schools, 1, 31-35.
Related Resource: http://www.medialit.org/ This is an entire website and group dedicated to media literacy
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Photo #2
Photo 1 gives me much more confidence in Obama's leadership because it is showing him being directly involved in the situation and doing something about it as opposed to just sitting in his office being told about what others are doing to fix it.
Photo #1
This photo makes me wonder how quickly Obama made it down to the spill and if he was the one to take control or if he worked with a team of people. The caption says he's seizing the claims process, but it looks to me as though he is working with a lot of people. I think that's good because a huge problem like the BP Oil Spill requires more than one mind.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
We're All Artists (DJE 5)
Quote: How do we facilitate the coming age of art in our schools?
1. Rename art and get subversive. First-and I am only half-kidding-we need to rename art. The word comes with too much baggage. Being an artist implies a life of penury, emotional pain, and public misunderstanding. We need to demystify the nature of art and see it all around us, from the designs that underlie our tables and automobiles, to the aesthetics that imbue our Web sites, to the public sculptures that turn a building from a structure into a monument of public expression.
Reaction: Though a name can seem so trivial, I think Ohler really has a point here. There are a lot of words in the English language that come with a negative connotation. One example is the word lonely. If someone says that they are lonely then everyone assumes that they must be sad and in need of companionship, however; if someone were to say that they were independent instead of lonely, then people would think "good for them" because independent has a positive connotation. Art, in a sense, has almost become a four letter word, especially in the public school system. Administrators see it as a useless program that takes away from the budget, and more and more parents and less concerned with art and more concerned with the core classes. This is because when they think of art, they think of crazy artists and paintings, sculpture and other skills that they don't think will help their child get a job. Let's face it, not many parents are pushing their kids to become no-income struggling artists. However, what people need to realize is that art is many different things, including architechture, speaking, writing, and of course all of the countless forms of digital art. Art is a necessary skill for today's market and if it continues to be seen as useless or a waste, then student's will be at a great disadvantage.
Source: Ohler, J. (n.d.). Art Becomes the Next R. Google Docs. Retrieved September 25, 2011, from https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vCKbHYY-gzXtLXnLak8i_hoV7TPAOfxNIamNrkWW3Pc/edit?pli=1#
Related Resource:
Just an example of what can be created with digital media!
1. Rename art and get subversive. First-and I am only half-kidding-we need to rename art. The word comes with too much baggage. Being an artist implies a life of penury, emotional pain, and public misunderstanding. We need to demystify the nature of art and see it all around us, from the designs that underlie our tables and automobiles, to the aesthetics that imbue our Web sites, to the public sculptures that turn a building from a structure into a monument of public expression.
Reaction: Though a name can seem so trivial, I think Ohler really has a point here. There are a lot of words in the English language that come with a negative connotation. One example is the word lonely. If someone says that they are lonely then everyone assumes that they must be sad and in need of companionship, however; if someone were to say that they were independent instead of lonely, then people would think "good for them" because independent has a positive connotation. Art, in a sense, has almost become a four letter word, especially in the public school system. Administrators see it as a useless program that takes away from the budget, and more and more parents and less concerned with art and more concerned with the core classes. This is because when they think of art, they think of crazy artists and paintings, sculpture and other skills that they don't think will help their child get a job. Let's face it, not many parents are pushing their kids to become no-income struggling artists. However, what people need to realize is that art is many different things, including architechture, speaking, writing, and of course all of the countless forms of digital art. Art is a necessary skill for today's market and if it continues to be seen as useless or a waste, then student's will be at a great disadvantage.
Source: Ohler, J. (n.d.). Art Becomes the Next R. Google Docs. Retrieved September 25, 2011, from https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vCKbHYY-gzXtLXnLak8i_hoV7TPAOfxNIamNrkWW3Pc/edit?pli=1#
Related Resource:
Digital Story Project Blog
At first, I thought the digital story project was a little overwhelming, because it was difficult to decide exactly what aspect of teaching I wanted to make a story about and to decide the best way to represent what I picked. However, once I got past that point, I really enjoyed creating a digital story that was about aspects of teaching that are important to me. It was challenging to find the right pictures and words to get the right idea across, but it was still fun and forced you to be a little creative. Aside from all of the credit slide confusion, this was a fun project. I think this project fits Number 2a on the ISTE NETS Standards. It is,
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
I found a lesson plan called "Technostory" in which students had to create a digital story about themselves travelling through a magical land. Not only did the students get to be creative about the pictures and sounds used, but they got to come up with a really fun and creative story about the magical land and also about their adventures there. I think this is a good way to emphasize the storytelling itself over the digital medium.
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers:This project was based on a digital tool and definitely got students to be creative. Also, it is more difficult to show what you know or to make a point in so few words, therefore, students really have to have done their research or figured out exactly what the want to say in order to create the digital story.
a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.
I found a lesson plan called "Technostory" in which students had to create a digital story about themselves travelling through a magical land. Not only did the students get to be creative about the pictures and sounds used, but they got to come up with a really fun and creative story about the magical land and also about their adventures there. I think this is a good way to emphasize the storytelling itself over the digital medium.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Storytelling (DJE 4)
Quote: "The problem for many students is their focus on the power of the technology rather than the power of thier stories. Some students are engaging the medium at the expense of the message, producing a technical event rather than a story. Part of my task as a digital storytelling teacher is to teach students how to be storyrellers. Two important components of my approach to teaching storytelling are story mapping and practicing written and oral story telling before bringing in digital elements."
Reaction: I think that Ohler is right about students getting lost in the technology aspect of assignments like these. Even in our current digital storytelling assignment, I've been focusing more on all of the nifty things I can do with the story maker as opposed to putting most of my focus on the point of the story. If it's difficult for me as a college student, then younger students would definitely need to be taught more skills in that area. I also really like the way Ohler goes about teaching his students so that they can avoid losing their story in their digital medium. I think it's really a great thing that he teaches oral and written storytelling first, because those are important skills and without them the students would be overwhelmed by the idea of not only telling a story but telling it using digital media.
Resource: Ohler, J. (2005). The world of digital storytelling. Retrieved from http://www.jasonohler.com/pdfs/digitalStorytellingArticle1-2006.pdf
Related Resource:
Reaction: I think that Ohler is right about students getting lost in the technology aspect of assignments like these. Even in our current digital storytelling assignment, I've been focusing more on all of the nifty things I can do with the story maker as opposed to putting most of my focus on the point of the story. If it's difficult for me as a college student, then younger students would definitely need to be taught more skills in that area. I also really like the way Ohler goes about teaching his students so that they can avoid losing their story in their digital medium. I think it's really a great thing that he teaches oral and written storytelling first, because those are important skills and without them the students would be overwhelmed by the idea of not only telling a story but telling it using digital media.
Resource: Ohler, J. (2005). The world of digital storytelling. Retrieved from http://www.jasonohler.com/pdfs/digitalStorytellingArticle1-2006.pdf
Related Resource:
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
What kind of learner are you?
After taking the survery I learned that I have a mulimodal learning preference. My highest scores were in kinesthetic and reading/writing. My lowest score was aural which was a 2. I agree with this because I know that I learn more if I take notes or highlight things in my book than if I just listen to the teacher lecture or read. Also, I know that in many cases I am a hands on learner. I get more out of going on a field trip than just listening to the teacher tell me about something.
Picasso Head
Picasso Head
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
IDK how 2 spell tht (Double Entry Journal #3)
Quote: "For most of the history of the language, English speakers took a lackadaisical approach to spelling; the notion that a word should always be spelled the same way is a much more recent invention than the language itself. The standardization of English spelling began in the 16th century, and although it is unclear at exactly what point our spelling became set, what is certain is that ever since it happened, people have complained that the rules of spelling, such as they are, just don’t make sense."
Reaction: I had never thought of the English language or spelling like this before. When it comes to texting, e-mailing, and other forms of electronic communication, I am all about correct spelling and writing words out completely. I hate when I get a text that says HRU 2day. However, this article really made me think about why I feel that way. From a young age, children are taught that spelling is extremely important and they are forced to learn all of the crazy rules of the English language. After reading this, I'm really questioning just how important spelling is. If 2day and today sound the same and people can understand what is meant, then why does it matter what it looks like. The rules used in social speaking such as 2 for too,two,and to or U for you make sense and are actually a lot easier to understand than the rules the English language follows. I'm not sure that this article has completely changed my mind, but it definitely has me thinking.
Reference: SHEA, A. (n.d.). On Language - The Keypad Solution - NYTimes.com. NY Times Advertisement. Retrieved September 6, 2011, from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/magazine/24FOB-onlanguage-t.html
Related Resource: This Youtube video shows how different words have acquired new meanings since the explosion of the Internet.
Reaction: I had never thought of the English language or spelling like this before. When it comes to texting, e-mailing, and other forms of electronic communication, I am all about correct spelling and writing words out completely. I hate when I get a text that says HRU 2day. However, this article really made me think about why I feel that way. From a young age, children are taught that spelling is extremely important and they are forced to learn all of the crazy rules of the English language. After reading this, I'm really questioning just how important spelling is. If 2day and today sound the same and people can understand what is meant, then why does it matter what it looks like. The rules used in social speaking such as 2 for too,two,and to or U for you make sense and are actually a lot easier to understand than the rules the English language follows. I'm not sure that this article has completely changed my mind, but it definitely has me thinking.
Reference: SHEA, A. (n.d.). On Language - The Keypad Solution - NYTimes.com. NY Times Advertisement. Retrieved September 6, 2011, from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/magazine/24FOB-onlanguage-t.html
Related Resource: This Youtube video shows how different words have acquired new meanings since the explosion of the Internet.
Poll Everywhere, Wordle, and ISTE NETS-T
Poll Everywhere is a free website that allows you to create a question that can be answered by texting in or by answering on the computer. You can then use Wordle to make a collage of all of the answers that were sent to your poll. In our class we used Poll Everywhere to find out a little more about our classmates and then we used Wordle to create a collage of the answers we got and got to customize it with different colors and fonts and what not then posted it to our blogs.
One teacher used Poll Everywhere to introduce her students to her lesson on Social Media as a learning tool. She created a multiple choice poll that asked her students which social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, they used the most. Her students responded very well to the idea and were excited to be able to text in answers.
I think that by using Poll Everywhere in this way, this teacher engaged her students in her lesson and got them interested in what they were doing at the moment and what they would be doing for the rest of the school year. She also used not only a face to face environment but also a virtual environment in which the students answered her poll.
These activities would be extremely helpful tools in my future classroom. Allowing students to use their cell phones and computers for learning immediately gets them excited and interested and therefore makes them more attentive to the lessons you are teaching them. As an English teacher, Poll Everywhere would be a great way to find out what students are thinking about any literature that we may read, especially those students who would be too timid to voice their opinion to the class openly.
One teacher used Poll Everywhere to introduce her students to her lesson on Social Media as a learning tool. She created a multiple choice poll that asked her students which social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, they used the most. Her students responded very well to the idea and were excited to be able to text in answers.
I think that by using Poll Everywhere in this way, this teacher engaged her students in her lesson and got them interested in what they were doing at the moment and what they would be doing for the rest of the school year. She also used not only a face to face environment but also a virtual environment in which the students answered her poll.
These activities would be extremely helpful tools in my future classroom. Allowing students to use their cell phones and computers for learning immediately gets them excited and interested and therefore makes them more attentive to the lessons you are teaching them. As an English teacher, Poll Everywhere would be a great way to find out what students are thinking about any literature that we may read, especially those students who would be too timid to voice their opinion to the class openly.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Double Journal Entry #2
Quote: "Those of us studying electronically mediated communication (language produced on computers or mobile phones) have been looking for evidence that mediated language is changing traditional speech and writing. To our surprise, the list of effects is relatively short. Here are my candidates:
Reaction: I think this quote is so dead on in referring to acronyms that have been around forever such as RSVP. This quote in and of itself proves the point of Naomi Barron that acronyms do not have the power to "bring the English language to its knees." Instead of changing how our language works and how we communicate with each other as some people think is happening, the only thing that new acronyms such as "LOL" and "BRB" are just being added in to everyday conversations, and usually are only used in texting and iming not verbally. No one thought that RSVP, AWOL, or ASAP were going to ruin language or deteriorate students writing and speaking skills. These acronyms are simply short and sweet ways of saying longer phrases. I really don't understand why people get so worked up over a student accidentally using lol or btw in a paper because when you think about it, it's really no different than a spelling error. It is a mistake and isn't appropriate for school assignment, but it certainly doesn't suggest that the English language is crumbling under the pressure of these crazy, scary abbreviations.
Reference: Barron, Naomi. " Educational Leadership:Literacy 2.0:Are Digital Media Changing Language?." Membership, policy, and professional development for educators – ASCD. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Sept. 2011. <http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar09/vol66/num06/Are-Digital-Media-Changing-Language%C2%A2.aspx>.
Related Resource: This article, by Aliza Sherman, suggests that there is no right or wrong way to assimilate "Social Speaking" into our everyday lives. We just have to realize when it is appropriate and when we should steer clear of LOLs and BRBs. http://gigaom.com/collaboration/how-social-media-is-affecting-the-way-we-speak-and-write/
Incorporation of a few acronyms into everyday language. These days you sometimes hear students saying "brb" (be right back) to one another when they temporarily take their leave. I have also overheard "lol" (laughing out loud) in conversations among young people. However, these neologisms need to be put into perspective. Infusion of written acronyms into everyday speech is a common linguistic process—to wit, RSVP, AWOL, or ASAP. If a few more lexical shortenings make their way into general usage, that's nothing out of the ordinary."
Reaction: I think this quote is so dead on in referring to acronyms that have been around forever such as RSVP. This quote in and of itself proves the point of Naomi Barron that acronyms do not have the power to "bring the English language to its knees." Instead of changing how our language works and how we communicate with each other as some people think is happening, the only thing that new acronyms such as "LOL" and "BRB" are just being added in to everyday conversations, and usually are only used in texting and iming not verbally. No one thought that RSVP, AWOL, or ASAP were going to ruin language or deteriorate students writing and speaking skills. These acronyms are simply short and sweet ways of saying longer phrases. I really don't understand why people get so worked up over a student accidentally using lol or btw in a paper because when you think about it, it's really no different than a spelling error. It is a mistake and isn't appropriate for school assignment, but it certainly doesn't suggest that the English language is crumbling under the pressure of these crazy, scary abbreviations.
Reference: Barron, Naomi. " Educational Leadership:Literacy 2.0:Are Digital Media Changing Language?." Membership, policy, and professional development for educators – ASCD. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Sept. 2011. <http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar09/vol66/num06/Are-Digital-Media-Changing-Language%C2%A2.aspx>.
Related Resource: This article, by Aliza Sherman, suggests that there is no right or wrong way to assimilate "Social Speaking" into our everyday lives. We just have to realize when it is appropriate and when we should steer clear of LOLs and BRBs. http://gigaom.com/collaboration/how-social-media-is-affecting-the-way-we-speak-and-write/
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Double Entry Journal #1
Quote: "Simply put, we can’t keep preparing students for a world that doesn’t exist. We can’t keep ignoring the formidable cognitive skills they’re developing on their own. And above all, we must stop disparaging digital prowess just because some of us over 40 don’t happen to possess it. An institutional grudge match with the young can sabotage an entire culture."
Reaction: I could not agree more with this particular quote. I have had many teachers that have been in the field for 25 years or more and that refuse to even try and get in to or keep up with the digital age. It is a constant battle because these teachers just want to continue to do things the way they have always been done instead of trying to adjust to the way that students growing up in today's world learn and achieve. While I understand that sometimes it is necessary to use methods such as lecturing to teach a lesson, I think it is a great crime to students not to take advantage of all of the new technologies that could be used to make learning more personal and likeable for each student. Students are capable of doing a lot more and learning a lot more than what they are given credit for. I think that if they are given the opportunity to use the technologies that they've grown up with and enjoy having, then students will become much more engaged and ultimately achieve more in school.
Reference:
Heffernan, Virginia. (2011, August 7). Education needs a digital-age upgrade. The New York Times , Retrieved from http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/education-needs-a-digital-age-upgrade/?hp
Related Resources: Throughout the article, Heffernan refers to the "institutional grudge match" that is occuring between students and educators. The article Upgrading Schools for A Digital World by John Florez talks more about why the education system needs to catch up with the digital age that we live in.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700170486/Upgrading-schools-for-a-digital-world.html
Reaction: I could not agree more with this particular quote. I have had many teachers that have been in the field for 25 years or more and that refuse to even try and get in to or keep up with the digital age. It is a constant battle because these teachers just want to continue to do things the way they have always been done instead of trying to adjust to the way that students growing up in today's world learn and achieve. While I understand that sometimes it is necessary to use methods such as lecturing to teach a lesson, I think it is a great crime to students not to take advantage of all of the new technologies that could be used to make learning more personal and likeable for each student. Students are capable of doing a lot more and learning a lot more than what they are given credit for. I think that if they are given the opportunity to use the technologies that they've grown up with and enjoy having, then students will become much more engaged and ultimately achieve more in school.
Reference:
Heffernan, Virginia. (2011, August 7). Education needs a digital-age upgrade. The New York Times , Retrieved from http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/education-needs-a-digital-age-upgrade/?hp
Related Resources: Throughout the article, Heffernan refers to the "institutional grudge match" that is occuring between students and educators. The article Upgrading Schools for A Digital World by John Florez talks more about why the education system needs to catch up with the digital age that we live in.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700170486/Upgrading-schools-for-a-digital-world.html
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
About Me
My name is Sarah Queen. I am from Clarksburg, WV and I am a Secondary English Education major. I would like to teach high school level English, especially at the 11th and 12th grade levels. I think that students learn best in an interactive and hands on environment. No student wants to be lectured for an hour on something they do not yet comprehend, but if you involve them in their own learning they are much more likely to be interested and understand what you're trying to teach them. Instead of lecturing students on different types of poetry, I'd have them write their own and then do research to discover what type of poetry they wrote, whether it be Haiku or Sestina.
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